Census Data Shows Aging Population in Valley County

Montana’s Largest Cities Are Aging — But Valley County Is Older Than Most

New Census data shows Montana continues to get older, but the trend is even more noticeable in rural northeastern Montana.

According to recent American Community Survey estimates, Valley County’s median age is about 44.3 years, higher than Montana’s statewide median of roughly 40.4 years. Glasgow is slightly older still, with a median age around 44.6 years.

That puts Valley County above several of Montana’s largest cities, including Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula.

Bozeman remains the youngest of the major cities, with a median age under 30. Missoula has also stayed relatively young, though it has climbed into the mid-30s in recent years. Billings, Great Falls and Helena are older, generally ranging from the upper 30s to around 40.

But Valley County is older than all of them.

Local and Regional Comparison

Across northeastern Montana, the trend becomes even clearer.

Malta has a median age similar to Glasgow and Valley County, coming in around the mid-40s. Wolf Point, however, stands out as significantly younger, with a median age near 33 years, well below both the state and Valley County.

Why It Matters

The numbers highlight a growing divide between Montana’s urban and rural communities.

Smaller communities like those in Valley County are aging faster, driven by fewer young families moving in and more residents aging in place. At the same time, larger cities continue to attract younger workers, students and new residents, helping keep their populations more balanced.

That shift has real implications locally — from workforce availability and school enrollment to housing and increasing demand for healthcare services.

Montana is getting older, but Valley County is already ahead of that curve. With a median age in the mid-40s, the county — along with Glasgow and Malta — is older than the state overall and older than Montana’s largest cities, while nearby Wolf Point remains a much younger outlier in the region.