County · Montana
Pondera County, Montana
Pondera County, Montana. Pondera County had 6,072 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 10 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 30073.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,072
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,898 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,035
Median household income
$52,338
±$4,638 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$206,100
±$21,406 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$784
±$117 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Pondera County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,898 residents in Pondera County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,072 for July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,035 over 1,625 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pondera County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,035 | 1,116,875 | +41 |
| Households | 2,268±106 | 458,859 | +165 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.12 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,754±29 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Pondera County's population since 2000
From 6,424 in 2000 to 6,072 in 2025: down 5.5%. 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 Pondera County?
Pondera County holds 10 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Conrad with 2,393 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Conrad | 2,318 | $47,857 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Butte | 621 | $31,389 |
| Valier | 530 | $53,021 |
| New Miami ColonyGEOID 3053476 | 297 | $2,500 or less |
| Birch Creek ColonyGEOID 3006815 | 120 | $2,500 or less |
| BradyGEOID 3009250 | 116 | $68,750 |
| Pondera ColonyGEOID 3058834 | 113 | not published |
| Midway ColonyGEOID 3049418 | 100 | not published |
| Kingsbury ColonyGEOID 3040720 | 96 | not published |
| DupuyerGEOID 3022450 | 93 | $110,000 |
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 Pondera County?
The median resident of Pondera County is 42.0 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 21.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.9%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 14.6%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pondera County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±1.2 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.8%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.9%±0.1 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% | 4.6% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.9%±0.5 pts | 83.6% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 14.6%±1.0 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 | 3.0%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.8%±3.0 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±1.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 19.2%±2.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±1.7 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.1%±2.8 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.1%±3.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±1.7 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.1 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 Pondera County earn?
Half of Pondera County's 2,268 households earn less than $52,338 a year (±$4,638), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,951 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $10,613 after inflation. 21.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pondera County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,338±$4,638 | $72,509 | −$10,613 |
| Mean household income | $72,767±$5,931 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,283±$2,097 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.9%±3.3 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.3%±6.9 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.0%±2.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.8%±3.3 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 Pondera County?
Owners occupy 67.7% of Pondera County's occupied homes and renters 32.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $206,100 by its owner (±$21,406). The median renter pays $784 a month including utilities, and 30.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pondera County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $206,100±$21,406 | $375,800 | +$43,771 |
| Median gross rent | $784±$117 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.0%±8.8 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,328±$121 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.7%±4.7 pts | 69.2% | −6.9 pts |
| Housing units | 2,754±29 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.0%±1.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.5%±6.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.7%±4.2 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0%±3.2 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.4%±4.4 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 Pondera County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Pondera 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 Pondera County get to work?
69.6% of Pondera County's workers drive alone and 9.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Pondera County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.9%±2.9 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±1.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.6%±4.0 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 11.0%±4.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.6%±3.1 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.2 min±1.9 | 19.1 min | +5.2 min |
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 Pondera County's census tracts?
Pondera County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,538 (Tract 9772) to $53,125 (Tract 9770).
| Tract 977030073977000 | 3,712±216 | $53,125 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 977230073977200 | 2,323±216 | $51,538 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pondera County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 33rd of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 56 |
| Median household income | 51st of 56 |
| Median home value | 37th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 32nd of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51st of 56 |
| Median age | 39th 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 Pondera 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.