Lewis and Clark County, MT

County

Add Comparison

2024 Population

73,464

US Senator

Steve Daines

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Sheehy

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

41.8

1.21% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

8.06%

7.5% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$78,237

4.96% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$393,500

9.85% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

36,577

2.39% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Lewis and Clark County, MT reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in Lewis and Clark County, MT are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lewis and Clark County, MT are Carroll College (356 degrees awarded in 2023) and Helena College University of Montana (233 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Lewis and Clark County, MT was $393,500, and the homeownership rate was 70.1%.

Most people in Lewis and Clark County, MT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Lewis and Clark County, MT was 2 cars per household.

Lewis and Clark County, MT borders Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Flathead County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Powell County, MT, and Teton County, MT.

United States Montana Helena, MT

Population & Diversity

Lewis and Clark County, MT is home to a population of 73.5k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.87% of Lewis and Clark County, MT residents were born outside of the country (1.37k people).

In 2024, there were 27.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (65.1k people) in Lewis and Clark County, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.36k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 1.49k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2024 Citizenship

99.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.3% of Lewis and Clark County, MT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Lewis and Clark County, MT was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lewis and Clark County, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lewis and Clark County, MT

White (Non-Hispanic)
65.1k ± 439
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.36k ± 311
White (Hispanic)
1.49k ± 274

4.03%

Hispanic Population

2.96k people

4.03% of the people in Lewis and Clark County, MT are hispanic (2.96k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Lewis and Clark County, MT as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Montana.

Most Common Origin

Canada
3,832 ± 1,517 people
Mexico
2,638 ± 1,259 people
Germany
1,932 ± 1,078 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Montana was Canada, the natal country of 3,832 Montana residents, followed by Mexico with 2,638 and Germany with 1,932.

Foreign-Born Population

1.87%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.37k people

1.87%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.36k people

As of 2024, 1.87% of Lewis and Clark County, MT residents (1.37k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lewis and Clark County, MT was 1.87%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lewis and Clark County, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,960 ± 341
Vietnam
1,751 ± 279
Gulf War (1990s)
729 ± 159

Lewis and Clark County, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.12 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Lewis and Clark County, MT.

Economy

The economy of Lewis and Clark County, MT employs 36.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Lewis and Clark County, MT were Health Care & Social Assistance (6,454 people), Public Administration (6,021 people), and Retail Trade (3,531 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($78,438), Finance & Insurance ($71,588), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($69,155).

Employment

Occupations

36.6k

2024 Value

± 1,510

2.39%

1 Year growth

± 5.73%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lewis and Clark County, MT grew at a rate of 2.39%, from 35.7k employees to 36.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lewis and Clark County, MT, are Management Occupations (4,756 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,780 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (3,231 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lewis and Clark County, MT.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Montana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

36.6k

2024 Value

± 1,510

2.39%

1 Year growth

± 5.73%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lewis and Clark County, MT grew at a rate of 2.39%, from 35.7k employees to 36.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lewis and Clark County, MT, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,454 people), Public Administration (6,021 people), and Retail Trade (3,531 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lewis and Clark County, MT, though some of these residents may live in Lewis and Clark County, MT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,149

Median earning men ± $3,685

$45,286

Median earning women ± $2,393

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($106,458), Information ($80,682), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($72,341).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($62,658), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,000), and Construction ($56,597).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

Y-Axis

2.24%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 508k people employed in Montana. This represents a 2.24% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Montana.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

261
Construction
190
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
183
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$363k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$167k
Finance and Insurance
$142k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.96%).

Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy are the senators currently representing the state of Montana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Montana is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Lewis and Clark County, MT. Showing the available data for Montana.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.4%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1.96%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.96%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Montana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Montana

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

Steve Daines

Senator from Montana

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Tim Sheehy

Senator from Montana

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy are the senators currently representing Montana.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Montana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Lewis and Clark County, MT awarded 589 degrees. The student population of Lewis and Clark County, MT in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,063 male students and 1,525 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lewis and Clark County, MT are White (449 and 76.4%), Unknown (70 and 11.9%), Two or More Races (31 and 5.27%), and Hispanic or Latino (27 and 4.59%).

The largest universities in Lewis and Clark County, MT by number of degrees awarded are Carroll College (356 and 60.4%) and Helena College University of Montana (233 and 39.6%).

The most popular majors in Lewis and Clark County, MT are Registered Nursing (89 and 15.1%), General Studies (76 and 12.9%), and General Health Services (30 and 5.09%).

The median tuition cost in Lewis and Clark County, MT for private four year colleges is $39,152.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Lewis and Clark County, MT, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 2,588 (41.1% men and 58.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 2,588 students enrolled in Lewis and Clark County, MT, 41.1% men and 58.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,938 records, of which 60.5% were women and 39.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
27 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
60 degrees awarded
General Health Services
30 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lewis and Clark County, MT was General Business Administration & Management with 27 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lewis and Clark County, MT according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Carroll College
356 degrees awarded
Helena College University of Montana
233 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Carroll College with 356 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 238 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lewis and Clark County, MT, which is 0.678 times less than the 351 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 449 degrees mean that there were 6.41 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 70 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($39,152) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,516) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lewis and Clark County, MT was $393,500 in 2024, which is 1.18 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $358,200 to $393,500, a 9.85% increase. The homeownership rate in Lewis and Clark County, MT is 70.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Lewis and Clark County, MT have an average commute time of 18.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lewis and Clark County, MT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 11.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lewis and Clark County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.32%.

Housing

Property

$393,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$9,364

$21,877

Median Property Taxes

±$1,071

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lewis and Clark County, MT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lewis and Clark County, MT compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.1%

Homeownership

2024

66.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 70.1% of the housing units in Lewis and Clark County, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lewis and Clark County, MT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$78,237

Median Household Income

± $3,203

31.2k

Number of Households

± 1,337

In 2024, the median household income of the 31.2k households in Lewis and Clark County, MT grew to $78,237 from the previous year's value of $74,543.

The following chart displays the households in Lewis and Clark County, MT distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lewis and Clark County, MT is from Montana.

0.46

2023 Wage GINI in Montana

0.463

2022 Wage GINI in Montana

In 2023, the income inequality in Montana was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.635% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Montana was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Montana in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Montana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (68.1%)
Worked At Home (14.5%)
Carpooled (10.8%)

In 2024, 68.1% of workers in Lewis and Clark County, MT drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.5%) and those who carpooled to work (10.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lewis and Clark County, MT have a shorter commute time (18.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.58% of the workforce in Lewis and Clark County, MT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lewis and Clark County, MT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lewis and Clark County, MT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lewis and Clark County, MT have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 11.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lewis and Clark County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.32%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.06% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lewis and Clark County, MT (5.81k out of 72.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lewis and Clark County, MT is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 9.6% of the children was living in poverty in Lewis and Clark County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 424 in Lewis and Clark County, MT. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 126 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

94.3% of the population of Lewis and Clark County, MT has health coverage, with 47.2% on employee plans, 14.5% on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, 15.6% on non-group plans, and 3.07% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Lewis and Clark County, MT see 1,062 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,062 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1154 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 169 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,062 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lewis and Clark County, MT

Primary care physicians in Lewis and Clark County, MT see an average of 1,062 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,062 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lewis and Clark County, MT in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.5% under 18 years, 18.2% between 18 and 34 years, 39.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.67%

Uninsured

47.2%

Employer Coverage

14.5%

Medicaid

14%

Medicare

15.6%

Non-Group

3.07%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lewis and Clark County, MT declined by 8.29% from 6.18% to 5.67%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lewis and Clark County, MT changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 52.1 in Lewis and Clark County, MT.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lewis and Clark County, MT.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 30.1% in Lewis and Clark County, MT.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lewis and Clark County, MT.