Yellowstone County, MT

County

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2024 Population

168,957

US Senator

Steve Daines

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Sheehy

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

0.775% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

9.19%

10.1% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$76,570

2.92% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$349,500

10% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

85,982

1.37% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Yellowstone 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% of the residents in Yellowstone County, MT are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Yellowstone County, MT are Montana State University Billings (777 degrees awarded in 2023), Rocky Mountain College (299 degrees), and Aveda Institute Montana (42 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Yellowstone County, MT was $349,500, and the homeownership rate was 69.6%.

Most people in Yellowstone County, MT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Yellowstone County, MT was 2 cars per household.

Yellowstone County, MT borders Big Horn County, MT, Carbon County, MT, Golden Valley County, MT, Musselshell County, MT, Rosebud County, MT, Stillwater County, MT, and Treasure County, MT.

Photo by timestranger

United States Montana Billings, MT

Population & Diversity

Yellowstone County, MT is home to a population of 169k people, from which 99% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.86% of Yellowstone County, MT residents were born outside of the country (3.15k people).

In 2024, there were 22.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (141k people) in Yellowstone County, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.2k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 6.02k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99%

2024 Citizenship

99.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99% of Yellowstone County, MT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Yellowstone County, MT was 99.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Yellowstone County, MT

White (Non-Hispanic)
141k ± 904
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
6.2k ± 521
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
6.02k ± 461

6.6%

Hispanic Population

11.1k people

6.6% of the people in Yellowstone County, MT are hispanic (11.1k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Yellowstone 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

1.86%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.15k people

1.77%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

2.96k people

As of 2024, 1.86% of Yellowstone County, MT residents (3.15k 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 Yellowstone County, MT was 1.77%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,101 ± 497
Gulf War (2001-)
2,936 ± 434
Gulf War (1990s)
1,984 ± 415

Yellowstone County, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.4 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Yellowstone County, MT.

Economy

The economy of Yellowstone County, MT employs 86k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Yellowstone County, MT were Health Care & Social Assistance (15,275 people), Retail Trade (10,901 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (7,294 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($98,319), Utilities ($87,083), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($81,250).

Employment

Occupations

86k

2024 Value

± 2,553

1.37%

1 Year growth

± 4.1%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Yellowstone County, MT grew at a rate of 1.37%, from 84.8k employees to 86k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Yellowstone County, MT, are Sales & Related Occupations (9,526 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,062 people), and Management Occupations (9,050 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Yellowstone 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

86k

2024 Value

± 2,553

1.37%

1 Year growth

± 4.1%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Yellowstone County, MT grew at a rate of 1.37%, from 84.8k employees to 86k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Yellowstone County, MT, are Health Care & Social Assistance (15,275 people), Retail Trade (10,901 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (7,294 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Yellowstone County, MT, though some of these residents may live in Yellowstone County, MT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,860

Median earning men ± $1,639

$39,238

Median earning women ± $1,318

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($79,837), Manufacturing ($74,702), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($66,617).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($54,531), Wholesale Trade ($52,768), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,295).

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

545
Construction
372
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
344
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

$960k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$416k
Retail Trade
$401k
Construction

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 Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County, MT awarded 1,130 degrees. The student population of Yellowstone County, MT in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,926 male students and 3,238 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Yellowstone County, MT are White (889 and 80%), Hispanic or Latino (77 and 6.93%), Unknown (46 and 4.14%), and Two or More Races (40 and 3.6%).

The largest universities in Yellowstone County, MT by number of degrees awarded are Montana State University Billings (777 and 68.8%), Rocky Mountain College (299 and 26.5%), and Aveda Institute Montana (42 and 3.72%).

The most popular majors in Yellowstone County, MT are General Business (119 and 10.5%), Registered Nursing (66 and 5.84%), and Physician Assistant (57 and 5.04%).

The median tuition costs in Yellowstone County, MT are $22,341 for private four year colleges, and $4,805 and $19,305 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Yellowstone County, MT, the percentage of applicants admitted was 73%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 5,164 (37.3% men and 62.7% 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 5,164 students enrolled in Yellowstone County, MT, 37.3% men and 62.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,969 records, of which 64.1% were women and 35.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
39 degrees awarded
General Business
113 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
43 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Yellowstone County, MT was General Psychology with 39 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Montana State University Billings
777 degrees awarded
Rocky Mountain College
299 degrees awarded
Aveda Institute Montana
42 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Montana State University Billings with 777 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 394 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Yellowstone County, MT, which is 0.535 times less than the 736 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 889 degrees mean that there were 11.5 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 77 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 ($22,341) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,901) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,530) 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 Yellowstone County, MT was $349,500 in 2024, which is 1.05 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $317,600 to $349,500, a 10% increase. The homeownership rate in Yellowstone County, MT is 69.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Yellowstone County, MT have an average commute time of 18.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Yellowstone County, MT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Yellowstone County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.84%.

Housing

Property

$349,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,510

$48,659

Median Property Taxes

±$1,642

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 Yellowstone County, MT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

69.6%

Homeownership

2024

65.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 69.6% of the housing units in Yellowstone County, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Yellowstone 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.

$76,570

Median Household Income

± $2,657

69.9k

Number of Households

± 2,310

In 2024, the median household income of the 69.9k households in Yellowstone County, MT grew to $76,570 from the previous year's value of $74,400.

The following chart displays the households in Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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 (77.4%)
Carpooled (9.42%)
Worked At Home (8.86%)

In 2024, 77.4% of workers in Yellowstone County, MT drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.42%) and those who worked at home (8.86%).

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

18.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Yellowstone County, MT have a shorter commute time (18.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.8% of the workforce in Yellowstone County, MT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County, MT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Yellowstone County, MT have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Yellowstone County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.84%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

9.19% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Yellowstone County, MT (15.2k out of 165k 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 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Yellowstone County, MT is White, followed by Native American 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, 10.4% of the children was living in poverty in Yellowstone County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.1%.

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 362 in Yellowstone County, MT. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 124 per 100,000 population.

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

Health

92.3% of the population of Yellowstone County, MT has health coverage, with 46.8% on employee plans, 15.8% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 14.7% on non-group plans, and 1.59% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Yellowstone County, MT see 929 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (929 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 999 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 220 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

929 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Yellowstone County, MT

Primary care physicians in Yellowstone County, MT see an average of 929 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (929 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 20.4% between 18 and 34 years, 37.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.74%

Uninsured

46.8%

Employer Coverage

15.8%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

14.7%

Non-Group

1.59%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Yellowstone County, MT grew by 12.2% from 6.9% to 7.74%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Yellowstone 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 61.7 in Yellowstone County, MT.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Yellowstone 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 34.6% in Yellowstone County, MT.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Yellowstone County, MT.