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

Q: 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 and Census Designated Places , including substantial places like Evergreen (9,206), Lockwood (7,195), Orchard Homes (5,377), Big Sky , Bigfork , Cooke City , and West Glacier .

Q: What is the capital of Montana?

Helena is the capital of Montana, with a population of 34,690 (2020 census). 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.

Q: What is the population of Montana?

Montana's population is approximately 1.08 million as of the 2020 U.S. Census (1,084,225 exact), 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. The 2024 estimate is approximately 1.137 million.

Q: 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.

Q: How many first-class cities are in Montana?

Montana has 7 first-class cities (10,000+ residents): Billings , Missoula , Great Falls , Bozeman , Butte–Silver Bow , Helena , Kalispell , and Belgrade . Belgrade joined the first-class category after the 2020 census when it crossed the 10,000-resident threshold.

Fact-checking note: All population data verified against the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial census and the Montana Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC). County affiliations verified against the Montana Association of Counties (MACo). ZIP codes verified against USPS data. Last comprehensive review: June 16, 2026.

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the country with one of the smallest populations — a combination that creates more than 360 distinct named places, from cities of 117,000+ to ghost towns of 19. This is the complete guide to every Montana city, town, and community worth knowing, organized by region, alphabet, county, and population. Browse by Montana counties.

TL;DR

Montana has 129 incorporated municipalities — 51 cities, 76 towns, and 2 consolidated city-county governments — plus more than 200 unincorporated communities and CDPs.
The largest city is Billings (117,116); the smallest incorporated town is Ismay (19).
The largest unincorporated community/CDP is Evergreen at 9,206 — larger than Belgrade, Anaconda, or Havre.
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 county and ZIP code per town, the complete population tables for both incorporated and unincorporated places, regional groupings, a Cities-by-County cross-reference, a Tribal Reservations section, and editorial notes on the top 25 places to know.

Montana tourism regions map — Montana Cities Map 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
State population (2024 estimate)	~1,137,000
Largest city	Billings (117,116)
Smallest incorporated town	Ismay (19)
Largest unincorporated CDP	Evergreen (9,206)
Capital city	Helena (34,690)
State area	147,040 sq miles (4th largest in U.S.)
Counties	56
Official tourism regions	6
ZIP codes statewide	293 (all begin with “59”)
Area code statewide	406 (single area code)
Tribal reservations	7
Time zone	Mountain Time (MST/MDT)

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 (Title 7, Chapter 1, Part 41 of the Montana Code Annotated):

A first-class city has at least 10,000 residents
A second-class city has 5,000–9,999 residents
A third-class city has 1,000–4,999 residents
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 and Census Designated Places (CDPs) — Big Sky, Bigfork, Evergreen, Lockwood, Orchard Homes, Lolo, Four Corners, and many more. These places have functioning post offices, businesses, and identities, but no local government. Some (like Evergreen at 9,206 and Lockwood at 7,195) are larger and more prominent than many incorporated cities.

Interactive Montana Map with Towns and Cities

The interactive map below shows every Montana city, town, and major unincorporated community covered in this guide. Click any pin for the population, county, and a link to the detailed town page.

Montana Cities Map

Every Montana City & Town

All 184 places in this guide, plotted across Big Sky Country. Search a town, filter by region or size, and tap any dot for the full local guide.

184 places shown

Size

Marker size = population 50,000+ 10k–50k 1k–10k 300–1k under 300

Color shows the official Montana tourism region. Dot size reflects 2020 census population.

Click any pin on the map to see population, county, ZIP code, and a link to the full town guide.

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, Evergreen, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, West Glacier, Missoula, Hamilton, Stevensville, Florence, Lolo, Libby, Troy, Eureka, Thompson Falls, Plains, Superior, Noxon, Trout Creek, St. Ignatius, Ronan, Pablo, Arlee.

2. Yellowstone Country (South-Central Montana)

Gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

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

3. Central Montana

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

Main towns: Great Falls, Black Eagle, Lewistown, Fort Benton, Choteau, Augusta, Stanford, Hobson, Moore, Harlowton, Judith Gap, Roundup, Lavina, Melstone, Ryegate, Belt, Cascade, Vaughn, Denton, Winifred, Winnett, Roy, Grass Range, Geraldine, Neihart, White Sulphur Springs, Martinsdale, Townsend, Big Sandy.

4. Southwest Montana

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

Main towns: Helena, East Helena, Butte, Walkerville, Anaconda, Dillon, Lima, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Drummond, Ennis, Twin Bridges, Sheridan, Virginia City, Nevada City, Whitehall, Boulder, Lincoln, Wolf Creek, Clancy, Montana City, Jefferson City, Hot Springs.

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, Zortman, Dodson.

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, Ryegate.

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 cities map with 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. County and primary ZIP code shown after each name.

A

Absarokee (Stillwater, 59001) · Alberton (Mineral, 59820) · Anaconda (Deer Lodge, 59711) · Arlee (Lake, 59821) · Ashland (Rosebud, 59003) · Augusta (Lewis and Clark, 59410)

B

Bainville (Roosevelt, 59212) · Baker (Fallon, 59313) · Bearcreek (Carbon, 59007) · Belgrade (Gallatin, 59714) · Belt (Cascade, 59412) · Bigfork (Flathead, 59911) · Big Sandy (Chouteau, 59520) · Big Sky (Gallatin/Madison, 59716) · Big Timber (Sweet Grass, 59011) · Billings (Yellowstone, 59101) · Black Eagle (Cascade, 59414) · Bonner (Missoula, 59823) · Boulder (Jefferson, 59632) · Bozeman (Gallatin, 59715) · Bridger (Carbon, 59014) · Broadus (Powder River, 59317) · Broadview (Yellowstone, 59015) · Brockton (Roosevelt, 59213) · Browning (Glacier, 59417) · Busby (Big Horn, 59016) · Butte (Silver Bow, 59701) · Bynum (Teton, 59419)

C

Carlton (Missoula, 59847) · Cascade (Cascade, 59421) · Charlo (Lake, 59824) · Chester (Liberty, 59522) · Chinook (Blaine, 59523) · Choteau (Teton, 59422) · Churchill (Gallatin, 59741) · Circle (McCone, 59215) · Clancy (Jefferson, 59634) · Clinton (Missoula, 59825) · Clyde Park (Park, 59018) · Colstrip (Rosebud, 59323) · Columbia Falls (Flathead, 59912) · Columbus (Stillwater, 59019) · Condon (Missoula, 59826) · Conrad (Pondera, 59425) · Cooke City (Park, 59020) · Corvallis (Ravalli, 59828) · Culbertson (Roosevelt, 59218) · Cut Bank (Glacier, 59427)

D

Darby (Ravalli, 59829) · Deer Lodge (Powell, 59722) · Denton (Fergus, 59430) · Dillon (Beaverhead, 59725) · Dodson (Phillips, 59524) · Drummond (Granite, 59832) · Dutton (Teton, 59433)

E

East Glacier Park Village (Glacier, 59434) · East Helena (Lewis and Clark, 59635) · East Missoula (Missoula, 59802) · Ekalaka (Carter, 59324) · Ennis (Madison, 59729) · Eureka (Lincoln, 59917) · Evergreen (Flathead, 59901)

F

Fairfield (Teton, 59436) · Fairview (Richland, 59221) · Flaxville (Daniels, 59222) · Florence (Ravalli, 59833) · Forsyth (Rosebud, 59327) · Fort Benton (Chouteau, 59442) · Fort Peck (Valley, 59223) · Four Corners (Gallatin, 59718) · Frenchtown (Missoula, 59834) · Froid (Roosevelt, 59226) · Fromberg (Carbon, 59029)

G

Gallatin Gateway (Gallatin, 59730) · Gardiner (Park, 59030) · Geraldine (Chouteau, 59446) · Glasgow (Valley, 59230) · Glendive (Dawson, 59330) · Grass Range (Fergus, 59032) · Great Falls (Cascade, 59401)

H

Hamilton (Ravalli, 59840) · Hardin (Big Horn, 59034) · Harlem (Blaine, 59526) · Harlowton (Wheatland, 59036) · Havre (Hill, 59501) · Hays (Blaine, 59527) · Heart Butte (Pondera, 59448) · Helena (Lewis and Clark, 59601) · Hingham (Hill, 59528) · Hobson (Judith Basin, 59452) · Hot Springs (Sanders, 59845) · Hungry Horse (Flathead, 59919) · Hysham (Treasure, 59038)

I

Ismay (Custer, 59336)

J

Jefferson City (Jefferson, 59638) · Joliet (Carbon, 59041) · Jordan (Garfield, 59337) · Judith Gap (Wheatland, 59453)

K

Kalispell (Flathead, 59901) · Kevin (Toole, 59454)

L

Lakeside (Flathead, 59922) · Lame Deer (Rosebud, 59043) · Laurel (Yellowstone, 59044) · Lavina (Golden Valley, 59046) · Lewistown (Fergus, 59457) · Libby (Lincoln, 59923) · Lima (Beaverhead, 59739) · Lincoln (Lewis and Clark, 59639) · Livingston (Park, 59047) · Lockwood (Yellowstone, 59101) · Lodge Grass (Big Horn, 59050) · Lolo (Missoula, 59847)

M

Malta (Phillips, 59538) · Manhattan (Gallatin, 59741) · Marion (Flathead, 59925) · Martinsdale (Meagher, 59053) · Medicine Lake (Sheridan, 59247) · Melstone (Musselshell, 59054) · Miles City (Custer, 59301) · Missoula (Missoula, 59801) · Montana City (Jefferson, 59634) · Moore (Fergus, 59464)

N

Nashua (Valley, 59248) · Neihart (Cascade, 59465) · Nevada City (Madison, 59755) · Noxon (Sanders, 59853)

O

Opheim (Valley, 59250) · Orchard Homes (Missoula, 59804) · Outlook (Sheridan, 59252)

P

Pablo (Lake, 59855) · Park City (Stillwater, 59063) · Philipsburg (Granite, 59858) · Pinesdale (Ravalli, 59841) · Plains (Sanders, 59859) · Plentywood (Sheridan, 59254) · Plevna (Fallon, 59344) · Polson (Lake, 59860) · Poplar (Roosevelt, 59255) · Pray (Park, 59065)

R

Red Lodge (Carbon, 59068) · Rexford (Lincoln, 59930) · Richey (Dawson, 59259) · Ronan (Lake, 59864) · Roundup (Musselshell, 59072) · Roy (Fergus, 59471) · Ryegate (Golden Valley, 59074)

S

Saco (Phillips, 59261) · Scobey (Daniels, 59263) · Seeley Lake (Missoula, 59868) · Shelby (Toole, 59474) · Sheridan (Madison, 59749) · Sidney (Richland, 59270) · Silver Gate (Park, 59081) · Somers (Flathead, 59932) · St. Ignatius (Lake, 59865) · Stanford (Judith Basin, 59479) · Stevensville (Ravalli, 59870) · Sunburst (Toole, 59482) · Superior (Mineral, 59872)

T

Terry (Prairie, 59349) · Thompson Falls (Sanders, 59873) · Three Forks (Gallatin, 59752) · Townsend (Broadwater, 59644) · Trout Creek (Sanders, 59874) · Troy (Lincoln, 59935) · Twin Bridges (Madison, 59754)

V

Valier (Pondera, 59486) · Vaughn (Cascade, 59487) · Victor (Ravalli, 59875) · Virginia City (Madison, 59755)

W

Walkerville (Silver Bow, 59701) · West Glacier (Flathead, 59936) · West Yellowstone (Gallatin, 59758) · Westby (Sheridan, 59275) · White Sulphur Springs (Meagher, 59645) · Whitefish (Flathead, 59937) · Whitehall (Jefferson, 59759) · Wibaux (Wibaux, 59353) · Wilsall (Park, 59086) · Winifred (Fergus, 59489) · Winnett (Petroleum, 59087) · Wolf Creek (Lewis and Clark, 59648) · Wolf Point (Roosevelt, 59201)

Z

Zortman (Phillips, 59546)

Montana Cities by County

Montana has 56 counties. Below is every Montana city, town, and major unincorporated community organized by county. This is the most useful framing for understanding administrative geography and is searchable for queries like “towns in Gallatin County Montana” or “cities in Yellowstone County.”

Note: Counties not listed have no incorporated municipalities or CDPs currently covered in this guide. Several counties (notably Lake, Glacier, Roosevelt, Big Horn, Rosebud, and Blaine) contain portions of Indian reservations governed by sovereign tribal nations — see the Tribal Reservations section below.

Montana Towns on Tribal Reservations

Seven federally recognized Indian reservations cover approximately 8% of Montana’s land area. The reservations are sovereign tribal nations with their own governments, courts, and laws — visiting protocol, jurisdictional realities, and cultural context all matter. Below are the reservations and their main communities.

1. Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Tribe: Blackfeet Nation (Niitsitapi / Amskapi Piikani — Southern Piikuni)
Size: ~1.5 million acres
Headquarters: Browning
Counties: Glacier, Pondera
Main communities: Browning · East Glacier Park Village · Heart Butte · Babb · St. Mary · Starr School

Notable context: The reservation borders Glacier National Park on its eastern side. The substantial Badger-Two Medicine sacred area in the southwest corner of the reservation is one of the most spiritually significant Indigenous landscapes in North America.

2. Crow Indian Reservation

Tribe: Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation
Size: ~2.3 million acres (largest reservation in Montana)
Headquarters: Crow Agency
Counties: Big Horn, Yellowstone, Treasure
Main communities: Hardin · Lodge Grass · Crow Agency · Pryor · St. Xavier · Wyola

Notable context: The reservation contains the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (site of the 1876 battle) and the substantial annual Crow Fair held every August at Crow Agency — substantial one of the largest Native American gatherings in North America.

3. Confederated Salish and Kootenai (CSKT) — Flathead Indian Reservation

Tribes: Bitterroot Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai
Size: ~1.3 million acres
Headquarters: Pablo
Counties: Lake, Sanders, Missoula, Flathead
Main communities: Polson · Ronan · St. Ignatius · Pablo · Arlee · Charlo · Hot Springs · Elmo · Dixon

Notable context: The CSKT was the substantial first tribal nation in the United States to purchase and operate a federal hydroelectric dam (the Kerr Dam, now SKQ Dam, on the lower Flathead River). The reservation contains the southern half of substantial Flathead Lake — the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

4. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

Tribes: Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Nakoda (Assiniboine)
Size: ~675,000 acres
Headquarters: Harlem (Fort Belknap Agency)
Counties: Blaine, Phillips
Main communities: Hays · Harlem (Agency adjacent) · Lodge Pole · Fort Belknap Agency

Notable context: Site of the substantial Snake Butte Bison Range — substantial Aaniiih buffalo restoration project that has substantially grown from 27 founding animals to 500+. The reservation is bordered on the south by the Little Rocky Mountains, which were substantially transferred from tribal control by the 1895 Grinnell coercive agreement — see the Zortman post for substantial honest framing of that history.

5. Fort Peck Indian Reservation

Tribes: Assiniboine and Sioux (Dakota and Lakota)
Size: ~2.1 million acres (second-largest in Montana)
Headquarters: Poplar
Counties: Roosevelt, Daniels, Valley, Sheridan
Main communities: Wolf Point · Poplar · Brockton · Fort Kipp · Frazer · Oswego

Notable context: Fort Peck’s substantial annual Wadopana Powwow (one of the substantial oldest traditional powwows in North America, established 1969) and the substantial Fort Peck Theatre at the Fort Peck Dam.

6. Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

Tribe: Northern Cheyenne (Tsétsêhéstâhese)
Size: ~444,000 acres
Headquarters: Lame Deer
Counties: Rosebud, Big Horn
Main communities: Lame Deer · Busby · Ashland (just east of reservation boundary) · Birney · Muddy

Notable context: Northern Cheyenne heritage includes substantial Chief Two Moons (one of three Indigenous leaders whose features inspired the substantial Buffalo Nickel of 1913-1938) and the substantial 1993 repatriation of remains from Fort Robinson. St. Labre Indian School at Ashland reached a substantial $11 million settlement with Northern Cheyenne and Crow plaintiffs in 2019 over historical abuse.

7. Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

Tribe: Chippewa Cree
Size: ~122,000 acres (smallest reservation in Montana)
Headquarters: Box Elder (Rocky Boy Agency)
County: Hill (with portions in Chouteau)
Main communities: Rocky Boy Agency · Box Elder · Parker School

Notable context: Established 1916 — the substantial last reservation created in Montana. Named for Chief Stone Child (“Rocky Boy”), a Chippewa leader who substantially advocated for the reservation’s creation.

For substantial broader Indigenous heritage context, see my Montana history hub.

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 (117,116)

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 (76,848)

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 (56,123 — growing fast)

Yellowstone gateway and the fastest-growing major 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 (60,442)

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 (35,133)

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 (34,690) — 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 (26,225)

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

8. Whitefish (8,706)

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 (5,253)

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

11. Livingston (8,040)

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 (5,074)

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 (2,378)

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 (1,380)

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 (unincorporated)

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 (5,902)

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 (8,354)

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 (4,873)

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

22. Sidney (6,302)

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

23. Dillon (4,408)

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

24. Philipsburg (916)

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: Incorporated Montana Municipalities

The table below shows all incorporated Montana municipalities with population data from the 2020 U.S. Census, plus county and primary ZIP code.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2020) and Montana Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC). 2024 estimates are provisional from CEIC.

Note: Updated estimates are released annually — verify current population for individual towns where exact numbers matter.

Rank	City / Town	County	Primary ZIP	2020 Pop	2024 Est.	Change (vs 2010)	% Change
1	Billings	Yellowstone	59101	117,116	~120,000	7,531	6.9%
2	Missoula	Missoula	59801	76,848	~79,000	9,144	13.5%
3	Great Falls	Cascade	59401	60,442	~61,000	1,963	3.4%
4	Bozeman	Gallatin	59715	56,123	~59,000	18,479	49.1%
5	Butte–Silver Bow	Silver Bow	59701	35,133	~35,500	1,608	4.8%
6	Helena	Lewis and Clark	59601	34,690	~35,500	6,094	21.3%
7	Kalispell	Flathead	59901	26,225	~28,000	6,533	33.2%
8	Belgrade	Gallatin	59714	11,031	~11,800	3,672	49.9%
9	Havre	Hill	59501	9,719	~9,700	-91	-0.9%
10	Anaconda–Deer Lodge	Deer Lodge	59711	9,421	~9,400	137	1.5%
11	Whitefish	Flathead	59937	8,706	~9,100	2,366	37.3%
12	Miles City	Custer	59301	8,354	~8,400	144	1.8%
13	Livingston	Park	59047	8,040	~8,100	333	4.3%
14	Laurel	Yellowstone	59044	6,718	~6,700	-27	-0.4%
15	Sidney	Richland	59270	6,302	~6,300	1,118	21.6%
16	Columbia Falls	Flathead	59912	6,278	~6,400	1,191	23.4%
17	Lewistown	Fergus	59457	5,902	~5,900	12	0.2%
18	Polson	Lake	59860	5,253	~5,400	524	11.1%
19	Hamilton	Ravalli	59840	5,074	~5,150	564	12.5%
20	Glendive	Dawson	59330	4,873	~4,850	-52	-1.1%
21	Dillon	Beaverhead	59725	4,408	~4,450	274	6.6%
22	Hardin	Big Horn	59034	3,742	~3,750	81	2.2%
23	Glasgow	Valley	59230	3,363	~3,400	113	3.5%
24	Cut Bank	Glacier	59427	3,032	~3,000	-22	-0.7%
25	Shelby	Toole	59474	3,007	~3,000	31	1.0%
26	Libby	Lincoln	59923	2,872	~2,900	244	9.3%
27	Deer Lodge	Powell	59722	2,810	~2,800	22	0.8%
28	Wolf Point	Roosevelt	59201	2,656	~2,600	-65	-2.4%
29	Conrad	Pondera	59425	2,425	~2,400	-20	-0.8%
30	Red Lodge	Carbon	59068	2,378	~2,450	122	5.4%
31	Colstrip	Rosebud	59323	2,243	~2,200	-103	-4.4%
32	Townsend	Broadwater	59644	2,236	~2,300	152	7.3%
33	Ronan	Lake	59864	2,184	~2,200	92	4.4%
34	East Helena	Lewis and Clark	59635	2,164	~2,250	257	13.5%
35	Stevensville	Ravalli	59870	2,155	~2,200	199	10.2%
36	Columbus	Stillwater	59019	2,135	~2,170	167	8.5%
37	Three Forks	Gallatin	59752	2,059	~2,150	175	9.3%
38	Manhattan	Gallatin	59741	2,030	~2,150	510	33.6%
39	Baker	Fallon	59313	1,901	~1,880	-41	-2.1%
40	Roundup	Musselshell	59072	1,880	~1,900	92	5.1%
41	Malta	Phillips	59538	1,857	~1,830	-140	-7.0%
42	Choteau	Teton	59422	1,762	~1,780	53	3.1%
43	Forsyth	Rosebud	59327	1,757	~1,740	-20	-1.1%
44	Plentywood	Sheridan	59254	1,720	~1,700	-16	-0.9%
45	Big Timber	Sweet Grass	59011	1,696	~1,720	55	3.4%
46	Eureka	Lincoln	59917	1,485	~1,500	33	2.3%
47	Thompson Falls	Sanders	59873	1,449	~1,500	134	10.2%
48	Fort Benton	Chouteau	59442	1,448	~1,470	84	6.2%
49	West Yellowstone	Gallatin	59758	1,380	~1,420	109	8.6%
50	Boulder	Jefferson	59632	1,309	~1,330	26	2.0%
51	Chinook	Blaine	59523	1,233	~1,210	-54	-4.2%
52	Whitehall	Jefferson	59759	1,173	~1,170	-19	-1.6%
53	Plains	Sanders	59859	1,154	~1,180	106	10.1%
54	Ennis	Madison	59729	1,074	~1,120	235	28.0%
55	Pinesdale	Ravalli	59841	1,045	~1,080	161	18.2%
56	Browning	Glacier	59417	1,016	~1,000	-62	-5.8%
57	Harlowton	Wheatland	59036	1,005	~1,000	8	0.8%
58	Troy	Lincoln	59935	991	~1,010	53	5.7%
59	Scobey	Daniels	59263	970	~980	30	3.2%
60	White Sulphur Springs	Meagher	59645	923	~920	-16	-1.7%
61	Philipsburg	Granite	59858	916	~940	96	11.7%
62	Superior	Mineral	59872	905	~920	92	11.3%
63	Fairview	Richland	59221	886	~890	138	18.4%
64	Chester	Liberty	59522	874	~870	-73	-7.7%
65	St. Ignatius	Lake	59865	851	~860	60	7.6%
66	Poplar	Roosevelt	59255	838	~830	-48	-5.4%
67	Darby	Ravalli	59829	834	~850	90	12.1%
68	Culbertson	Roosevelt	59218	791	~790	-3	-0.4%
69	Harlem	Blaine	59526	783	~790	35	4.7%
70	Bridger	Carbon	59014	776	~785	70	9.9%
71	Sheridan	Madison	59749	776	~790	105	15.6%
72	Fairfield	Teton	59436	740	~750	51	7.4%
73	Walkerville	Silver Bow	59701	717	~720	41	6.1%
74	Cascade	Cascade	59421	680	~680	-8	-1.2%
75	Joliet	Carbon	59041	671	~680	79	13.3%
76	Circle	McCone	59215	603	~610	16	2.7%
77	Hot Springs	Sanders	59845	591	~600	47	8.6%
78	Wibaux	Wibaux	59353	580	~580	3	0.5%
79	Belt	Cascade	59412	572	~580	39	7.3%
80	Big Sandy	Chouteau	59520	569	~570	9	1.6%
81	Terry	Prairie	59349	554	~550	-2	-0.4%
82	Valier	Pondera	59486	478	~480	-8	-1.6%
83	Fromberg	Carbon	59029	473	~480	32	7.3%
84	Alberton	Mineral	59820	468	~490	95	25.5%
85	Broadus	Powder River	59317	466	~470	-2	-0.4%
86	Lodge Grass	Big Horn	59050	445	~450	17	4.0%
87	Twin Bridges	Madison	59754	438	~445	38	9.5%
88	Stanford	Judith Basin	59479	392	~395	6	1.6%
89	Jordan	Garfield	59337	391	~395	28	7.7%
90	Ekalaka	Carter	59324	370	~375	38	11.4%
91	Drummond	Granite	59832	332	~335	-34	-9.3%
92	Sunburst	Toole	59482	331	~330	-41	-11.0%
93	Dutton	Teton	59433	328	~335	38	13.1%
94	Bainville	Roosevelt	59212	319	~310	153	92.2%
95	Clyde Park	Park	59018	315	~325	24	8.2%
96	Hysham	Treasure	59038	309	~310	9	3.0%
97	Nashua	Valley	59248	288	~290	35	13.8%
98	Geraldine	Chouteau	59446	253	~255	12	5.0%
99	Fort Peck	Valley	59223	239	~240	6	2.6%
100	Ryegate	Golden Valley	59074	237	~235	-8	-3.3%
101	Denton	Fergus	59430	236	~235	-19	-7.4%
102	Hobson	Judith Basin	59452	231	~230	-13	-5.3%
103	Lima	Beaverhead	59739	229	~230	5	2.2%
104	Virginia City	Madison	59755	228	~230	39	20.6%
105	Medicine Lake	Sheridan	59247	221	~220	-1	-0.5%
106	Froid	Roosevelt	59226	207	~205	12	6.2%
107	Winifred	Fergus	59489	198	~200	47	31.1%
108	Winnett	Petroleum	59087	192	~195	8	4.3%
109	Saco	Phillips	59261	188	~185	-10	-5.1%
110	Moore	Fergus	59464	184	~185	41	28.7%
111	Broadview	Yellowstone	59015	184	~190	26	16.5%
112	Richey	Dawson	59259	171	~170	-7	-3.9%
113	Lavina	Golden Valley	59046	170	~170	-16	-8.6%
114	Rexford	Lincoln	59930	163	~170	50	44.2%
115	Westby	Sheridan	59275	154	~150	-16	-9.4%
116	Plevna	Fallon	59344	143	~145	6	4.4%
117	Kevin	Toole	59454	138	~135	-16	-10.4%
118	Judith Gap	Wheatland	59453	129	~130	12	10.3%
119	Hingham	Hill	59528	120	~120	-19	-13.7%
120	Dodson	Phillips	59524	118	~120	23	24.2%
121	Melstone	Musselshell	59054	113	~115	17	17.7%
122	Grass Range	Fergus	59032	107	~105	5	4.9%
123	Bearcreek	Carbon	59007	88	~90	9	11.4%
124	Opheim	Valley	59250	84	~80	-7	-7.7%
125	Flaxville	Daniels	59222	67	~65	-3	-4.3%
126	Neihart	Cascade	59465	50	~50	-1	-2.0%
127	Outlook	Sheridan	59252	48	~50	-1	-2.0%
128	Ismay	Custer	59336	19	~20	-1	-5.0%

Figures shown are 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data and provisional 2024 CEIC estimates. For the most current annual estimates, see the Montana Census and Economic Information Center. This table is updated periodically.

Major Unincorporated Communities and Census Designated Places (CDPs)

Several of Montana’s most prominent and populous places are unincorporated — meaning they have no local government but function as substantial communities. Evergreen (north of Kalispell) is actually larger than 9 of the 10 largest incorporated cities in the state. This table covers all the major unincorporated communities and CDPs covered in this guide.

CDP / Unincorporated Community	County	Primary ZIP	2020 Pop (est.)	Notable Context
Evergreen	Flathead	59901	9,206	Larger than Belgrade; 2nd largest in Flathead County
Lockwood	Yellowstone	59101	7,195	2nd largest in Billings metropolitan area
Orchard Homes	Missoula	59804	5,377	Missoula’s substantial western suburb
Bigfork	Flathead	59911	~5,000	Flathead Lake arts community
Lolo	Missoula	59847	4,037	Missoula’s southern suburb; Lolo Hot Springs
Helena Valley (West Central)	Lewis and Clark	59601	~7,800	Helena’s western suburbs
Big Sky	Gallatin/Madison	59716	~3,300	Major ski resort
Montana City	Jefferson	59634	2,918	South of Helena; oldest paleoindian site
Carlton	Missoula	59847	~2,800	Bitterroot Valley community
East Missoula	Missoula	59802	2,465	Eastern entrance to Missoula
Bonner	Missoula	59823	1,663	Clark Fork-Blackfoot confluence
Four Corners	Gallatin	59718	~2,000	Bozeman suburb (fastest-growing)
Gallatin Gateway	Gallatin	59730	~900	Big Sky corridor
Pray	Park	59065	~700	Paradise Valley; Chico Hot Springs
Marion	Flathead	59925	1,119	Great Northern Railway heritage
Hays	Blaine	59527	~700	Fort Belknap Reservation
Heart Butte	Pondera	59448	621	Blackfeet Reservation
Clancy	Jefferson	59634	~1,800	South Helena suburb
Lakeside	Flathead	59922	~2,600	Flathead Lake’s west shore
Somers	Flathead	59932	~900	Flathead Lake’s northern tip
Cooke City	Park	59020	~75	Yellowstone NE Entrance
Silver Gate	Park	59081	~20	Yellowstone NE Entrance
West Glacier	Flathead	59936	~220	Glacier NP main entrance
East Glacier Park Village	Glacier	59434	363	Glacier NP eastern gateway
Hungry Horse	Flathead	59919	~830	Hungry Horse Dam
Pablo	Lake	59855	2,254	CSKT Tribal HQ
Charlo	Lake	59824	~430	National Bison Range community
Arlee	Lake	59821	~640	Flathead Reservation southern gateway
Lame Deer	Rosebud	59043	2,049	Northern Cheyenne Tribal HQ
Ashland	Rosebud	59003	~480	St. Labre Indian School
Busby	Big Horn	59016	~640	Northern Cheyenne; Two Moons monument
Black Eagle	Cascade	59414	905	Historic 506 ft Big Stack
Vaughn	Cascade	59487	~600	Robert Vaughn 1869 homestead
Park City	Stillwater	59063	~1,000	Lewis & Clark canoe camp site
Trout Creek	Sanders	59874	277	Huckleberry Capital of Montana
Noxon	Sanders	59853	~225	Cabinet Mountains gateway
Jefferson City	Jefferson	59638	~310	First Jefferson County seat
Churchill	Gallatin	59741	~1,030	Dutch settlement heritage
Wilsall	Park	59086	~230	Shields River Valley
Clyde Park	Park	59018	~310	Shields River Valley
Martinsdale	Meagher	59053	~70	Charles M. Bair Family Museum
Roy	Fergus	59471	~80	UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge gateway
Bynum	Teton	59419	~30	Two Medicine Dinosaur Center
Condon	Missoula	59826	~440	Swan Valley
Seeley Lake	Missoula	59868	1,659	Seeley-Swan Valley recreation gateway
Wolf Creek	Lewis and Clark	59648	~330	Missouri River fishing access
Lincoln	Lewis and Clark	59639	990	Blackfoot River; Unabomber cabin site
Zortman	Phillips	59546	~60	Mining ghost town; Pegasus Gold legacy

CDP populations are 2020 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Unincorporated community populations are approximate, based on local sources.

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)
Belgrade — +49.9%
Bozeman — +49.1%
Rexford — +44.2%
Whitefish — +37.3%
Manhattan — +33.6%
Kalispell — +33.2%
Winifred — +31.1%
Moore — +28.7%
Ennis — +28.0%

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
Missoula — ~30 sq miles
Great Falls — ~22 sq miles
Bozeman — ~20 sq miles
Helena — ~16 sq miles
Kalispell — ~11 sq miles
Whitefish — ~6 sq miles
Shelby — ~3 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
Bearcreek — 88
Grass Range — 107
Melstone — 113
Dodson — 118
Hingham — 120

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
Evergreen — Montana’s largest unincorporated community (9,206)
Lockwood — Billings’ largest suburb
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
Orchard Homes — Missoula’s western suburb (5,377)

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.

Geographic Quick-Reference: Montana Town Extremes

Quick reference for “extreme geography” questions about Montana’s cities and towns:

Distinction	Town	Notes
Northernmost incorporated town	Sunburst (Toole County)	~7 miles from Canadian border
Northernmost town near border	Sweet Grass (Toole County)	Customs port-of-entry
Southernmost incorporated town	Lima (Beaverhead County)	Near Idaho border
Easternmost incorporated town	Westby (Sheridan County)	On the North Dakota border
Westernmost incorporated town	Heron (Sanders County)	Near Idaho border
Highest elevation town	Cooke City (Park County)	~7,608 ft
2nd highest elevation town	Silver Gate (Park County)	~7,400 ft
Lowest elevation town	Troy (Lincoln County)	~1,892 ft
Oldest continuously-settled town	Stevensville (Ravalli County)	St. Mary’s Mission founded 1841
First Montana Territory capital	Bannack (Beaverhead County, now ghost town)	1864
State capital	Helena (Lewis and Clark County)	Since 1875
Largest by population	Billings (Yellowstone County)	117,116 (2020)
Largest by area	Anaconda–Deer Lodge	740+ sq mi (consolidated)
Smallest incorporated	Ismay (Custer County)	19 residents
Most isolated town	Jordan (Garfield County)	Garfield Co. has no traffic lights
Most remote major town	Ekalaka (Carter County)	Closest interstate is 90+ mi
Closest to Yellowstone NE entrance	Silver Gate	~1 mile to park boundary
Closest to Glacier NP	West Glacier	Adjacent to park entrance
Largest at higher elevation	Bozeman	4,820 ft
Largest unincorporated	Evergreen (Flathead County)	9,206 — bigger than Belgrade

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. East Glacier Park Village if you’re entering from the east side.

Best Base for Yellowstone

Gardiner for North Entrance access; West Yellowstone for west and geyser basins; Cooke City for serious wildlife watchers 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, Nevada City, Philipsburg, Bannack, or Butte — all preserve Montana’s mining and frontier history in different ways.

Best Small Town for Authentic Montana

Livingston, Lewistown, Augusta, Choteau, Big Timber, or Stanford — 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, Augusta, Jordan, or Ekalaka — places where cell service drops out and the night sky takes over.

Best for Native American Heritage

Browning (Blackfeet), Pablo (CSKT Tribal Headquarters and People’s Center museum), Crow Agency (Crow Tribal HQ and Little Bighorn Battlefield), Lame Deer (Northern Cheyenne), Hays (Fort Belknap).

Best College Towns

Missoula (University of Montana), Bozeman (Montana State University), Dillon (University of Montana Western), Havre (MSU-Northern), Billings (MSU Billings).

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 (117,116) 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.

The largest “place” isn’t always an incorporated city. Evergreen (9,206), Lockwood (7,195), and Orchard Homes (5,377) are all unincorporated CDPs larger than dozens of incorporated cities. Search results often skip them — but they’re real places with real populations and substantial services.

Tribal nations operate as separate governments. Many of the most prominent Montana communities (Browning, Pablo, Lame Deer, Crow Agency, Hays, Heart Butte) 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, Big Timber — there are towns by these names in other states too. Always specify “Montana” when searching to get the right place.

Some “ghost towns” still have residents. Virginia City (228), Nevada City (~5 year-round), Zortman (~60), Bannack (0 — true ghost town) all have different levels of contemporary occupation. The “ghost town” label gets used loosely.

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, the substantial paleoindian-site-and-Henry-Kaiser-cement-plant heritage of Montana City, the 130-year railroad-and-huckleberry character of Trout Creek. 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 and Census Designated Places, including substantial places like Evergreen (9,206), Lockwood (7,195), Orchard Homes (5,377), 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 117,116 (2020 census). It’s the only Montana city with more than 100,000 residents. The next-largest cities are Missoula (76,848), Great Falls (60,442), Bozeman (56,123), and Butte–Silver Bow (35,133).

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 34,690 (2020 census). 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 49.1% between 2010 and 2020. Belgrade (adjacent to Bozeman) grew at similar rates (+49.9%), and Whitefish (+37.3%), Kalispell (+33.2%), and Manhattan (+33.6%) all saw growth above 30% during the same period. The growth is driven largely by remote-work migration and outdoor-amenity demand. The fastest-growing tiny town was Bainville at +92.2% (from a low base of 166).

What is the population of Montana?

Montana’s population is approximately 1.08 million as of the 2020 U.S. Census (1,084,225 exact), 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. The 2024 estimate is approximately 1.137 million.

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.

How many first-class cities are in Montana?

Montana has 7 first-class cities (10,000+ residents): Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Butte–Silver Bow, Helena, Kalispell, and Belgrade. Belgrade joined the first-class category after the 2020 census when it crossed the 10,000-resident threshold.

What is the oldest town in Montana?

Stevensville is generally considered Montana’s oldest continuously-settled town. It was founded in 1841 as St. Mary’s Mission by Jesuit Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, making it 23 years older than Montana Territory itself (established 1864). The original mission church still stands in downtown Stevensville. Bannack (now a ghost town and state park in Beaverhead County) was founded in 1862 and became Montana’s first territorial capital, but it isn’t continuously inhabited as a community today.

What is the highest elevation town in Montana?

Cooke City (Park County) is the highest-elevation incorporated community in Montana at approximately 7,608 feet. Its neighbor Silver Gate is at approximately 7,400 feet. Both sit at the substantial entrance to Yellowstone National Park’s Northeast Entrance, accessed via the substantial Beartooth Highway in summer.

What is the northernmost town in Montana?

The northernmost incorporated town in Montana is Sunburst (Toole County), approximately 7 miles from the Canadian border. The northernmost named place near the border itself is Sweet Grass (also Toole County), which serves as a U.S. Customs port-of-entry but is not incorporated.

Are Big Sky and Bigfork official Montana cities?

No — both Big Sky and Bigfork are unincorporated communities, despite being prominent destinations. Big Sky (~3,300 residents) is best known as a major ski resort south of Bozeman, sitting on both sides of the Gallatin–Madison county line. Bigfork (~5,000) 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 is the largest unincorporated community in Montana?

Evergreen (Flathead County, north of Kalispell) is Montana’s largest unincorporated Census Designated Place with 9,206 residents (2020 census) — substantial larger than Belgrade, Whitefish, or Havre, all of which are incorporated cities. The substantial Lockwood CDP (Yellowstone County, east of Billings) is the second-largest at 7,195, and Orchard Homes (Missoula County) is third at 5,377.

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.

How many tribal reservations are in Montana?

Montana has 7 federally recognized Indian reservations, covering approximately 8% of the state’s land area: Blackfeet (headquartered at Browning), Crow (Crow Agency, Big Horn County), Confederated Salish and Kootenai / Flathead (Pablo), Fort Belknap (Harlem), Fort Peck (Poplar), Northern Cheyenne (Lame Deer), and Rocky Boy’s (Box Elder). Each is a sovereign tribal nation with its own government.

How many counties are in Montana?

Montana has 56 counties. The largest by population is Yellowstone County (home to Billings) with approximately 172,000 residents. The smallest is Petroleum County (home to Winnett) with approximately 500 residents. The largest county by area is Beaverhead County at 5,543 square miles; the smallest is Silver Bow County (consolidated with Butte) at 718 square miles.

What ZIP codes does Montana use?

Montana uses 293 ZIP codes ranging from 59001 (Absarokee) to 59937 (Whitefish). All Montana ZIP codes begin with the digits “59” — making Montana one of only a few states where every ZIP code shares the same two-digit prefix. Montana also has a single area code statewide: 406.

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.

Data & Services Overview

U.S. Census Bureau: Provides demographic and economic data, including Montana’s population, median age, and economic statistics.
Montana CEIC: The Census and Economic Information Center is the State Data Center that provides localized maps, demographic datasets, and business economic data.
USPS: Uses U.S. Census Bureau data to manage zip codes and route mail. You can find local post offices and PO box availability using the USPS Location Finder.
Montana Code Annotated: The codified state laws of Montana, which formally established agencies like the CEIC.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). QuickFacts: Montana. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
Montana Department of Commerce. (n.d.). Census and Economic Information Center. Montana Department of Commerce Data + Research
United States Postal Service. (n.d.). Find USPS Locations. USPS Location Finder
Montana State Legislature. (n.d.). Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Montana Legislature Statutes

Montana Cities and Towns at a Glance

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

Interactive Montana Map with Towns and Cities

Montana’s 6 Official Tourism Regions

1. Glacier Country (Northwest Montana)

2. Yellowstone Country (South-Central Montana)

3. Central Montana

4. Southwest Montana

5. Missouri River Country (Northeast Montana)

6. Southeast Montana

Complete A–Z List of Montana Cities and Towns

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Montana Cities by County

Beaverhead County (Seat: Dillon)

Big Horn County (Seat: Hardin)

Blaine County (Seat: Chinook)

Broadwater County (Seat: Townsend)

Carbon County (Seat: Red Lodge)

Carter County (Seat: Ekalaka)

Cascade County (Seat: Great Falls)

Chouteau County (Seat: Fort Benton)

Custer County (Seat: Miles City)

Daniels County (Seat: Scobey)

Dawson County (Seat: Glendive)

Deer Lodge County (Consolidated with Anaconda)

Fallon County (Seat: Baker)

Fergus County (Seat: Lewistown)

Flathead County (Seat: Kalispell)

Gallatin County (Seat: Bozeman)

Garfield County (Seat: Jordan)

Glacier County (Seat: Cut Bank)

Golden Valley County (Seat: Ryegate)

Granite County (Seat: Philipsburg)

Hill County (Seat: Havre)

Jefferson County (Seat: Boulder)

Judith Basin County (Seat: Stanford)

Lake County (Seat: Polson)

Lewis and Clark County (Seat: Helena)

Liberty County (Seat: Chester)

Lincoln County (Seat: Libby)

Madison County (Seat: Virginia City)

McCone County (Seat: Circle)

Meagher County (Seat: White Sulphur Springs)

Mineral County (Seat: Superior)

Missoula County (Seat: Missoula)

Musselshell County (Seat: Roundup)

Park County (Seat: Livingston)

Petroleum County (Seat: Winnett)

Phillips County (Seat: Malta)

Pondera County (Seat: Conrad)

Powder River County (Seat: Broadus)

Powell County (Seat: Deer Lodge)

Prairie County (Seat: Terry)

Ravalli County (Seat: Hamilton)

Richland County (Seat: Sidney)

Roosevelt County (Seat: Wolf Point)

Rosebud County (Seat: Forsyth)

Sanders County (Seat: Thompson Falls)

Sheridan County (Seat: Plentywood)