Population 7,519 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Valley County
Household size in Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.37 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.59 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
At 2.59 people per household, Valley County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Montana overall, where it has 2.44 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.32, even as the national average fell.
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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.2 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.1 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.1 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.0, Valley County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 43.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Valley County than nationally: 8.8%, against 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of Montana. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.3 points, 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 Valley County
Renters in Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.5% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.5% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.1% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Valley County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About six in ten owners (59.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.9 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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.8% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.9% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.0% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.5% of the housing in Valley 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1959 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1959 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +6 |
Valley County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1959 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northwest 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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $470 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $513 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $653 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $785 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$315 | +$487 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Valley County costs $785 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $315 a month since 2006–10, up 67%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 22.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Valley County
Bachelor's degrees in Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.3% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.0% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Valley County than nationally: 26.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.1 points, as it has nationally.
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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.1% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.7% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.6% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Valley County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Montana. The share with a diploma has risen 7.4 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 Valley County
| Period | Valley County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.0% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.4% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Valley County has been strong: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. That is in line with the rest of Montana. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Valley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley County | 2.59 | 45.0 | 8.8% | 21.5% | 26.5% | 1966 | $785 | 26.0% | 94.6% | 3.3% |
| Phillips County | 2.35 | 46.6 | 9.0% | 26.5% | 21.8% | 1974 | $538 | 25.0% | 95.1% | 1.7% |
| Roosevelt County | 3.51 | 30.7 | 19.0% | 33.4% | 23.9% | 1973 | $673 | 21.2% | 91.6% | 11.5% |
| Daniels County | 2.01 | 52.7 | 4.0% | 16.9% | 34.7% | 1957 | $576 | 24.4% | 94.6% | 0.5% |
| Sheridan County | 2.45 | 44.9 | 4.5% | 28.2% | 26.9% | 1963 | $825 | 27.5% | 91.3% | 1.9% |
| Blaine County | 3.12 | 36.2 | 19.9% | 34.3% | 18.8% | 1968 | $701 | 23.1% | 90.5% | 15.2% |
| Richland County | 2.58 | 38.7 | 9.5% | 32.9% | 20.6% | 1980 | $908 | 22.2% | 95.3% | 3.1% |
| Williams County | 2.64 | 33.2 | 10.2% | 47.0% | 26.2% | 1992 | $1,083 | 23.2% | 92.9% | 4.3% |
| Hill County | 2.62 | 35.7 | 14.7% | 33.9% | 15.6% | 1971 | $840 | 24.1% | 90.3% | 4.7% |
| McKenzie County | 2.48 | 33.4 | 11.6% | 46.6% | 20.7% | 2005 | $1,471 | 17.9% | 89.7% | 2.4% |
| Chouteau County | 2.75 | 42.2 | 10.2% | 31.8% | 23.4% | 1967 | $646 | 22.5% | 92.6% | 2.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Renville County, MN · Iron County, MI · Iron County, MO · Iron County, WI · Irwin County, GA · Issaquena County, MS · Jack County, TX · Jackson County, CO · Jackson County, SD · Radford City, VA
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 Valley 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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