Just over 50,000 people live here
We’re Not All That Crowded
The Bitterroot Valley is about 90 miles long and a dozen miles wide, but has fewer residents than most small cities.
This makes for low density living, which is one of the main attractions of the Bitterroot Valley.
The population is divided among several small communities, agricultural lands, remote cabins, and homes with acreage outside of the developed towns of the Bitterroot Valley.
It’s a relatively small population spread across a relatively large area.
It’s growing, but it still feels like there’s plenty of room for everyone.
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We Counted Everyone by Zip Code
Most of the Bitterroot Valley lies in Ravalli County, but the north end of the Valley is in Missoula County.
Many people cite the population of Ravalli County as the total population of the Bitterroot Valley.
But that excludes some of Florence and all of Lolo’s population, both of which are located in the Bitterroot Valley, so that number is a little misleading.
As well, much of the Bitterroot Valley’s population lives outside of its incorporated cities, so we didn’t want to just cite the combined population of the cities and towns.
We needed a way to count everyone.
The US Census Bureau provides population estimates based on Zip Codes in their ACS data.
This seems to be a pretty good fit for determining the total population of the Bitterroot Valley as each community has its own Zip Code that covers the town and its surrounding area.
We’re not Census experts around here, but this seems to be a straightforward way to represent the total population of the Valley, so we’ve used the most recent 2021 ACS data for this article.
from our post – best riverfront rentals
RIVERHOUSE ON THE EAST FORK
You won’t find a more riverfront Montana vacation rental than this well-equipped home on the east fork of the Bitterroot River.
Located in the middle of unlimited outdoor recreation, the home accommodates up to 8 guests in 3 bedrooms.
Total Population Estimate is 50,931
We added up the population totals from the 10 Zip Codes in the Bitterroot Valley and we came up with a total population estimate of 50,931.
Here’s the population breakdown by Zip Code and Community from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey for the year 2021.
ZIP CODE | COMMUNITY | POPULATION |
59827 | Conner | 256 |
59828 | Corvallis | 5,691 |
59829 | Darby | 2,335 |
59833 | Florence | 5,480 |
59840 | Hamilton | 14,292 |
59841 | Pinesdale | 914 |
59847 | Lolo | 6,287 |
59870 | Stevensville | 11,377 |
59871 | Sula | 375 |
59875 | Victor | 3,924 |
TOTAL POPULATION | 50,931 |
FLY FISHING GEAR
When heading to the Bitterroot River to do some fly fishing, you’ll want to have the right equipment.
If you need a little help with what gear you’ll need for your Montana fly fishing trip, this article is for you.
That’s a Good Question
An estimated 50,931 people live in the Bitterroot Valley according to the 2021 American Community Survey.
Hamilton, MT has the largest population in the Bitterroot Valley with an estimated 14,292 residents living in the 59840 Zip Code.
Additional Resources
You can generate your own population and Census reports here.
Related Content
CABIN RENTALS
It’s hard to think about Montana without thinking about staying in a cabin. They seem to go hand in hand.
Here’s our collection of some of the best Montana cabin rentals in the Bitterroot Valley.