1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Lewis and Clark County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $78,237. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Lewis and Clark County offer.
On this page
- Who lives in Lewis and Clark County
- Labor force snapshot: Lewis and Clark County
- Housing costs in Lewis and Clark County
- Household income in Lewis and Clark County
- Lewis and Clark County at the extremes
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Lewis and Clark County
- Room for a loan payment in Lewis and Clark County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Lewis and Clark County
- Borrowing situations common in Lewis and Clark County
- Steps before you apply in Lewis and Clark County
- Montana rules that apply in Lewis and Clark County
- More guides for Lewis and Clark County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County is home to about 73,464 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 6th most populous of 56 county-level areas in Montana. Land area is 3,458 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 21 per square mile. Metro area: Helena, MT (OMB, 2023). Of the 18 Census places inside Lewis and Clark County, Helena leads by population with about 33,639; 2 of the 18 are incorporated.
Labor force snapshot: Lewis and Clark County
The biggest employer of Lewis and Clark County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by public administration (16%). Relative to Montana (6%), public administration is 11 points bigger in Lewis and Clark County (16%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 68% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Lewis and Clark County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +2.2 pts |
| Public administration | 16.5% | +10.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.6% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | -1.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | -1.2 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Lewis and Clark County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Housing costs in Lewis and Clark County
A typical Lewis and Clark County rental runs $1,102 a month including utilities, which is 2% above Montana. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. Home values center on $393,500, or 5.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 70% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1982. Against the median U.S. county, Lewis and Clark County rent is 26% above.
| Housing | Lewis and Clark County | Montana statewide | Lewis and Clark County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 8% | 13% | -4.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 45% | -4.3 pts |
| Owners | 70% | 69% | +0.9 pts |
| Median home value | $393,500 | $375,800 | 5% higher |
| Mobile homes | 9.6% | 9.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,102/mo | $1,081/mo | 2% higher |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | +0.1 pts |
Household income in Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County households have a median income of $78,237 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 5th of 56 in Montana.
| Yearly household income | Lewis and Clark County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.6% | -4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.4% | +3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.4% | +0.3 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.1% of Lewis and Clark County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lewis and Clark County median.
Lewis and Clark County at the extremes
The 3 Lewis and Clark County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Montana, and what each means for a borrower:
- Lewis and Clark County ranks 4th lowest of 56 Montana counties for the housing vacancy rate: 8%, against 13% statewide. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Lewis and Clark County sits near the top of Montana at 43%, 3rd highest of 56. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- On median household income, Lewis and Clark County sits near the top of Montana at $78,237, 5th highest of 56. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 32 to 71 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Lewis and Clark County's $78,237 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $59,265 (Granite County) to $95,490 (Jefferson County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark County | - | $78,237 | $1,102/mo | 70% |
| Powell County, MT | 32 mi | $66,923 | $820/mo | 73% |
| Teton County, MT | 48 mi | $70,430 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Cascade County, MT | 50 mi | $67,690 | $939/mo | 69% |
| Broadwater County, MT | 69 mi | $70,374 | $955/mo | 88% |
| Granite County, MT | 70 mi | $59,265 | $675/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, MT | 71 mi | $95,490 | $925/mo | 84% |
Towns and communities in Lewis and Clark County
18 Census places fall mainly inside Lewis and Clark County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 65,972 residents, leaving about 10% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $140,517 at the median in Helena Valley Northeast, $60,417 in East Helena. No Lewis and Clark County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 18.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | city | 33,639 | $71,036 | $1,092 | 40 mi |
| Helena Valley Southeast | CDP | 9,108 | $74,075 | $1,106 | 41 mi |
| Helena Valley West Central | CDP | 8,056 | $90,082 | $1,327 | 35 mi |
| Helena Valley Northwest | CDP | 5,183 | $100,605 | $1,603 | 31 mi |
| Helena Valley Northeast | CDP | 4,659 | $140,517 | n/a | 36 mi |
| East Helena | city | 1,702 | $60,417 | $1,090 | 43 mi |
| Helena West Side | CDP | 1,417 | $66,921 | n/a | 38 mi |
| Lincoln | CDP | 908 | $62,813 | $784 | 18 mi |
| Unionville | CDP | 412 | $84,750 | n/a | 42 mi |
| York | CDP | 182 | n/a | n/a | 41 mi |
| Craig | CDP | 172 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Augusta | CDP | 165 | $43,611 | $816 | 25 mi |
| Marysville | CDP | 160 | $99,167 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Rimini | CDP | 118 | n/a | n/a | 44 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Lewis and Clark County
How much room does a median Lewis and Clark County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $6,520 gross per month ($78,237 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,102 uses 17%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,245 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,701 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Age, degrees and coverage in Lewis and Clark County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 43% of Lewis and Clark County adults. Uninsured, Lewis and Clark County: 5.7%; Montana: 8.6%.
| Measure | Lewis and Clark County | Gap to Montana | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 43.0% | +7.9 pts | +20.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | -3.4 pts | -5.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | -2.9 pts | -2.2 pts |
| Work from home | 14.5% | +1.9 pts | +5.8 pts |
| Median age | 41.8 | +1.4 yrs | +0.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | +0.7 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | -0.4 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.2% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| Commute length | Lewis and Clark County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Lewis and Clark County
Where the Lewis and Clark County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Consolidating cards in Lewis and Clark County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Steps before you apply in Lewis and Clark County
A short checklist for Lewis and Clark County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Montana rules that apply in Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. If a Lewis and Clark County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Montana page has statewide figures to set beside Lewis and Clark County's.
More guides for Lewis and Clark County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is Lewis and Clark County a high-income county?
Its $78,237 median ranks 5th of 56 Montana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Lewis and Clark County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,102 against $1,081 statewide, and 40% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Can Lewis and Clark County owners borrow against a $393,500 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Does this page cover Helena?
Yes, along with the other 17 Census places in Lewis and Clark County, such as Helena Valley Southeast, Helena Valley West Central, Helena Valley Northwest.
Does living in Lewis and Clark County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Lewis and Clark County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.