County · Montana
Golden Valley County, Montana
Golden Valley County, Montana. Golden Valley County had 844 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.2% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 30037.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
844
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 823 · ACS 2020-2024: 899 ±128
Median household income
$58,333
±$10,418 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$212,200
±$36,694 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$783
±$206 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Golden Valley County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 823 residents in Golden Valley County. The Census Bureau estimates 844 for July 1, 2025, up 2.2% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 899 over 1,174 square miles of land.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 899±128 | 1,116,875 | +171 |
| Households | 376±47 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.32±0.32 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 482±44 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Golden Valley County's population since 2000
From 1,042 in 2000 to 844 in 2025: down 19.0%. 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 Golden Valley County?
Golden Valley County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Ryegate with 228 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Golden Valley County?
The median resident of Golden Valley County is 50.9 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 28.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.9±12.5 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.2%±5.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.8%±4.8 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3%±4.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.3%±5.1 pts | 83.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±3.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±2.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8%±2.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.0%±3.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.9%±4.3 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 18.1%±3.8 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 22.9%±4.6 pts | 8.6% | +12.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.5%±5.4 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9%±4.9 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±1.3 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±2.2 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 Golden Valley County earn?
Half of Golden Valley County's 376 households earn less than $58,333 a year (±$10,418), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $53,997 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,333±$10,418 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,963±$8,822 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,951±$5,302 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0%±6.0 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.4%±7.3 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.8%±1.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.2%±6.7 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 Golden Valley County?
Owners occupy 81.1% of Golden Valley County's occupied homes and renters 18.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $212,200 by its owner (±$36,694). The median renter pays $783 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $212,200±$36,694 | $375,800 | +$81,623 |
| Median gross rent | $783±$206 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 15.8%±12.1 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,454±$161 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.1%±6.6 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 482±44 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±9.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±30.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.0%±6.6 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.9%±5.2 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.9%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.9%±6.0 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 do people in Golden Valley County get to work?
45.4% of Golden Valley County's workers drive alone and 14.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.0 minutes.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.2%±7.5 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5%±1.1 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 45.4%±9.8 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.1%±5.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±7.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 22.7%±9.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.1%±7.1 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.0 min±8.0 | 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 Golden Valley County's census tracts?
Golden Valley County is a single census tract.
| Tract 130037000100 | 899±128 | $58,333 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Golden Valley County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 32nd of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th of 56 |
| Median household income | 40th of 56 |
| Median home value | 34th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 56 |
| Median age | 13th 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 Golden Valley 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.