County · Montana
Rosebud County, Montana
Rosebud County, Montana. Rosebud County had 8,253 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.0% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. It holds 6 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 30087.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,253
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,329 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,165
Median household income
$49,914
±$14,727 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$182,400
±$30,038 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$672
±$48 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Rosebud County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,329 residents in Rosebud County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,253 for July 1, 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, while Montana grew 5.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,165 over 5,008 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rosebud County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,165 | 1,116,875 | −987 |
| Households | 3,070±134 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.63±0.11 | 2.37 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 3,779±24 | 528,419 | −380 |
Rosebud County's population since 2000
From 9,383 in 2000 to 8,253 in 2025: down 12.0%. 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 Rosebud County?
Rosebud County holds 6 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Colstrip with 2,091 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Rosebud County?
The median resident of Rosebud County is 38.0 years old; 28.3% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 51.4%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 36.8%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rosebud County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±1.1 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 28.3%±0.3 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6%±0.5 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 4.6% | −1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 51.4%±2.0 pts | 83.6% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 36.8%±1.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±2.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.6%±2.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.6%±3.0 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9%±1.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.2%±4.6 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7%±2.3 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9%±3.0 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.7 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.7 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 Rosebud County earn?
Half of Rosebud County's 3,070 households earn less than $49,914 a year (±$14,727), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,370 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $21,456 after inflation. 24.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rosebud County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,914±$14,727 | $72,509 | −$21,456 |
| Mean household income | $76,442±$6,063 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,231±$1,989 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.5%±4.5 pts | 11.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 37.8%±8.9 pts | 12.7% | +20.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5%±3.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.4%±3.6 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 Rosebud County?
Owners occupy 63.6% of Rosebud County's occupied homes and renters 36.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $182,400 by its owner (±$30,038). The median renter pays $672 a month including utilities, and 30.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rosebud County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $182,400±$30,038 | $375,800 | +$40,993 |
| Median gross rent | $672±$48 | $1,081 | −$73 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.6%±9.6 pts | 35.5% | +12.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,361±$236 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.6%±4.5 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,779±24 | 528,419 | −380 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8%±4.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.4%±4.3 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.5%±3.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.2%±2.6 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 Rosebud County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Rosebud County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.2 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 Rosebud County get to work?
73.0% of Rosebud County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.6%.
| Measure | Rosebud County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.3%±3.7 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6%±3.9 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.0%±4.2 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.2%±3.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 6.2%±2.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±2.5 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.5 min±1.7 | 19.1 min | +2.2 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 Rosebud County's census tracts?
Rosebud County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,318 (Tract 9404) to $82,500 (Tract 3).
| Tract 130087000100 | 2,174±251 | $58,681 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 230087000200 | 1,185±174 | $46,611 |
| Tract 330087000300 | 2,101±286 | $82,500 |
| Tract 940430087940400 | 2,705±244 | $34,318 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rosebud County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 27th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 43rd of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 39th of 56 |
| Median household income | 53rd of 56 |
| Median home value | 46th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 56 |
| Median age | 47th 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 Rosebud 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.