County · Montana
Yellowstone County, Montana
Yellowstone County, Montana. Yellowstone County had 172,692 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 13 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 census-designated) and 36 census tracts. GEOID 30111.
Yellowstone 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
172,692
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 164,731 · ACS 2020-2024: 168,957
Median household income
$76,570
±$2,657 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$349,500
±$5,510 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$1,131
±$37 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Yellowstone County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 164,731 residents in Yellowstone County. The Census Bureau estimates 172,692 for July 1, 2025, up 4.8% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 168,957 over 2,633 square miles of land.
| Measure | Yellowstone County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 168,957 | 1,116,875 | +9,949 |
| Households | 69,897±695 | 458,859 | +3,512 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.02 | 2.37 | +0.03 |
| Housing units | 74,239±78 | 528,419 | +3,055 |
Yellowstone County's population since 2000
From 129,352 in 2000 to 172,692 in 2025: up 33.5%. 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 Yellowstone County?
Yellowstone County holds 13 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Billings with 121,239 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Billings | 117,116 | $73,712 |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel | 7,222 | $68,474 |
| Lockwood | 7,195 | $75,700 |
| WordenGEOID 3081925 | 582 | not published |
| ShepherdGEOID 3067525 | 507 | $80,125 |
| HuntleyGEOID 3038200 | 442 | $94,821 |
| BallantineGEOID 3003625 | 293 | not published |
| BroadviewGEOID 3009775 | 139 | $78,438 |
| Mountain View ColonyGEOID 3052185 | 125 | not published |
| Custer | 119 | $82,500 |
| NibbeGEOID 3053800 | 71 | not published |
| Pompeys PillarGEOID 3058825 | 51 | not published |
| ActonGEOID 3000400 | 48 | $36,042 |
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 Yellowstone County?
The median resident of Yellowstone County is 39.0 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 18.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.6%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Yellowstone County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0±0.3 | 40.4 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.0% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.3%±0.1 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.6% | 4.6% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.4%±0.5 pts | 83.6% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.3 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 | 4.7%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.3%±0.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±0.8 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±0.9 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.5%±0.5 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.1%±1.2 pts | 35.2% | +2.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.4%±0.8 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5%±0.5 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 Yellowstone County earn?
Half of Yellowstone County's 69,897 households earn less than $76,570 a year (±$2,657), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $75,397 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Yellowstone County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,570±$2,657 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,900±$4,302 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,898±$1,672 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±0.8 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.3%±1.5 pts | 12.7% | −2.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.9%±0.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.4%±1.1 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 Yellowstone County?
Owners occupy 69.6% of Yellowstone County's occupied homes and renters 30.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $349,500 by its owner (±$5,510). The median renter pays $1,131 a month including utilities, and 37.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Yellowstone County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $349,500±$5,510 | $375,800 | +$71,363 |
| Median gross rent | $1,131±$37 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.9%±2.7 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,846±$37 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.6%±1.4 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 74,239±78 | 528,419 | +3,055 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±1.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.4%±1.4 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.8%±0.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.0%±0.8 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 Yellowstone County building?
Builders took permits for 997 new housing units across Yellowstone County in 2025 (685 single-family), 5.8 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 Yellowstone County get to work?
77.4% of Yellowstone County's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Yellowstone County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.1%±1.0 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±1.3 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±1.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9%±0.9 pts | 12.5% | +5.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.6 min±0.5 | 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 Yellowstone County's census tracts?
Yellowstone County is divided into 36 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,965 (Tract 3) to $150,665 (Tract 18.01).
All 36 census tracts of Yellowstone County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Yellowstone County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 56 |
| Median household income | 7th of 56 |
| Median home value | 16th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 56 |
| Median age | 44th 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 Yellowstone 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.