County · Montana
Musselshell County, Montana
Musselshell County, Montana. Musselshell County had 5,582 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 17.9% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 7 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 30065.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,582
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,730 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,152 ±173
Median household income
$58,920
±$9,325 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$235,000
±$20,782 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$1,138
±$614 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Musselshell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,730 residents in Musselshell County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,582 for July 1, 2025, up 17.9% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,152 over 1,869 square miles of land.
| Measure | Musselshell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,152±173 | 1,116,875 | +386 |
| Households | 2,148±139 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.15 | 2.37 | +0.20 |
| Housing units | 2,663±83 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Musselshell County's population since 2000
From 4,497 in 2000 to 5,582 in 2025: up 24.1%. 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 Musselshell County?
Musselshell County holds 7 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Roundup with 2,075 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Roundup | 1,742 | $57,847 |
|---|---|---|
| KleinGEOID 3041050 | 163 | $50,737 |
| Camp ThreeGEOID 3011995 | 138 | $58,000 |
| MelstoneGEOID 3049000 | 126 | $65,625 |
| MusselshellGEOID 3052600 | 59 | not published |
| Flat Willow ColonyGEOID 3026733 | 15 | not published |
| Kilby Butte ColonyGEOID 3040680 | 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 Musselshell County?
The median resident of Musselshell County is 51.3 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 29.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Musselshell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.3±2.3 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.4%±1.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.0%±1.3 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3%±0.7 pts | 4.6% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.6%±3.0 pts | 83.6% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.6%±1.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±2.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±3.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.5%±2.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 23.1%±4.1 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1%±5.1 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.3%±3.3 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.4%±4.0 pts | 35.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±2.9 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0%±1.9 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 Musselshell County earn?
Half of Musselshell County's 2,148 households earn less than $58,920 a year (±$9,325), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $53,257 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Musselshell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,920±$9,325 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,399±$12,651 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,460±$5,229 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0%±5.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.0%±13.2 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.2%±3.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.4%±4.9 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 Musselshell County?
Owners occupy 85.1% of Musselshell County's occupied homes and renters 14.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $235,000 by its owner (±$20,782). The median renter pays $1,138 a month including utilities, and 41.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Musselshell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $235,000±$20,782 | $375,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,138±$614 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.0%±17.4 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,382±$194 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.1%±4.7 pts | 69.2% | +13.1 pts |
| Housing units | 2,663±83 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.5%±2.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±8.9 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.3%±4.6 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.0%±4.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.9%±4.5 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 Musselshell County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Musselshell County in 2025 (3 single-family), 1.3 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 Musselshell County get to work?
59.1% of Musselshell County's workers drive alone and 22.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.2%.
| Measure | Musselshell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.8%±4.8 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.2%±4.2 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.1%±6.3 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8%±4.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 5.8%±3.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 22.8%±5.1 pts | 12.5% | +9.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±3.1 | 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 Musselshell County's census tracts?
Musselshell County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,393 (Tract 2) to $59,844 (Tract 1).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Musselshell County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 35th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 2nd of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 56 |
| Median household income | 38th of 56 |
| Median home value | 29th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 56 |
| Median age | 12th 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 Musselshell 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.