Yellowstone County

Yellowstone County, MT, has a population of about 164,731 (2020 census). It features a predominantly White population at 88.2%, with smaller percentages of Native American (4.6%), Black or African American (0.8%), Asian (1.0%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.2%). The median age is approximately 38.4 years. Median household income stands at around $59,522, with a poverty rate of about 10.7%. The county's largest city, Billings, serves as Montana's economic hub, contributing to its diverse demographic and economic profile.

As of the latest data, Yellowstone County, MT has a median home value of approximately $318,000. The median gross rent is around $925 per month. The homeownership rate hovers near 65%. Housing units total roughly 65,000, with about 58% being single-family homes. The vacancy rate stands at about 4.5%. Home appreciation has averaged 6% annually over the last decade. These figures are subject to change and may vary by specific locale within the county.

Yellowstone County, MT has a diverse electorate and hosts several key elections, both at the county and city levels.

The most recent general election was in November 2022. Key races included:

• U.S. House of Representatives (Montana's At-Large District)

  • Republican: Matt Rosendale (incumbent) - Won with 56.4% of the vote
  • Democrat: Monica Tranel - 39.3%
  • Libertarian: John Lamb - 4.3%

• Yellowstone County Commissioner (District 2)

  • Republican: Mark Morse - 67.2%
  • Democrat: Denis Pitman (incumbent) - 32.8%

• Yellowstone County Sheriff

  • Republican: Mike Linder (incumbent) - Ran unopposed

Yellowstone County voter turnout for the 2022 general election was approximately 61%. For updated election details and future candidate listings, it is recommended to check the Yellowstone County Elections Office website.

Yellowstone County, MT has a high school graduation rate of approximately 90%, which is higher than the national average of about 88% but slightly below the Montana state average of 92%. Around 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 33% and the state average of 32%. The county hosts several higher education institutions, including Montana State University Billings, contributing to the educational attainment. These figures indicate that Yellowstone County is comparably well-educated, though there's room for improvement in higher education attainment rates relative to state and national levels.

As of the latest available data, Yellowstone County, MT has an unemployment rate of approximately 3.0%, lower than both the national average of around 3.7% and the Montana state average of 3.3%. The county's workforce consists of approximately 84,000 individuals. Key industries include Healthcare and Social Assistance (employing around 18%), Retail Trade (14%), and Educational Services (10%). Compared to national figures, Yellowstone County has a higher proportion of employment in Healthcare and Social Assistance, which stands at about 9% nationwide. Additionally, the Retail Trade sector in Yellowstone County aligns closely with the national average of roughly 11%. The county's focus on these industries indicates a robust local economy centered around essential services and consumer needs.

Yellowstone County, MT, had a median household income of approximately $60,000 in recent years. This is slightly lower than the national average, which is around $68,700, but higher than the Montana state average of approximately $56,500.

While Yellowstone County offers a higher income than the state average, it slightly trails the national median, reflecting regional economic differences.

Yellowstone County, MT, including Billings, saw varied crime rates in recent years. In 2021, the crime rate per 100,000 people was 3,594.3. Violent crimes were notably high at 614.7 incidents per 100,000. Property crimes showed a significant rate of 2,979.6 per 100,000 residents. Below is a table summarizing the crime types and approximate rates:

These figures reflect the county's notable focus areas in law enforcement and community safety efforts.