Population 6,949 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Blaine County
Household size in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.06 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.94 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.12 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.29 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Blaine County is a place of big households: 3.12 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.83, even as the national average fell. Only two of Montana's 56 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.6 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.4 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.8 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.2 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Blaine County is 36.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 35.6, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Montana counties are younger: only five of 56.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.7% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Blaine County: 19.9% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only two of Montana's 56 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Blaine County
Renters in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.0% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 34.3% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Blaine County is about as common as it is nationally: 34.3% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Montana overall (30.8%). Nearly three-quarters of owners (72.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.3 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.8% of the housing in Blaine County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1965 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Blaine County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1968, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1965 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $409 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $444 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $478 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $701 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$292 | +$487 | +$606 |
Rent in Blaine County runs $701 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $292 a month from 2006–10, a 71% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 18.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Blaine County
Bachelor's degrees in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.3% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.1% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Blaine County: 23.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.8 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.2% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.4% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.8% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.5% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Blaine County have finished high school as nationally: 90.5%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Montana as a whole (94.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.3 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Blaine County
| Period | Blaine County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.3% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Blaine County: 15.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Blaine County has the highest unemployment rate of any Montana county. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 5.4 points, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Blaine County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaine County | 3.12 | 36.2 | 19.9% | 34.3% | 18.8% | 1968 | $701 | 23.1% | 90.5% | 15.2% |
| Hill County | 2.62 | 35.7 | 14.7% | 33.9% | 15.6% | 1971 | $840 | 24.1% | 90.3% | 4.7% |
| Phillips County | 2.35 | 46.6 | 9.0% | 26.5% | 21.8% | 1974 | $538 | 25.0% | 95.1% | 1.7% |
| Chouteau County | 2.75 | 42.2 | 10.2% | 31.8% | 23.4% | 1967 | $646 | 22.5% | 92.6% | 2.6% |
| Liberty County | 2.51 | 39.1 | 8.5% | 36.6% | 13.6% | 1966 | $720 | 27.0% | 83.3% | 0.5% |
| Valley County | 2.59 | 45.0 | 8.8% | 21.5% | 26.5% | 1966 | $785 | 26.0% | 94.6% | 3.3% |
| Toole County | 2.47 | 39.5 | 5.2% | 36.9% | 18.9% | 1963 | $911 | 22.4% | 86.5% | 4.2% |
| Pondera County | 2.64 | 42.2 | 8.9% | 32.3% | 16.4% | 1968 | $799 | 19.5% | 86.0% | 6.4% |
| Daniels County | 2.01 | 52.7 | 4.0% | 16.9% | 34.7% | 1957 | $576 | 24.4% | 94.6% | 0.5% |
| Roosevelt County | 3.51 | 30.7 | 19.0% | 33.4% | 23.9% | 1973 | $673 | 21.2% | 91.6% | 11.5% |
| Glacier County | 3.11 | 34.8 | 24.6% | 36.3% | 17.1% | 1971 | $715 | 16.8% | 85.5% | 10.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Schleicher County, TX · Washington County, ID · Franklin County, FL · Jones County, SD · Atoka County, OK · Prairie County, MT · Powder River County, MT · Bailey County, TX · Potter County, SD · Baker County, OR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Blaine County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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