Montana Cities and Towns: Complete A–Z List, Map & 2026 Population Guide

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the country with one of the smallest populations — a combination that creates more than 350 distinct named places, from cities of 100,000+ to ghost towns of 19. This is the complete guide to every Montana city, town, and community worth knowing, organized by region, alphabet, and population.

TL;DR

Montana has 129 incorporated municipalities — 51 cities, 76 towns, and 2 consolidated city-county governments — plus more than 200 unincorporated communities.
The largest city is Billings (population ~120,000); the smallest incorporated town is Ismay (population 19).
Only one Montana city has more than 100,000 residents (Billings). The state has eight cities over 10,000 and dozens of small towns under 1,000.
This guide includes the full A–Z directory with internal links, the complete population table for 120+ municipalities, regional groupings, and editorial notes on the top 25 places to know.

Map of Montana showing major cities and towns including Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Helena — Montana’s major cities and towns spread across 147,000 square miles — the country’s fourth-largest state.

Montana Cities and Towns at a Glance

Total incorporated municipalities	129
Cities	51
Towns	76
Consolidated city-county governments	2 (Butte–Silver Bow, Anaconda–Deer Lodge)
Unincorporated communities	200+
State population (2020 census)	1,084,225
Largest city	Billings (~120,000)
Smallest incorporated town	Ismay (19)
Capital city	Helena (~34,000)
State area	147,040 sq miles (4th largest in U.S.)
Counties	56
Official tourism regions	6

How Montana Defines a “City” vs a “Town”

Quick legal distinction that explains why so many of these places look identical on a map but are categorized differently. Under Montana law:

A city has at least 1,000 residents (first class: 10,000+; second class: 5,000–9,999; third class: 1,000–4,999)
A town has between 300 and 999 residents
Below 300, places remain unincorporated communities

Two municipalities — Butte–Silver Bow and Anaconda–Deer Lodge — operate as consolidated city-county governments. The official names include both the city and the county, hence the hyphenated naming.

There are also more than 200 unincorporated communities — Big Sky, Bigfork, Pray, Bonner, Lakeside, Lolo, Four Corners, and many more. These places have functioning post offices, businesses, and identities, but no local government. Some (like Big Sky and Bigfork) are larger and more prominent than many incorporated towns.

Montana’s 6 Official Tourism Regions

Montana’s tourism is officially organized into six regions. Here are the main towns in each, which is the most useful framing for trip planners.

1. Glacier Country (Northwest Montana)

Anchored by Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. The tourism heart of the state.

Main towns: Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Polson, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, West Glacier, Missoula, Hamilton, Stevensville, Florence, Lolo, Libby, Troy, Eureka, Thompson Falls, Plains, Superior, St. Ignatius, Ronan, Pablo, Arlee.

2. Yellowstone Country (South-Central Montana)

Gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

Main towns: Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, Livingston, Pray, Gardiner, Cooke City, Silver Gate, Red Lodge, Big Timber, Columbus, Park City, Absarokee, Joliet, Fromberg, Bridger, Laurel.

3. Central Montana

The wide-open middle of the state, ranching country.

Main towns: Great Falls, Lewistown, Fort Benton, Choteau, Augusta, Stanford, Harlowton, Roundup, Belt, Cascade, Vaughn, Hobson, Denton, Moore, Winifred, White Sulphur Springs, Townsend.

4. Southwest Montana

Mining heritage, hot springs, and Yellowstone-adjacent backcountry.

Main towns: Helena, Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Ennis, Twin Bridges, Sheridan, Virginia City, Nevada City, Lima, Whitehall, Boulder, Drummond, Lincoln, East Helena, Clancy, Jefferson City, Townsend.

5. Missouri River Country (Northeast Montana)

Vast plains, the Missouri River, and the Fort Peck Reservoir.

Main towns: Glasgow, Wolf Point, Sidney, Plentywood, Malta, Scobey, Culbertson, Poplar, Saco, Nashua, Fort Peck, Medicine Lake, Westby, Outlook, Froid, Bainville, Brockton, Flaxville, Opheim.

6. Southeast Montana

Badlands, Custer’s Last Stand country, and the Powder River.

Main towns: Miles City, Glendive, Forsyth, Hardin, Colstrip, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Wibaux, Terry, Ashland, Lame Deer, Busby, Lodge Grass, Plevna, Hysham, Ismay.

For more on planning a trip through these regions, see my guide to the 27 best things to do in Montana and the Montana travel map.

Map of Montana's 6 official tourism regions including Glacier Country, Yellowstone Country, Central, Southwest, Missouri River Country, and Southeast — Montana’s tourism regions — each has a distinct landscape and rhythm.

Complete A–Z List of Montana Cities and Towns

Click any town below for a detailed guide. Towns without a link are coming soon.

The 25 Most Important Montana Towns (Editorial Picks)

Population is only one measure. Here are the 25 Montana towns most worth knowing — for travelers, history, or sheer character — with my honest take on each.

1. Billings (~120,000)

Montana’s largest city by a wide margin, anchoring the south-central plains. A genuine regional capital with the state’s best hospital system, an underrated cliff-edge geology (the Rims), and the gateway to Beartooth Highway and Pictograph Cave State Park.

2. Missoula (~77,000)

Home to the University of Montana, the most liberal and artsy town in the state. Three rivers converge here. Excellent food scene, the best independent bookstores in Montana, and a strong literary heritage — this is Norman Maclean country.

3. Bozeman (~57,000 and growing fast)

Yellowstone gateway and the fastest-growing city in the state. Tech money has reshaped Bozeman in the last decade. Excellent breweries, world-class fly fishing on the Gallatin and Madison, and the Museum of the Rockies (one of the best dinosaur collections in the world).

4. Great Falls (~60,000)

A blue-collar river town anchored by Malmstrom Air Force Base and the namesake falls of the Missouri River. Charlie Russell country — the C.M. Russell Museum is excellent. Less touristy than the western towns.

5. Butte (~35,000)

Once one of the richest cities in America thanks to copper mining. Today, Butte is a remarkable open-air museum of Gilded Age architecture, with the Berkeley Pit Superfund site as a reminder of the costs. The historic district is unlike anywhere else in the West.

6. Helena (~34,000) — State Capital

The state capital, gold-rush founded, with the Cathedral of St. Helena and the Last Chance Gulch pedestrian mall. Genuinely underrated by tourists. See my full guide to things to do in Helena.

7. Kalispell (~26,000)

The largest city in northwest Montana and the practical base for many Glacier visitors. More of a working town than touristy Whitefish.

8. Whitefish (~8,700)

A genuinely charming resort town near Glacier National Park. Ski mountain access at Whitefish Mountain Resort, walkable downtown, and Whitefish Lake on the edge of town. Crowded in peak summer.

9. Bigfork (~5,000, unincorporated)

Often called Montana’s prettiest small town. Sits at the north end of Flathead Lake, with an arts scene that punches well above its weight. Summer-resort feel.

10. Polson (~5,200)

The southern gateway to Flathead Lake. More functional than picturesque, but the best base for lake activities on a budget.

11. Livingston (~7,900)

A real Western town near Yellowstone’s north entrance, with art galleries, fly-fishing shops, and Murray Bar saloon. Featured in Jim Harrison and Tom McGuane’s fiction.

12. Hamilton (~5,100)

The county seat of Ravalli County, in the Bitterroot Valley. Wide-streeted, affordable, and surrounded by extraordinary terrain.

13. Gardiner (~870)

The gateway to Yellowstone’s North Entrance and the Roosevelt Arch. Small, scrappy, and the practical base for Lamar Valley wolf-watching. See my Lamar Valley Montana guide for trip planning.

14. Cooke City (~75)

Tiny outpost at Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance — the best base for serious wildlife watchers. Reached by the Beartooth Highway in summer and the only Yellowstone road plowed in winter.

15. Silver Gate (~20)

Even smaller than Cooke City, three miles closer to the park. Pure backcountry mountain hamlet.

16. Red Lodge (~2,400)

The northern terminus of Beartooth Highway, with a beautifully preserved downtown and Red Lodge Mountain ski area. One of the most charming small towns in the state.

17. West Yellowstone (~1,400)

Yellowstone’s busiest entrance. Functional more than charming — but the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is here, and snowmobile culture takes over in winter.

18. West Glacier

The main western entrance to Glacier National Park. See my Going-to-the-Sun Road guide for context on the surrounding gateway communities.

19. Lewistown (~5,900)

The geographic center of Montana, in the heart of the central plains. Ranching country, surprising depth of restaurants for the size, and a strong sense of historical identity.

20. Miles City (~8,200)

The largest town in eastern Montana, famous for the Bucking Horse Sale every May — the West’s most authentic rodeo and horse-trading weekend.

21. Glendive (~4,900)

Gateway to Makoshika State Park and Montana’s badlands country. Often skipped by travelers; shouldn’t be.

22. Sidney (~6,300)

Bakken oil-field town on the North Dakota border. Has experienced boom-and-bust cycles tied to oil prices.

23. Dillon (~4,300)

College town (University of Montana Western) in the southwest mountains. Gateway to the Big Hole and the Pioneer Mountains.

24. Philipsburg (~900)

Restored mining town turned candy-and-gemstone destination. The Sweet Palace candy store and surrounding sapphire mines draw thousands of summer visitors.

25. Virginia City & Nevada City (~225 combined)

Living-history twin towns from Montana’s gold-rush days. Wooden boardwalks, period-costumed interpreters, and historic buildings still in use. The closest you’ll come to time-travel in Montana.

Complete Population Data: Montana Towns by Population

The table below shows all 120+ Montana municipalities with the latest available population data. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Montana Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC).

Note: figures shown are 2020 census data, the most recent decennial source. Updated estimates are released annually — verify current population for individual towns where exact numbers matter.

Rank	City / Town	Population	Change (vs 2010)	% Change
1	Billings	117,116	7,531	6.9%
2	Missoula	76,848	9,144	13.5%
3	Great Falls	60,442	1,963	3.4%
4	Bozeman	56,123	18,479	49.1%
5	Butte–Silver Bow	35,133	1,608	4.8%
6	Helena	34,690	6,094	21.3%
7	Kalispell	26,225	6,533	33.2%
8	Belgrade	11,031	3,672	49.9%
9	Anaconda–Deer Lodge	9,421	137	1.5%
10	Havre	9,719	-91	-0.9%
11	Whitefish	8,706	2,366	37.3%
12	Miles City	8,354	144	1.8%
13	Livingston	8,040	333	4.3%
14	Laurel	6,718	-27	-0.4%
15	Columbia Falls	6,278	1,191	23.4%
16	Sidney	6,302	1,118	21.6%
17	Lewistown	5,902	12	0.2%
18	Polson	5,253	524	11.1%
19	Hamilton	5,074	564	12.5%
20	Glendive	4,873	-52	-1.1%
21	Dillon	4,408	274	6.6%
22	Hardin	3,742	81	2.2%
23	Glasgow	3,363	113	3.5%
24	Cut Bank	3,032	-22	-0.7%
25	Shelby	3,007	31	1.0%
26	Libby	2,872	244	9.3%
27	Deer Lodge	2,810	22	0.8%
28	Wolf Point	2,656	-65	-2.4%
29	Conrad	2,425	-20	-0.8%
30	Red Lodge	2,378	122	5.4%
31	Townsend	2,236	152	7.3%
32	Colstrip	2,243	-103	-4.4%
33	Ronan	2,184	92	4.4%
34	Stevensville	2,155	199	10.2%
35	East Helena	2,164	257	13.5%
36	Columbus	2,135	167	8.5%
37	Three Forks	2,059	175	9.3%
38	Manhattan	2,030	510	33.6%
39	Baker	1,901	-41	-2.1%
40	Roundup	1,880	92	5.1%
41	Malta	1,857	-140	-7.0%
42	Forsyth	1,757	-20	-1.1%
43	Choteau	1,762	53	3.1%
44	Plentywood	1,720	-16	-0.9%
45	Big Timber	1,696	55	3.4%
46	Eureka	1,485	33	2.3%
47	Fort Benton	1,448	84	6.2%
48	Thompson Falls	1,449	134	10.2%
49	West Yellowstone	1,380	109	8.6%
50	Boulder	1,309	26	2.0%
51	Chinook	1,233	-54	-4.2%
52	Whitehall	1,173	-19	-1.6%
53	Plains	1,154	106	10.1%
54	Ennis	1,074	235	28.0%
55	Pinesdale	1,045	161	18.2%
56	Browning	1,016	-62	-5.8%
57	Harlowton	1,005	8	0.8%
58	Troy	991	53	5.7%
59	Scobey	970	30	3.2%
60	White Sulphur Springs	923	-16	-1.7%
61	Philipsburg	916	96	11.7%
62	Superior	905	92	11.3%
63	Fairview	886	138	18.4%
64	Chester	874	-73	-7.7%
65	St. Ignatius	851	60	7.6%
66	Poplar	838	-48	-5.4%
67	Darby	834	90	12.1%
68	Culbertson	791	-3	-0.4%
69	Harlem	783	35	4.7%
70	Sheridan	776	105	15.6%
71	Bridger	776	70	9.9%
72	Fairfield	740	51	7.4%
73	Walkerville	717	41	6.1%
74	Cascade	680	-8	-1.2%
75	Joliet	671	79	13.3%
76	Circle	603	16	2.7%
77	Hot Springs	591	47	8.6%
78	Wibaux	580	3	0.5%
79	Belt	572	39	7.3%
80	Big Sandy	569	9	1.6%
81	Terry	554	-2	-0.4%
82	Valier	478	-8	-1.6%
83	Fromberg	473	32	7.3%
84	Alberton	468	95	25.5%
85	Broadus	466	-2	-0.4%
86	Lodge Grass	445	17	4.0%
87	Twin Bridges	438	38	9.5%
88	Stanford	392	6	1.6%
89	Jordan	391	28	7.7%
90	Ekalaka	370	38	11.4%
91	Drummond	332	-34	-9.3%
92	Sunburst	331	-41	-11.0%
93	Dutton	328	38	13.1%
94	Bainville	319	153	92.2%
95	Clyde Park	315	24	8.2%
96	Hysham	309	9	3.0%
97	Nashua	288	35	13.8%
98	Geraldine	253	12	5.0%
99	Fort Peck	239	6	2.6%
100	Ryegate	237	-8	-3.3%
101	Denton	236	-19	-7.4%
102	Hobson	231	-13	-5.3%
103	Lima	229	5	2.2%
104	Virginia City	228	39	20.6%
105	Medicine Lake	221	-1	-0.5%
106	Froid	207	12	6.2%
107	Winifred	198	47	31.1%
108	Winnett	192	8	4.3%
109	Saco	188	-10	-5.1%
110	Moore	184	41	28.7%
111	Broadview	184	26	16.5%
112	Richey	171	-7	-3.9%
113	Lavina	170	-16	-8.6%
114	Rexford	163	50	44.2%
115	Westby	154	-16	-9.4%
116	Plevna	143	6	4.4%
117	Kevin	138	-16	-10.4%
118	Judith Gap	129	12	10.3%
119	Hingham	120	-19	-13.7%
120	Dodson	118	23	24.2%
121	Melstone	113	17	17.7%
122	Grass Range	107	5	4.9%
123	Bearcreek	88	9	11.4%
124	Opheim	84	-7	-7.7%
125	Flaxville	67	-3	-4.3%
126	Neihart	50	-1	-2.0%
127	Outlook	48	-1	-2.0%
128	Ismay	19	-1	-5.0%

Figures shown are 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data. For the most current annual estimates, see the Montana Census and Economic Information Center. This table is updated periodically.

Montana Towns by Other Rankings

Population isn’t the only way to think about Montana’s places. Here are some alternative rankings worth knowing.

Fastest-Growing Montana Cities (2010 → 2020)

Bainville — +92.2% (oil-boom growth from a low base)
Bozeman — +49.1%
Belgrade — +49.9%
Rexford — +44.2%
Whitefish — +37.3%
Manhattan — +33.6%
Kalispell — +33.2%
Winifred — +31.1%
Ennis — +28.0%
Moore — +28.7%

Bozeman, Belgrade, Kalispell, and Whitefish growth reflects a broader Western migration trend driven by remote work, lifestyle priorities, and outdoor amenities.

Largest Montana Cities by Area

Cities annex differently, so land area sometimes diverges from population significantly:

Anaconda–Deer Lodge (consolidated city-county) — 740+ sq miles
Butte–Silver Bow (consolidated city-county) — 716 sq miles
Billings — ~45 sq miles
Great Falls — ~22 sq miles
Missoula — ~30 sq miles

The two consolidated city-county governments dominate the area rankings by an enormous margin.

Smallest Incorporated Towns in Montana

Ismay — 19
Outlook — 48
Neihart — 50
Flaxville — 67
Opheim — 84

Ismay’s tiny population is the source of one of Montana’s most charming small-town stories — the town temporarily renamed itself “Joe, Montana” in 1993 to honor the quarterback during his football career.

Best-Known Unincorporated Communities

Several of Montana’s most prominent places aren’t incorporated:

Big Sky — major ski resort and unincorporated town
Bigfork — arts town on Flathead Lake
Cooke City — Yellowstone gateway
Silver Gate — Yellowstone gateway
West Glacier — Glacier gateway
Pray — Paradise Valley, home to Chico Hot Springs
Lakeside — Flathead Lake village
Lolo — Missoula-adjacent community
Four Corners — fast-growing Bozeman suburb
Gallatin Gateway — Bozeman-adjacent

Welcome to Big Sky Country sign on a Montana highway with mountains in the background — From cities of 100,000+ to towns of 19 — Montana’s character is in its range.

Best Montana Towns for Travelers

If you’re planning a trip rather than relocating, the relevant question isn’t size — it’s character and convenience. My honest recommendations by traveler type:

Best Base for Glacier National Park

Whitefish — charming, walkable, well-supplied. Kalispell for a cheaper alternative. West Glacier for park-adjacent convenience.

Best Base for Yellowstone

Gardiner for North Entrance access; West Yellowstone for west and geyser basins; Cooke City for serious wildlife watching at the Northeast Entrance.

Best Mountain Resort Town

Whitefish or Big Sky — different vibes (Whitefish more authentic, Big Sky more polished and expensive).

Best Historic Town

Virginia City, Bannack, Philipsburg, or Butte — all preserve Montana’s mining and frontier history in different ways.

Best Small Town for Authentic Montana

Livingston, Lewistown, Augusta, or Choteau — working towns with real character.

Best for Foodies and Culture

Missoula wins by a wide margin. Bozeman is a close second.

Best for Off-the-Grid Quiet

Cooke City, Silver Gate, Lincoln, or Augusta — places where cell service drops out and the night sky takes over.

When to Visit Montana’s Towns

Montana’s seasons hit different towns differently. Mountain towns (Whitefish, Big Sky, Cooke City) shine in summer and winter. Plains towns (Miles City, Glendive, Sidney) are best in late spring and fall — summer can be scorching, winter brutal. Tourist towns (Gardiner, West Yellowstone) are insanely crowded July–August and lovely in shoulder seasons.

For full season-by-season planning, see my best time to visit Montana guide.

What I Wish I’d Known Researching Montana Towns

A few honest observations after years of writing about this state:

The biggest “cities” are still small. Even Billings (~117,000) is closer in scale to a midsize college town than to anywhere most travelers would call a city. Pack expectations accordingly.

Distances are deceptive. Towns that look close on a map are often two hours apart. Always double-check driving times — Montana is 559 miles wide. See my Montana size guide for more context.

Many “towns” have no services. Some incorporated towns have under 100 residents and no gas station, motel, or restaurant. Don’t plan a road-trip overnight in a town under 500 without checking specifically.

Tribal nations operate as separate governments. Many of the most prominent Montana communities (Browning, Pablo, Lame Deer, Crow Agency) sit on reservation land governed by sovereign tribal nations. Visiting protocols, jurisdictional realities, and cultural context matter — research before visiting.

Town names repeat with neighboring states. Manhattan, Hot Springs, Lincoln, Helena — there are towns by these names in other states too. Always specify “Montana” when searching to get the right place.

For broader trip planning resources, see the where Montana is located guide and the full 27 best things to do in Montana hub.

Conclusion

There’s a Montana for every kind of traveler — the urbanish hum of Missoula, the polished resort glow of Whitefish, the working-cattle reality of Augusta, the time-warp wooden boardwalks of Virginia City, the snowmobile-and-grizzly outpost of Cooke City. This list won’t tell you which one is right for you, but it’ll show you the full scope of choices.

Bookmark this page — it’s updated as new census data is released and as I publish detailed guides for each town. If there’s a Montana town you want covered in depth, drop the name in the comments and I’ll move it up the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cities and towns are in Montana?

Montana has 129 incorporated municipalities — 51 cities, 76 towns, and 2 consolidated city-county governments (Butte–Silver Bow and Anaconda–Deer Lodge). In addition, there are more than 200 unincorporated communities, including prominent places like Big Sky, Bigfork, Cooke City, and West Glacier.

What is the largest city in Montana?

Billings is the largest city in Montana with a population of approximately 117,000 (2020 census). It’s the only Montana city with more than 100,000 residents. The next-largest cities are Missoula (~77,000), Great Falls (~60,000), Bozeman (~56,000), and Butte–Silver Bow (~35,000).

What is the smallest town in Montana?

Ismay is the smallest incorporated town in Montana with a 2020 census population of 19 residents. The town briefly renamed itself “Joe, Montana” in 1993 to honor NFL quarterback Joe Montana — a publicity stunt that briefly made it one of the most famous tiny towns in America.

What is the capital of Montana?

Helena is the capital of Montana, with a population of approximately 35,000. Helena was founded during the 1864 gold rush as “Last Chance Gulch” and became the territorial capital in 1875 and the state capital when Montana achieved statehood in 1889.

What is the fastest-growing city in Montana?

Bozeman is the fastest-growing major city in Montana, with population growth of approximately 49% between 2010 and 2020. Belgrade (adjacent to Bozeman) grew at similar rates, and Whitefish, Kalispell, and Manhattan all saw growth above 30% during the same period. The growth is driven largely by remote-work migration and outdoor-amenity demand.

What is the population of Montana?

Montana’s population is approximately 1.08 million as of the 2020 U.S. Census, making it the 44th most populous state. Montana is the 4th largest state by area but one of the least densely populated, with roughly 7 people per square mile.

What’s the difference between a Montana city and a Montana town?

Under Montana law, a city has at least 1,000 residents while a town has between 300 and 999. Cities are further divided into first class (10,000+), second class (5,000–9,999), and third class (1,000–4,999). Below 300 residents, places typically remain unincorporated communities.

Are Big Sky and Bigfork official Montana cities?

No — both Big Sky and Bigfork are unincorporated communities, despite being prominent destinations. Big Sky is best known as a major ski resort south of Bozeman. Bigfork is a popular arts and lakefront village at the north end of Flathead Lake. Neither has a city government; both are governed at the county level.

What are the major regions of Montana?

Montana is officially divided into six tourism regions: Glacier Country (northwest), Yellowstone Country (south central), Central Montana, Southwest Montana, Missouri River Country (northeast), and Southeast Montana. Each region has distinct geography, culture, and a primary set of anchor towns.

What’s the best Montana town for tourists to visit?

The answer depends on what you’re looking for. Whitefish offers the best combination of charm, walkability, and Glacier access. Bozeman is the best urban-feeling base for Yellowstone. Missoula has the strongest food and arts scene. Red Lodge is a charming small mountain town. Virginia City offers immersive frontier history. For a complete breakdown, see my guide to the 27 best things to do in Montana.