| Missoula Metropolitan Area | |
| Official Name: | Missoula, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Native Name: | |
| Settlement Type: | Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Image Alt: | Downtown Missoula |
| Map Alt: | Map of Missoula Metropolitan Area |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Montana |
| Subdivision Type2: | Principal City |
| Subdivision Name2: | Missoula |
| Subdivision Type3: | Other Cities |
| Timezone1: | MST |
| Utc Offset1: | -7 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | MDT |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | -6 |
The Missoula metropolitan statistical area is located in the west-central portion of the state, the 2020 United States Census put the MSA's population at 122,458,[1] making it the 2nd largest metropolitan statistical area in Montana.[2] July 1, 2023 Census estimates put the Missoula Metropolitan Area population at 126,939[3] making it the second Metropolitan area in Montana to surpass 100,000 people, behind Billings.
It is the largest metropolitan area between Boise, Idaho, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and between Coeur d'Alene, Idaho,[4] and Billings, Montana.
As of the 2010 census, there were 109,299 people, 45,926 households, and 25,931 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 50,106 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 92.7% white, 2.6% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.1% were German, 17.8% were Irish, 12.3% were English, 7.3% were Norwegian, and 5.4% were American.
Of the 45,926 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.5% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 34.3 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,887 and the median income for a family was $58,302. Males had a median income of $39,603 versus $30,069 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,343. About 8.8% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 2,554 | - | |
| 1880 | 2,537 | -0.7% | |
| 1890 | 14,427 | 468.7% | |
| 1900 | 13,964 | −3.2% | |
| 1910 | 23,596 | 69.0% | |
| 1920 | 24,041 | 1.9% | |
| 1930 | 21,782 | −9.4% | |
| 1940 | 29,038 | 33.3% | |
| 1950 | 35,493 | 22.2% | |
| 1960 | 44,663 | 25.8% | |
| 1970 | 58,263 | 30.5% | |
| 1980 | 76,016 | 30.5% | |
| 1990 | 78,687 | 3.5% | |
| 2000 | 95,802 | 21.8% | |
| 2010 | 109,299 | 14.1% | |
| 2020 | 122,458 | 12.0% |