Montana’s population is predominantly White and non-Hispanic, while American Indian and Alaska Native people make up a larger share of the population than in the United States overall. Hispanic or Latino residents, people identifying with two or more races, and smaller Asian, Black, and other communities also contribute to the state’s ethnic and racial diversity; exact percentages depend on the census measure and year used.
What the census figures measure
“Ethnic composition” can refer to race, Hispanic or Latino origin, ancestry, tribal citizenship, or a combination of these. The U.S. Census Bureau treats race and Hispanic origin as separate questions: a person of Hispanic or Latino origin may identify with any race. Consequently, a table about race alone does not describe ethnicity in exactly the same way as a table that separates Hispanic origin.
Recent Census Bureau estimates and the 2020 Census consistently show that roughly four-fifths of Montana residents identify as White alone and not Hispanic or Latino. American Indian and Alaska Native residents account for about 6 percent when counted as a single race, and the share is higher when people reporting more than one race are included. Hispanic or Latino residents make up roughly 4 percent. Smaller shares identify as Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, another race, or two or more races. These are rounded descriptions, not a single exact snapshot: estimates change annually, and census tables use different categories and methods.
Montana’s largest population groups
White, non-Hispanic residents are the largest group by a wide margin. That statewide majority can obscure meaningful variation among counties, towns, and age groups, as well as the distinct histories and identities within the category.
American Indian and Alaska Native communities are a defining part of Montana’s population and history. The state is home to seven federally recognized tribal nations and parts of two other tribal nations whose homelands extend across state lines. Montana’s reservations include Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Northern Cheyenne, and Rocky Boy’s. Tribal identity is not interchangeable with a broad census race category: people may identify with a particular nation, more than one race, or both, and census responses do not measure tribal citizenship.
Hispanic or Latino residents include people with roots in many places, including Mexico and other parts of Latin America, as well as people born in Montana. Asian, Black, and Pacific Islander residents are smaller shares statewide, but their experiences and visibility differ across communities. The census’s broad labels bring together people with diverse national origins, languages, and histories.
Why figures differ between sources
A useful comparison begins by checking what a statistic counts. Census Bureau “QuickFacts,” decennial census tables, and population estimates may show different years or measures. Some figures report people identifying as one race alone; others include everyone who selected that race, whether alone or in combination with another race.
- Race alone: A respondent selects one race category, such as American Indian and Alaska Native alone.
- Race alone or in combination: The count also includes respondents who selected that race along with one or more other races.
- Hispanic or Latino origin: This is counted separately from race, so it overlaps with racial categories rather than forming a mutually exclusive race group.
- Survey estimates: Annual estimates can differ from a full decennial count because they are produced for a different date and use statistical methods.
For that reason, avoid adding every published percentage together unless the table explicitly presents mutually exclusive categories. In particular, adding the Hispanic-origin percentage to all race percentages can double-count people.
Historical and geographic context
Montana’s present-day population reflects Indigenous presence that long predates the state, migration and settlement during the nineteenth century, and later movement for work, education, family, and recreation. Mining, ranching, railroads, agriculture, and the growth of towns brought people from different parts of the United States and from other countries. Those broad historical forces shaped communities, but they should not be mistaken for a complete account of any group’s history.
Population patterns are not uniform. American Indian residents have a particularly strong presence in and around tribal nations and reservations, while larger cities and university communities can include a wider range of backgrounds. Rural and urban areas both contain diversity, but small population totals can make percentages fluctuate more noticeably from one place or year to another.
How to read local and ancestry data
Race and Hispanic-origin figures do not capture every aspect of identity. Census ancestry responses, language data, and tribal information can add context, but each measures something different. “Ancestry” is often self-reported and may include multiple family origins; it is not the same as race, nationality, or citizenship.
When comparing a county or city with the state, check the geography and date as well as the category definitions. A percentage for a reservation, county, or metropolitan area cannot be substituted for Montana’s statewide share. Likewise, a person’s self-identification may not fit neatly into a single administrative category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest ethnic group in Montana?
White residents who are not Hispanic or Latino are the largest group, representing roughly four-fifths of the state’s population in recent Census Bureau data.
What percentage of Montana is Native American?
About 6 percent identify as American Indian or Alaska Native alone in commonly cited recent figures. The percentage is higher when people who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native together with another race are included.
Are Hispanic people counted as a race in the census?
No. The Census Bureau asks about Hispanic or Latino origin separately from race. A Hispanic or Latino person may identify as White, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, another race, or more than one race.
How many federally recognized tribes are in Montana?
Montana is home to seven federally recognized tribal nations, and parts of two additional nations’ homelands extend into the state. Reservation boundaries and tribal homelands are not interchangeable with state or county boundaries.
Why do Montana race percentages vary by website?
Sources may use different years, estimates, or definitions such as “race alone” versus “race alone or in combination.” Hispanic origin also overlaps with race categories, so figures should be compared using the original table’s definitions.
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