Missoula, Montana Population 2023

75,499

Missoula is a city located in Missoula County Montana. It is also the county seat of Missoula County. With a 2023 population of 75,499, it is the 2nd largest city in Montana and the 529th largest city in the United States.Missoula is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% annually and its population has increased by 2.74% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 73,489 in 2020. Spanning over 35 miles, Missoula has a population density of 2,191 people per square mile.

The average household income in Missoula is $68,404 with a poverty rate of 18.96%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Missoula is 33.1 years, 31.9 years for males, and 34.5 years for females.

Over 95% of residents at least 25 years old have at least a high school education, while 45.7% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, exceeding both the state and national averages. The city’s largest employers include Missoula County Public Schools, the city’s hospital and the University of Montana.

Missoula Population Growth

Missoula started quite small, with a population of just 400 in 1870. This number decreased further in 1880. However, the community jumped by over 887% in 1890, bringing the population to over 3,400. Though the city never saw growth quite this substantial again, it has seen continuous growth throughout its history. In 1950, the city’s population exceeding 22,000. This number rose to over 57,000 in 2000. Recent estimates show that the population has risen 7.9% since the last census was taken in 2010.

Evidence shows that the area that is now Missoula was first inhabited about 12,000 years ago. In the 18th century, the city was primarily occupied by native tribes including the Shoshone, Blackfeet, and Salish.

The first citizens of the United States came to the area during the expedition of Lewis and Clark of the 19th century, where they camped nearby during their westbound trip and their return. In 1860, Hell Gate Village was established by Frank Worden and Christopher Higgins. It was originally located about five miles west of the current-day downtown area, but the need for a water supply led to relocation just four years later.

Missoula Mills was established in 1866 and was the county seat. Fort Missoula was created during the next decade to offer protection for settlers. The area continued to grow when the Northern Pacific Railway arrived, and during the same year, Missoula was designated as a town. Many sawmills were opened during this period because of the need for lumber to construct bridges and railways. This launched the city’s lumber industry, which was an essential part of the economy through the 20th century.

Logging was a primary industry throughout the mid-20th century with the opening of the Hoerner-Waldorf pulp mill, although the pulp mill severely impacted the air quality. However, the lumber industry was affected by a recession in the 1980s, which led to the city focusing on other sectors.

Today, education and health care are the primary drivers of the economy. The University of Montana is a higher education institution that has been expanded and renovated significantly in recent years. The city’s hospital, St. Patrick Hospital, and Health Sciences Center, was founded in 1873 and has since gone through several expansions.

Missoula Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Missoula was:

  • White: 89.53%
  • Two or more races: 5.16%
  • Asian: 2.05%
  • Native American: 1.5%
  • Black or African American: 0.88%
  • Other race: 0.71%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.17%
The current population of Missoula, Montana is 75,499 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 73,489.

Missoula, Montana Population 2023

Population by Race

White

Two or more races

Asian

Native American

Black or African American

Other race

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Missoula Population by Race

Missoula Population Pyramid 2023

Missoula Median Age

33.1

Total

31.9

Male

34.5

Female

Missoula Adults

There are 61,943 adults, (9,778 of whom are seniors) in Missoula.

Missoula Age Dependency

43.8

Age Dependency Ratio

18.7

Old Age Dependency Ratio

25

Child Dependency Ratio

Missoula Sex Ratio

Female37,67150.23%
Male37,32349.77%

Missoula Population by Age

Missoula Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

2.92

Average Family Size

2.21

Average Household Size

47.4%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Missoula Households and Families

Male

Female

Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Missoula Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Missoula Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

The highest rate of high school graduation is among other race people with a rate of 93.27%.

The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 55.84%.

Missoula Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

$33,796

Average Earnings

$36,082

Average Male

$31,788

Average Female

Missoula Earnings by Educational Attainment

Missoula Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Missoula Language

94.75% of Missoula residents speak only English, while 5.25% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 2.11% of the population.

Missoula Language

Missoula Poverty by Race

rate

18.96%

Overall Poverty Rate

17.1%

Male Poverty Rate

16.4%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Missoula

The race most likely to be in poverty in Missoula is Multiple, with 41.81% below the poverty level.

The race least likely to be in poverty in Missoula is Asian, with 4.38% below the poverty level.

The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 3.96%. Among those working part-time, it was 27.18%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 25.31%.

Missoula Poverty

Missoula Poverty Rate by Education

Missoula Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Missoula Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

mean

median

Income by Household Type

Missoula Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

37.7%

Overall Marriage Rate

38.5%

Male Marriage Rate

37.0%

Female Marriage Rate

Missoula Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Missoula Marriage

The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.

Missoula Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Missoula Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

4,372

Number of Veterans

3,977

Male Veterans

395

Female Veterans

Missoula Veterans by War

Missoula Veterans by Age

count

Missoula Veterans by Race

Missoula Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

7.5%

Veteran Poverty Rate

21.98%

Veteran Disability Rate

Missoula Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

73.3%

Labor Force Participation

69.6%

Employment Rate

5%

Unemployment Rate

Missoula Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Missoula Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Missoula Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

47.71%

Born in Missoula

98.82%

Native Born

3.23%

Foreign Born

1.43%

Non Citizen

1.8%

Naturalized

Place of Birth

98.82% of Missoula residents were born in the United States, with 47.71% having been born in Montana. 1.43% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.

Missoula Place of Birth

Note: data after 2020 is projected based on recent growth

Missoula Population by Year