Powder River County Demographics

A map of Powder River County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,619	1,529	89.2%	90.3%
Multiracial	99	84	5.5%	5.0%
Native American/Other	54	41	3.0%	2.4%
Hispanic	26	35	1.4%	2.1%
Asian	17	0	0.9%	0.0%
Black	0	5	0.0%	0.3%

Powder River County, Montana has an estimated population of 1,815, an increase from the 1,694 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.2% White, 5.5% Multiracial, 3.0% Native American/Other, 1.4% Hispanic, 0.9% Asian, and 0.0% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Powder River County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Powder River has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Montana overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Powder River County, that probability was 18.2% in 2020 and 20.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Powder River County is ranked the 47th most populous county in Montana, out of 56 counties. Powder River County was ranked the 48th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Powder River County's White Population

1,619 residents of Powder River County, or 89.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Powder River County is higher than in Montana overall, where 83.6% of the population is White. Powder River County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's White population has grown by an estimated 5.9%. White residents' share of Powder River County's population has decreased from 90.3% to 89.2%.

Powder River County is more White than neighboring Custer County (89% White), Carter County (88.9% White), Campbell County (84.2% White), and Rosebud County (51.4% White). Powder River County is less White than neighboring Crook County (92.9% White).

Powder River County's Black Population

0 residents of Powder River County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Powder River County is comparable to the share in Montana overall, where 0.4% of the population is Black. Powder River County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Powder River County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Powder River County is less Black than neighboring Carter County (0.1% Black), Campbell County (0.3% Black), and Rosebud County (0.1% Black).

Powder River County's Asian Population

17 residents of Powder River County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Powder River County is comparable to the share in Montana overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Powder River County ranks 54th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 17. Asian residents' share of Powder River County's population has increased from 0.0% to 0.9%.

Powder River County is more Asian than neighboring Custer County (0.5% Asian), Carter County (0% Asian), Campbell County (0.2% Asian), and Crook County (0.2% Asian). Powder River County is less Asian than neighboring Rosebud County (2% Asian).

Powder River County's Hispanic Population

26 residents of Powder River County, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Powder River County is slightly lower than in Montana overall, where 4.6% of the population is Hispanic. Powder River County ranks 48th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 25.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Powder River County's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.4%.

Powder River County is less Hispanic than neighboring Custer County (3.4% Hispanic), Carter County (2.4% Hispanic), Campbell County (9.7% Hispanic), Crook County (2.1% Hispanic), and Rosebud County (3.7% Hispanic).

Powder River County's Native American/Other Population

54 residents of Powder River County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Powder River County is slightly lower than in Montana overall, where 5.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Powder River County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 31.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Powder River County's population has increased from 2.4% to 3.0%.

Powder River County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Custer County (2% Native American/Other), Carter County (0.2% Native American/Other), Campbell County (1% Native American/Other), and Crook County (0.5% Native American/Other). Powder River County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Rosebud County (38% Native American/Other).

Powder River County's Multiracial Population

99 residents of Powder River County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Powder River County is comparable to the share in Montana overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Powder River County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 56 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powder River County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Powder River County's population has increased from 5.0% to 5.5%.

Powder River County is more Multiracial than neighboring Custer County (5.1% Multiracial), Campbell County (4.6% Multiracial), Crook County (4.3% Multiracial), and Rosebud County (4.8% Multiracial). Powder River County is less Multiracial than neighboring Carter County (8.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.