County · Montana
Powell County, Montana
Powell County, Montana. Powell County had 7,157 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 8 places (1 city, village or borough and 7 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 30077.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,157
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,946 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,053
Median household income
$66,923
±$11,061 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$306,500
±$60,519 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$820
±$85 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Powell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,946 residents in Powell County. The Census Bureau estimates 7,157 for July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,053 over 2,326 square miles of land.
| Measure | Powell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,053 | 1,116,875 | +199 |
| Households | 2,432±130 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.22±0.12 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,006±34 | 528,419 | −197 |
Powell County's population since 2000
From 7,180 in 2000 to 7,157 in 2025: down 0.3%. 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 Powell County?
Powell County holds 8 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Deer Lodge with 3,025 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Deer Lodge | 2,938 | $60,302 |
|---|---|---|
| EllistonGEOID 3023950 | 227 | $53,125 |
| GarrisonGEOID 3030175 | 115 | $93,625 |
| AvonGEOID 3003175 | 114 | $100,250 |
| OvandoGEOID 3056125 | 83 | $52,679 |
| RacetrackGEOID 3060400 | 42 | not published |
| HelmvilleGEOID 3035725 | 38 | $152,969 |
| GoldcreekGEOID 3031825 | 9 | 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 Powell County?
The median resident of Powell County is 45.8 years old; 13.3% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.8%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 4.6%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Powell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8±1.0 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 13.3%±0.6 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9%±0.4 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.8%±0.9 pts | 83.6% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 4.6%±2.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.2%±1.7 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.2%±2.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 21.9%±3.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±2.3 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.6%±1.7 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.3%±3.5 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±1.5 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±1.7 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 Powell County earn?
Half of Powell County's 2,432 households earn less than $66,923 a year (±$11,061), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $67,278 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Powell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,923±$11,061 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,677±$9,614 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,029±$3,312 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.6%±2.0 pts | 11.5% | −6.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.8%±5.7 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.7%±3.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8%±5.5 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 Powell County?
Owners occupy 72.5% of Powell County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $306,500 by its owner (±$60,519). The median renter pays $820 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Powell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $306,500±$60,519 | $375,800 | +$130,388 |
| Median gross rent | $820±$85 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 7.9%±5.7 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,568±$145 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±5.4 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,006±34 | 528,419 | −197 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.9%±4.9 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.9%±3.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.6%±4.2 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 Powell County building?
Builders took permits for 88 new housing units across Powell County in 2025 (58 single-family), 12.3 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 Powell County get to work?
74.9% of Powell County's workers drive alone and 9.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.1 minutes.
| Measure | Powell County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.8%±2.7 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±2.5 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9%±5.7 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.0%±4.5 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±2.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.4%±3.2 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.1 min±2.7 | 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 Powell County's census tracts?
Powell County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $62,432 (Tract 2) to $77,292 (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 Powell County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 30th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 56 |
| Median household income | 28th of 56 |
| Median home value | 19th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 55th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 56 |
| Median age | 26th 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 Powell 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.