New data released on Lake County population and poverty levels

Updated county-level data recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlights significant demographic and economic changes in Lake County. Despite a robust population growth rate and improved unemployment figures, Lake County faces notable poverty challenges, particularly among its youngest residents.

 Lake County's population has steadily grown over the past several decades, reaching 33,338 residents as of 2023. This marks a 7.1 percent increase since 2020.

 The population has surged from 21,041 in 1990, reflecting a sustained trend that underscores the area's desirability.

However, amid this growth, Lake County's economic picture reveals complexities. According to the USDA report, the county's poverty rate stands at 13.9 percent, noticeably higher than Montana’s statewide average of 11.8 percent.

Even more concerning is the poverty rate among Lake County residents under 18 years old, which reaches 18 percent, significantly exceeding Montana's 12.8 percent average. These statistics highlight ongoing socioeconomic struggles within the community, particularly impacting young families and children.

Yet, there are positive signs within Lake County’s economic indicators. The county's unemployment rate has significantly improved following the sharp spike experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. After reaching a peak of 6.1 percent in 2020, unemployment fell steadily, hitting 3.1 percent in 2022 before a slight increase to 3.6 percent in 2023. This current rate remains relatively low.

Average household median income in Lake County stands at $57,225, which is approximately 84.3 percent of Montana's statewide median income. While this highlights some economic disparity compared to the rest of the state, it still points to relatively stable earning potential for many households within the county.

Education data provided by the USDA offers additional insights into Lake County’s development trajectory. The percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher has continuously increased, reaching 30.5 percent as of the latest period (2019-2023). Although still slightly below Montana's state average of 34.5 percent, this upward trend from only 8.9 percent in 1970 emphasizes significant advancements in educational attainment.