County · Montana
Phillips County, Montana
Phillips County, Montana. Phillips County had 4,203 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. It holds 9 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 30071.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,203
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,217 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,221
Median household income
$53,417
±$2,401 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$197,600
±$44,618 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$536
±$183 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Phillips County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 4,217 residents in Phillips County. The Census Bureau estimates 4,203 for July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 4,221 over 5,140 square miles of land.
| Measure | Phillips County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,221 | 1,116,875 | +144 |
| Households | 1,765±102 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.13 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,233±15 | 528,419 | −119 |
Phillips County's population since 2000
From 4,601 in 2000 to 4,203 in 2025: down 8.7%. 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 Phillips County?
Phillips County holds 9 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Malta with 1,846 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Malta | 1,860 | $54,483 |
|---|---|---|
| SacoGEOID 3065050 | 159 | $48,500 |
| DodsonGEOID 3021025 | 125 | $40,804 |
| East Malta ColonyGEOID 3023168 | 97 | not published |
| ZortmanGEOID 3082675 | 82 | not published |
| WhitewaterGEOID 3080200 | 75 | $34,583 |
| Loring ColonyGEOID 3045179 | 48 | not published |
| LanduskyGEOID 3042325 | 22 | not published |
| Sleeping BuffaloGEOID 3068985 | 12 | 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 Phillips County?
The median resident of Phillips County is 45.6 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 24.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 8.7%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Phillips County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.6±1.3 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.0% | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.0%±2.0 pts | 83.6% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.5%±2.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.7%±2.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±1.7 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.0%±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±2.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 17.3%±3.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±2.9 pts | 8.6% | −8.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1%±2.1 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.4%±5.2 pts | 35.2% | +8.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±2.7 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±2.6 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 Phillips County earn?
Half of Phillips County's 1,765 households earn less than $53,417 a year (±$2,401), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $56,873 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Phillips County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,417±$2,401 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,167±$7,791 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,106±$3,668 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.5%±3.6 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.9%±9.4 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.0%±4.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.0%±3.5 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 Phillips County?
Owners occupy 73.5% of Phillips County's occupied homes and renters 26.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $197,600 by its owner (±$44,618). The median renter pays $536 a month including utilities, and 31.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Phillips County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $197,600±$44,618 | $375,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $536±$183 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.3%±17.5 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,622±$52 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.5%±6.2 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,233±15 | 528,419 | −119 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±4.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.5%±5.0 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.6%±4.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±2.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.6%±5.4 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 Phillips County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Phillips County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Phillips County get to work?
60.8% of Phillips County's workers drive alone and 18.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.6 minutes.
| Measure | Phillips County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.1%±4.6 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±2.0 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 60.8%±6.6 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.4%±5.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 7.6%±3.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.7%±5.0 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.6 min±2.0 | 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 Phillips County's census tracts?
Phillips County is a single census tract.
| Tract 60230071060200 | 4,221 | $53,417 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Phillips County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 56 |
| Median household income | 49th of 56 |
| Median home value | 42nd of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 56 |
| Median age | 27th 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 Phillips 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.