General Child Population

As of 2023, there are a total recorded number of 235,651 children (minors under the age of 18) living in Montana.  

Broken up by age groups, 0-4 make up 24% (57,574), ages 5-11 make up 40% (93,133), ages 12-14 make up 18% (41,352) and ages 15-17 make up 18% (43,592).

By race, white/Caucasian children make up 77% of the total child population, Native children make up 9% (20,477) Hispanic/Latino children make up 8% (18,182).

Family Income

As of 2022, there were a total of 22,000 children in Montana living in a low-income family, accounting for 19% of the total child population.

As of 2022, 8,000 children belonged to low-income families with no working adults (3% of total child population).

Teens/Young Adults

As of 2023, 4,000 teens (ages 16-19) were not in school or working (7% of population by age group).

“Teenagers who are not in school or working run a higher risk of experiencing negative outcomes in adulthood, such as low incomes, employment challenges and poor physical and mental health. Limited skills and work history — combined with few financial resources to invest in developing the necessary skills or qualifications — can restrict access to good jobs as well as higher wages in the future.”

From 2018-2022, the number of employed youths ages 16-24 in Montana was 78,894 (61% of population by age group).

The number of young adults ages 18-24 in poverty in 2023 was 23,000 (25% of population by age group)

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Source: The Annie E. Casey Foundation (Kids Count Data Center)