County · Montana
Silver Bow County, Montana
Silver Bow County, Montana. Silver Bow County had 36,118 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 30093.
Silver Bow County is the county of the Butte-Silver Bow, MT micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,118
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,133 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,785
Median household income
$61,754
±$3,962 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$255,200
±$14,456 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$863
±$78 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Silver Bow County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 35,133 residents in Silver Bow County. The Census Bureau estimates 36,118 for July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,785 over 718 square miles of land.
| Measure | Silver Bow County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,785 | 1,116,875 | +1,015 |
| Households | 15,419±302 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.04 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,499±52 | 528,419 | +257 |
Silver Bow County's population since 2000
From 34,606 in 2000 to 36,118 in 2025: up 4.4%. 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 Silver Bow County?
Silver Bow County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Butte-Silver Bow with 35,469 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Butte-Silver Bow | 34,494 | $61,857 |
|---|---|---|
| Walkerville | 639 | $48,750 |
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 Silver Bow County?
The median resident of Silver Bow County is 40.5 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.6%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Silver Bow County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5±0.8 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5%±0.3 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 4.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.1%±0.5 pts | 83.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.6 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 | 4.2%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.1%±1.2 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 18.5%±1.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±1.2 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.0%±1.2 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.0%±2.3 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±1.3 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±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 Silver Bow County earn?
Half of Silver Bow County's 15,419 households earn less than $61,754 a year (±$3,962), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,265 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,489 after inflation. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Silver Bow County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,754±$3,962 | $72,509 | +$5,489 |
| Mean household income | $80,950±$5,854 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,951±$2,695 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8%±2.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.2%±3.8 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.2%±2.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.5%±2.3 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 Silver Bow County?
Owners occupy 70.8% of Silver Bow County's occupied homes and renters 29.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $255,200 by its owner (±$14,456). The median renter pays $863 a month including utilities, and 43.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Silver Bow County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $255,200±$14,456 | $375,800 | +$70,842 |
| Median gross rent | $863±$78 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.1%±6.6 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,427±$67 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.8%±2.6 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 17,499±52 | 528,419 | +257 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.8%±4.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.1%±2.5 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.1%±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 Silver Bow County building?
Builders took permits for 130 new housing units across Silver Bow County in 2025 (81 single-family), 3.6 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 Silver Bow County get to work?
76.5% of Silver Bow County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Silver Bow County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.8%±2.0 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.3 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.5%±2.7 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9%±2.0 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±1.5 pts | 12.5% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.9 min±1.4 | 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 Silver Bow County's census tracts?
Silver Bow County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,339 (Tract 1.02) to $89,453 (Tract 7).
| Tract 1.0130093000101 | 1,830±252 | $44,138 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1.0230093000102 | 2,937±430 | $26,339 |
| Tract 230093000200 | 5,078±518 | $52,011 |
| Tract 330093000300 | 2,631±361 | $58,026 |
| Tract 430093000400 | 4,085±475 | $65,959 |
| Tract 530093000500 | 4,991±432 | $73,517 |
| Tract 630093000600 | 4,686±441 | $47,031 |
| Tract 730093000700 | 3,310±400 | $89,453 |
| Tract 830093000800 | 6,237±652 | $83,876 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Silver Bow County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 56 |
| Median household income | 33rd of 56 |
| Median home value | 25th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 56 |
| Median age | 42nd 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 Silver Bow 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.