Population 21,175 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lincoln County
Household size in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.10 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.16 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.38 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.33 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Lincoln County run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.4 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.9 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.7 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 51.6 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.1 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Lincoln County skews older: half of its residents are older than 51.6, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 47.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.1% of households in Lincoln County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Lincoln County
Renters in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.5% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.8% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.4% of households in Lincoln County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 58.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, 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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.3% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.4% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.3% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.3% of the housing in Lincoln 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. Vacancy is up 1.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Lincoln County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the south.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $532 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $628 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $806 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $845 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$313 | +$487 | +$606 |
Rent in Lincoln County runs $845 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $313 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.9% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the south.
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 Lincoln County
Bachelor's degrees in Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.8% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Lincoln County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Only three of Montana's 56 counties have a lower share of college graduates.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.2% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.1% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.7% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Lincoln County is close to the national rate: 89.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Montana as a whole (94.6%). The share with a diploma has risen 3.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Lincoln County
| Period | Lincoln County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.3% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.8%, unemployment in Lincoln County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Montana overall (3.7%). Unemployment has fallen 3.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Lincoln 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | 2.43 | 51.6 | 7.1% | 22.4% | 17.3% | 1982 | $845 | 18.7% | 89.6% | 5.8% |
| Boundary County | 2.59 | 44.7 | 9.3% | 24.7% | 10.7% | 1991 | $975 | 23.9% | 85.6% | 3.0% |
| Flathead County | 2.53 | 43.7 | 8.3% | 27.6% | 12.1% | 1989 | $1,358 | 36.7% | 95.5% | 3.0% |
| Bonner County | 2.52 | 48.2 | 7.1% | 21.7% | 19.2% | 1989 | $1,229 | 28.9% | 92.4% | 5.0% |
| Pend Oreille County | 2.38 | 49.0 | 8.9% | 19.2% | 22.7% | 1984 | $906 | 20.5% | 93.9% | 6.9% |
| Stevens County | 2.52 | 47.4 | 7.5% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1985 | $1,013 | 22.1% | 91.8% | 5.5% |
| Glacier County | 3.11 | 34.8 | 24.6% | 36.3% | 17.1% | 1971 | $715 | 16.8% | 85.5% | 10.2% |
| Ferry County | 2.34 | 51.7 | 8.1% | 21.9% | 23.1% | 1984 | $683 | 16.1% | 91.1% | 12.2% |
| Pondera County | 2.64 | 42.2 | 8.9% | 32.3% | 16.4% | 1968 | $799 | 19.5% | 86.0% | 6.4% |
| Toole County | 2.47 | 39.5 | 5.2% | 36.9% | 18.9% | 1963 | $911 | 22.4% | 86.5% | 4.2% |
| Okanogan County | 2.37 | 43.9 | 13.5% | 27.6% | 18.6% | 1982 | $944 | 24.6% | 85.0% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Garrett County, MD · Sevier County, AR · Sequatchie County, TN · Seminole County, OK · Screven County, GA · Scott County, AR · Grainger County, TN · Goochland County, VA · Gonzales County, TX · Gillespie County, TX
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 Lincoln 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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