County · Montana
Chouteau County, Montana
Chouteau County, Montana. Chouteau County had 5,865 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. It holds 13 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 30015.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,865
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,895 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,906
Median household income
$58,218
±$4,666 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$207,800
±$28,387 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$536
±$101 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Chouteau County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,895 residents in Chouteau County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,865 for July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,906 over 3,973 square miles of land.
| Measure | Chouteau County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,906 | 1,116,875 | +174 |
| Households | 2,159±103 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.67±0.13 | 2.37 | +0.18 |
| Housing units | 2,885±37 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Chouteau County's population since 2000
From 5,970 in 2000 to 5,865 in 2025: down 1.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Chouteau County?
Chouteau County holds 13 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Fort Benton with 1,416 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort Benton | 1,449 | $67,188 |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Boy West | 1,042 | $63,125 |
| Big Sandy | 605 | $60,521 |
| BoneauGEOID 3008162 | 365 | $43,056 |
| Geraldine | 207 | $43,036 |
| HighwoodGEOID 3036250 | 165 | $85,500 |
| LomaGEOID 3044800 | 65 | $51,227 |
| CarterGEOID 3012625 | 65 | not published |
| Twin Hills ColonyGEOID 3075590 | 39 | not published |
| Square ButteGEOID 3070600 | 27 | $48,500 |
| FlowereeGEOID 3027025 | 19 | $123,125 |
| Parker SchoolGEOID 3056650 | 388 | not published |
| Sunnybrook ColonyGEOID 3072305 | 0 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chouteau County?
The median resident of Chouteau County is 43.0 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 23.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.4%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 16.6%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chouteau County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0±1.4 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3%±0.5 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.4%±0.5 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 4.6% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.4%±0.8 pts | 83.6% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 16.6%±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±2.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±2.1 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7%±1.8 pts | 8.6% | −5.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±2.0 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.0%±3.4 pts | 35.2% | −5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±1.6 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chouteau County earn?
Half of Chouteau County's 2,159 households earn less than $58,218 a year (±$4,666), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $52,056 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,162 after inflation. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chouteau County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,218±$4,666 | $72,509 | +$6,162 |
| Mean household income | $78,673±$5,939 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,122±$2,335 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±2.7 pts | 11.5% | −5.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.8%±4.1 pts | 12.7% | −8.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±2.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.4%±4.3 pts | 89.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chouteau County?
Owners occupy 68.2% of Chouteau County's occupied homes and renters 31.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $207,800 by its owner (±$28,387). The median renter pays $536 a month including utilities, and 21.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chouteau County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $207,800±$28,387 | $375,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $536±$101 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 21.0%±8.7 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,239±$125 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.2%±4.0 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,885±37 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.6%±4.5 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.9%±4.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.6%±3.5 pts | 12.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Chouteau County building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units across Chouteau County in 2025 (18 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chouteau County get to work?
68.7% of Chouteau County's workers drive alone and 12.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Chouteau County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.5%±2.9 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.7%±4.0 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.8%±3.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 6.7%±2.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.5%±3.1 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.5 min±1.4 | 19.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Chouteau County's census tracts?
Chouteau County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,402 (Tract 103) to $68,261 (Tract 102).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Chouteau County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st of 56 |
| Median household income | 41st of 56 |
| Median home value | 36th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39th of 56 |
| Median age | 34th of 56 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chouteau County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.