1st Advantage MortgageRavalli County households have a median income of $71,283 and median rent of $1,054 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Montana before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Ravalli County
- Jobs and commutes in Ravalli County
- How much Ravalli County households make
- Ravalli County housing compared with Montana
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ravalli County
- Regional comparison for Ravalli County
- A Ravalli County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Ravalli County
- More Ravalli County figures
- Montana rules that apply in Ravalli County
- Four steps for Ravalli County borrowers
- More guides for Ravalli County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Ravalli County
With an estimated 46,727 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ravalli County ranks 7th of 56 in Montana for population. Land area is 2,391 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 20 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Ravalli County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (4 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Hamilton, with about 5,101 residents, or 11% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Ravalli County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 12% locally and 9% for Montana. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.2% in Ravalli County. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 14% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.1% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Ravalli County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | +0.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
How much Ravalli County households make
At $71,283, the typical Ravalli County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Ravalli County | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | -1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.0% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -2.4 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.8% of Ravalli County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. For a borrower in Ravalli County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Ravalli County housing compared with Montana
A typical Ravalli County rental runs $1,054 a month including utilities, which is 2% below Montana. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. Home values center on $476,600, or 6.7 years of median income. 79% of Ravalli County households own their home and 21% rent. Median construction year: 1991.
| Ravalli County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,054/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $476,600 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.6% | 9.4% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ravalli County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 26% of Ravalli County residents live in one of the 10. Incomes vary by place: $102,222 at the median in Florence, $43,627 in Darby. Rent is cheapest in Florence ($631) and steepest in Pinesdale ($1,595). None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | city | 5,101 | $49,204 | $947 | 12 mi |
| Stevensville | town | 2,130 | $60,096 | $1,064 | 30 mi |
| Corvallis | CDP | 1,227 | $78,103 | $1,363 | 16 mi |
| Florence | CDP | 923 | $102,222 | $631 | 38 mi |
| Victor | CDP | 867 | $48,750 | $940 | 23 mi |
| Pinesdale | town | 833 | $66,875 | $1,595 | 19 mi |
| Darby | town | 527 | $43,627 | $889 | 5 mi |
| Charlos Heights | CDP | 163 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Conner | CDP | 147 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Sula | CDP | 9 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
Regional comparison for Ravalli County
Distances run center to center, from Granite County at 39 miles out to Powell County at 77. Missoula County leads the group on income ($75,598), Deer Lodge County trails ($57,527), and Ravalli County out-earns 5 of the six. The list crosses into Idaho, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravalli County | - | $71,283 | $1,054/mo | 79% |
| Granite County, MT | 39 mi | $59,265 | $675/mo | 78% |
| Deer Lodge County, MT | 46 mi | $57,527 | $696/mo | 73% |
| Missoula County, MT | 66 mi | $75,598 | $1,190/mo | 59% |
| Idaho County, ID | 67 mi | $66,325 | $789/mo | 81% |
| Silver Bow County, MT | 71 mi | $61,754 | $863/mo | 71% |
| Powell County, MT | 77 mi | $66,923 | $820/mo | 73% |
A Ravalli County household budget, worked through
Here is the Ravalli County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $71,283 a year is $5,940 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,054 uses 18%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,084 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Ravalli County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for Ravalli County
A few patterns in the Ravalli County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 10% of Ravalli County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Fixed incomes. Ravalli County's median age is 48.7. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
More Ravalli County figures
College graduates make up 29% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Ravalli County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.7 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.7% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.5% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.2% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Ravalli County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Montana rules that apply in Ravalli County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Ravalli County borrowers answers to the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Montana guide.
Four steps for Ravalli County borrowers
A short checklist for Ravalli 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.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Ravalli County
For statewide rules and data, see the Montana guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Ravalli County?
$71,283 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,509 for Montana. It ranks 16th of 56 in the state.
How does Ravalli County rent compare with Montana?
$1,054 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 2% below.
Should Ravalli County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Ravalli County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Ravalli County?
By population: Hamilton, Stevensville, Corvallis, Florence, Victor. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Ravalli County or elsewhere in Montana, the same rules apply.