County · Montana
Lincoln County, Montana
Lincoln County, Montana. Lincoln County had 22,328 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 13.5% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 15 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 30053.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,328
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,677 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,175
Median household income
$47,143
±$5,050 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$296,500
±$22,213 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$762
±$90 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Lincoln County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,677 residents in Lincoln County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,328 for July 1, 2025, up 13.5% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,175 over 3,613 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,175 | 1,116,875 | +1,638 |
| Households | 9,082±263 | 458,859 | +960 |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.07 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,006±29 | 528,419 | −585 |
Lincoln County's population since 2000
From 18,837 in 2000 to 22,328 in 2025: up 18.5%. 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County holds 15 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 census-designated places. The largest is Libby with 3,274 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Libby | 2,775 | $34,143 |
|---|---|---|
| Eureka | 1,380 | $38,750 |
| Pioneer JunctionGEOID 3057950 | 902 | $59,107 |
| TroyGEOID 3075025 | 797 | $32,250 |
| TregoGEOID 3074725 | 515 | $108,750 |
| White HavenGEOID 3079935 | 499 | $41,154 |
| West KootenaiGEOID 3079105 | 422 | $93,869 |
| Yaak | 338 | $60,000 |
| FortineGEOID 3028150 | 317 | $66,402 |
| Bull LakeGEOID 3010935 | 180 | not published |
| Happys InnGEOID 3034110 | 179 | $40,221 |
| SylvaniteGEOID 3073165 | 98 | $61,000 |
| Indian SpringsGEOID 3038480 | 85 | not published |
| RexfordGEOID 3062200 | 78 | $51,406 |
| StrykerGEOID 3071575 | 25 | 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 Lincoln County?
The median resident of Lincoln County is 52.8 years old; 18.1% are under 18 and 30.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.3%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.8±0.5 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.1%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 30.1%±0.3 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 4.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±1.1 pts | 83.6% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.3%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.7%±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.4%±1.7 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 22.9%±2.3 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.9%±2.8 pts | 8.6% | +4.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±1.9 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.9%±2.3 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.3 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0%±1.8 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 Lincoln County earn?
Half of Lincoln County's 9,082 households earn less than $47,143 a year (±$5,050), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $49,400 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,143±$5,050 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $66,699±$4,184 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,958±$1,615 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.4%±2.8 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.8%±8.0 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.2%±2.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±2.3 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 Lincoln County?
Owners occupy 77.6% of Lincoln County's occupied homes and renters 22.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $296,500 by its owner (±$22,213). The median renter pays $762 a month including utilities, and 36.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $296,500±$22,213 | $375,800 | +$52,576 |
| Median gross rent | $762±$90 | $1,081 | −$141 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.9%±9.7 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,453±$153 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.6%±2.8 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,006±29 | 528,419 | −585 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.7%±2.8 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.0%±2.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.1%±2.1 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 Lincoln County building?
Builders took permits for 27 new housing units across Lincoln County in 2025 (6 single-family), 1.2 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 Lincoln County get to work?
59.7% of Lincoln County's workers drive alone and 15.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.7%±2.5 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±2.4 pts | 3.6% | −4.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 59.7%±4.9 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.8%±3.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.5%±3.3 pts | 12.5% | +9.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.5 min±2.8 | 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 Lincoln County's census tracts?
Lincoln County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,455 (Tract 2) to $67,639 (Tract 4.01).
| Tract 130053000100 | 3,495±377 | $42,380 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 230053000200 | 2,756±214 | $30,455 |
| Tract 330053000300 | 4,233±432 | $54,202 |
| Tract 4.0130053000401 | 4,321±445 | $67,639 |
| Tract 4.0230053000402 | 2,989±448 | $50,136 |
| Tract 530053000500 | 3,381±508 | $39,712 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lincoln County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 5th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th of 56 |
| Median household income | 55th of 56 |
| Median home value | 20th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 37th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53rd of 56 |
| Median age | 8th 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 Lincoln 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.