County · Montana
Stillwater County, Montana
Stillwater County, Montana. Stillwater County had 9,445 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.4% since 2020, in line with Montana (+5.6%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough and 6 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 30095.
Stillwater County is one of the 3 counties of the Billings, MT metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,445
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,963 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,182
Median household income
$84,732
±$8,032 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$405,800
±$23,525 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$961
±$47 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Stillwater County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,963 residents in Stillwater County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,445 for July 1, 2025, up 5.4% since 2020, in line with Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,182 over 1,797 square miles of land.
| Measure | Stillwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,182 | 1,116,875 | −284 |
| Households | 3,810±136 | 458,859 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.08 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,657±23 | 528,419 | −209 |
Stillwater County's population since 2000
From 8,195 in 2000 to 9,445 in 2025: up 15.3%. 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 Stillwater County?
Stillwater County holds 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Columbus with 1,964 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Columbus | 1,857 | $65,250 |
|---|---|---|
| Park City | 1,023 | $54,637 |
| Absarokee | 1,000 | $77,143 |
| Reed PointGEOID 3061900 | 177 | not published |
| RapeljeGEOID 3060850 | 88 | $87,750 |
| FishtailGEOID 3026575 | 67 | not published |
| NyeGEOID 3055075 | 38 | $103,542 |
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 Stillwater County?
The median resident of Stillwater County is 46.7 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 25.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.7%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Stillwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7±0.5 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0%±0.2 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.2%±0.2 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 4.6% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.0%±0.4 pts | 83.6% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.3%±1.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3%±1.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±1.4 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6%±1.4 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.3%±2.8 pts | 35.2% | +7.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8%±1.7 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.9 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 Stillwater County earn?
Half of Stillwater County's 3,810 households earn less than $84,732 a year (±$8,032), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $79,558 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Stillwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,732±$8,032 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $116,762±$9,094 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $50,603±$3,961 | $41,711 | +$10,850 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3%±1.7 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.7%±3.1 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.6%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.8%±2.5 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 Stillwater County?
Owners occupy 82.9% of Stillwater County's occupied homes and renters 17.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $405,800 by its owner (±$23,525). The median renter pays $961 a month including utilities, and 26.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Stillwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $405,800±$23,525 | $375,800 | +$91,358 |
| Median gross rent | $961±$47 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.7%±9.6 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,946±$112 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.9%±2.7 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,657±23 | 528,419 | −209 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4%±4.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.6%±2.3 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.4%±1.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.5%±2.5 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 Stillwater County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Stillwater 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 Stillwater County get to work?
60.4% of Stillwater County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Stillwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9%±2.4 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.6 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 60.4%±4.5 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 22.4%±3.8 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.5%±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±1.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±2.7 pts | 12.5% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.5 min±2.8 | 19.1 min | +5.8 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 Stillwater County's census tracts?
Stillwater County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $81,714 (Tract 9665) to $87,750 (Tract 9664).
| Tract 966430095966400 | 3,943±253 | $87,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 966530095966500 | 2,069±192 | $81,714 |
| Tract 966630095966600 | 3,170±274 | $87,105 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Stillwater County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 56 |
| Median household income | 3rd of 56 |
| Median home value | 11th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 56 |
| Median age | 21st 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 Stillwater 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.