HomeMontanaLewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County, Montana: commercial real estate data.
Lewis and Clark County, Montana had an estimated 75,129 residents on July 1, 2024, up 5.9 percent since the 2020 census base of 70,971, across 3,459 square miles. County output reached $5.69 bn in 2024, 2,603 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 86 7(a) approvals worth $60.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Lewis and Clark County
How many people live in Lewis and Clark County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202473,464
- Households31,215
- Average household size2.35
- Median household income$78,237
- Median age41.8
- Median gross rent$1,102 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$393,500
- Home value to household income5.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income16.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher43.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree14.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over52,407
- Population under 1815,566
- Share under 1821.2 percent
- Population 65 and over14,843
- Share 65 and over20.2 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6443,055
- Civilian labor force37,801
- Unemployment rate3.2 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over65.3 percent
- Rank by population among Montana counties6th of 56
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included763rd of 3,222
Lewis and Clark County is the 6th largest of 56 Montana counties by population. A median home costs 5.0 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.2 percent against 20.2 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Lewis and Clark County
Is Lewis and Clark County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202475,129
- Census 2020 base population70,971
- Population change since the 2020 census base5.86 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024317
- Births, 2024669
- Deaths, 2024665
- Natural change, 20244
- Net domestic migration, 2024295
- Net international migration, 202417
- Total net migration, 2024312
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20244,029
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents428th of 3,144
The county has grown 5.86 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Lewis and Clark County
Where are people moving to Lewis and Clark County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,494
- People arriving, from those returns4,361
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,887
- Net household movement607
- Adjusted gross income arriving$180.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$54.8 m
- Average income of an arriving household$72,273
- Average income of a leaving household$66,457
- Largest single originGallatin County (170 households)
- Largest single destinationJefferson County (160 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | 170 | 247 | $12.2 m |
| Missoula County | 145 | 219 | $6.5 m |
| Cascade County | 118 | 200 | $7.0 m |
| Jefferson County | 100 | 172 | $6.1 m |
| Yellowstone County | 81 | 123 | $5.6 m |
| Flathead County | 68 | 113 | $4.1 m |
| Silver Bow County | 56 | 93 | $2.4 m |
| Broadwater County | 44 | 68 | $2.6 m |
Households arriving report $5,816 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Gallatin County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Lewis and Clark County
What is the Lewis and Clark County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$5.69 bn
- County GDP, 2023$5.31 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.1 percent
- GDP change over five years46.3 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Montana areas BEA publishes6th of 56
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes666th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$77,420
Output grew 7.1 percent in the latest year and 46.3 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Lewis and Clark County
Employment by industry in Lewis and Clark County
- Covered employment, annual average39,957
- Establishments reporting3,759
- Average annual pay$62,248
- Average weekly wage$1,197
- Health care and social assistance, employment5,629
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$60,280
- Retail trade, employment4,401
- Retail trade, average annual pay$42,185
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,394
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$23,834
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment2,631
- Professional, scientific and technical services, average annual pay$95,044
- Other services, except public administration, employment2,160
- Construction, employment2,099
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 5,629 | 417 | $60,280 |
| Retail trade | 4,401 | 288 | $42,185 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,394 | 220 | $23,834 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,631 | 690 | $95,044 |
| Other services, except public administration | 2,160 | 379 | $51,602 |
| Construction | 2,099 | 428 | $69,148 |
| Finance and insurance | 1,603 | 188 | $112,569 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,379 | 238 | $43,002 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,629 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Lewis and Clark County
How many businesses are in Lewis and Clark County?
- Establishments, all industries2,603
- Employment at those establishments27,265
- Annual payroll$1.43 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents35.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Lewis and Clark County
Building permits in Lewis and Clark County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024444
- Declared construction value permitted$88.8 m
- Single family units authorized99
- Multifamily units authorized345
- Multifamily share of units77.7 percent
- Average declared value per unit$199,978
- Units authorized per 1,000 households14.2
Multifamily is 77.7 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Lewis and Clark County
SBA loans in Lewis and Clark County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded86
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$60.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$707,072
- Median 7(a) approval$337,750
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,910,250
- Largest single approval$4,750,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)994
- Jobs per approval11.6
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active21
- Distinct industries receiving approvals50
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer25.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms22
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter58
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals7.0 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGeneral Automotive Repair (6)
- Most active lenderGlacier Bank (22)
- 504 approvals recorded32
- 504 gross approval dollars$12.5 m
- Average 504 approval$391,531
- Median 504 approval$288,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval3.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved9.8
- Most active CDCBig Sky Economic Development Corporation (27)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$73.3 m
The average approval of $707,072 sits well above the median of $337,750, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 25.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lewis and Clark County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Lewis and Clark County
Do SBA loans in Lewis and Clark County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded15
- Paid in full14
- Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full14
- Status: Exempt from disclosure54
- Status: Cancelled9
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed8
Only 15 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lewis and Clark County
SBA lending by place in Lewis and Clark County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending3
- Helena, approvals82
- East Helena, approvals3
- Lincoln, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Helena | 82 | $60,127,700 |
| East Helena | 3 | $355,000 |
| Lincoln | 1 | $325,500 |
Helena accounts for 82 approvals against 3 in East Helena. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lewis and Clark County
How large is Lewis and Clark County?
- Land area3,459 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Montana counties14th of 56
- Width, east to west78.5 mi
- Height, north to south105.9 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land21
- Establishments per square mile0.75
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Lewis and Clark County
Flood risk in Lewis and Clark County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Lewis and Clark County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 300038
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 8
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book3
- Of those, participating in the NFIP3
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 8
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Lewis and Clark County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Lewis and Clark County (community 300038), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 8, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Lewis and Clark County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 8, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Lewis and Clark County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Lewis and Clark County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202473,464
- Households31,215
- Average household size2.35
- Median household income$78,237
- Median age41.8
Common questions
Lewis and Clark County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Lewis and Clark County, Montana?
The Census Bureau estimates 75,129 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 73,464, in 31,215 households, ranking 6th of 56 Montana counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Lewis and Clark County's population growing?
The population has grown 5.86 percent since the 2020 census base of 70,971, to 75,129 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 669 births against 665 deaths, with net migration of 312. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Lewis and Clark County?
$78,237. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $393,500, which is 5.0 times income, and median gross rent is $1,102 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Lewis and Clark County?
2,603 establishments, employing 27,265 people with an annual payroll of $1.43 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Lewis and Clark County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,629 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 39,957 jobs at an average annual pay of $62,248, or $1,197 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Lewis and Clark County?
86 7(a) approvals totaling $60.8 m since FY2020, across 21 lenders, with a median approval of $337,750, plus 32 504 approvals worth $12.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Lewis and Clark County?
444 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $88.8 m. Multifamily was 77.7 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Lewis and Clark County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Lewis and Clark County come from?
The largest single origin is Gallatin County, with 170 households. Arriving households report an average income of $72,273 against $66,457 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Lewis and Clark County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Lewis and Clark County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Lewis and Clark County
Cities and places in Lewis and Clark.
18 Census places lie wholly or partly in Lewis and Clark County. All 18 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | city | 33,639 | 82 | Wholly in this county |
| Helena Valley Southeast | CDP | 9,108 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Helena Valley West Central | CDP | 8,056 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Helena Valley Northwest | CDP | 5,183 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Helena Valley Northeast | CDP | 4,659 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| East Helena | city | 1,702 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Helena West Side | CDP | 1,417 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lincoln | CDP | 908 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Unionville | CDP | 412 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| York | CDP | 182 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Craig | CDP | 172 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Augusta | CDP | 165 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Marysville | CDP | 160 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rimini | CDP | 118 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Milford Colony | CDP | 40 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Canyon Creek | CDP | 27 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Gilman | CDP | 12 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Wolf Creek | CDP | 12 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
Nearby