Bordering states
Montana vs North Dakota
Short answer
- MT
- 1,137,233
- ND
- 796,568
The two states, county by county
Both maps share one density scale, so the same shade means the same number of people per square mile on either side of the border. Darker counties are denser. Select a county to open its page.
Montana
North Dakota
- < 2
- < 3
- < 4
- < 8
- ≥ 8
Residents, 2024
- 01Montana1,137,233
- 02North Dakota796,568
Land, square miles
- 01Montana145,550
- 02North Dakota68,994
People per square mile
- 01Montana7.8
- 02North Dakota11.5
Median county household income
- 01Montana$59,534
- 02North Dakota$72,643
Side by side
| Measure | Montana | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Residents, 2024 | 1,137,233 | 796,568 |
| Rank by population | 43rd | 47th |
| Land, sq mi | 145,550 | 68,994 |
| People per sq mi | 7.8 | 11.5 |
| County-equivalents | 56 | 53 |
| Median county residents | 7,814 | 3,853 |
| Median county income | $59,534 | $72,643 |
| Most populous county | Yellowstone County | Cass County |
| Largest county by land | Beaverhead County | McKenzie County |
| Capital | Helena | Bismarck |
| Daylight at capital, June 21 | 15 h 50 min | 15 h 52 min |
| Census division | Mountain | West North Central |
Population and density
Montana has 1,137,233 residents, 43% more than North Dakota's 796,568. Montana ranks 43rd and North Dakota 47th of the 50 states and DC. North Dakota is the more crowded, with 11.5 people per square mile against 7.8, 48% more.
Land area
Montana has 145,550 square miles of land, 2.1 times North Dakota's 68,994. The largest county-equivalent in Montana is Beaverhead County at 5,543 square miles; in North Dakota it is McKenzie County at 2,760.
Counties
Montana is divided into 56 county-equivalents and North Dakota into 53, so an average Montana county covers 2,599 square miles against 1,302. The typical county in Montana has 7,814 residents, against 3,853 in North Dakota. The most populous are Yellowstone County (171,583) and Cass County (200,945).
3 county names appear on both sides of the border: Golden Valley, Richland, Sheridan. Use the FIPS code, not the name, when joining data across the two states.
Household income
The median county in North Dakota has a household income of $72,643, 22% above Montana's $59,534. The highest county incomes are Gallatin County ($90,942) in Montana and McKenzie County ($99,157) in North Dakota, from SAIPE 2023.
Capitals and daylight
Helena and Bismarck are 532 miles apart in a straight line; from Helena the initial bearing is 84°, E. On June 21, 2026, Helena gets 15 h 50 min of daylight and Bismarck 15 h 52 min; on December 21 the figures are 8 h 34 min and 8 h 32 min. Month by month tables are on the Helena and Bismarck daylight pages.
Where they sit
The border between them is also a Census region boundary: Montana is in the West and North Dakota in the Midwest. By county internal points, Montana spans 3 UTM zones and North Dakota 2.
Questions people ask
Which is bigger, Montana or North Dakota?
Montana, with 145,550 square miles of land against 68,994, 2.11 times as large.
Which has more people, Montana or North Dakota?
Montana has 1,137,233 residents, 43% more than North Dakota's 796,568.
How far is Helena from Bismarck?
532 miles in a straight line, heading E (84°) from Helena.
Do Montana and North Dakota have counties with the same name?
Yes, 3: Golden Valley, Richland, Sheridan.
Sources and data as of
Data as of: Census Vintage 2024 population estimates, 2024 Gazetteer land area and internal points, SAIPE 2023 median household income.
- 01Census Vintage 2024 county population estimates
- 02Census 2024 Gazetteer, counties
- 03Census SAIPE 2023 state and county estimates
- 04Census Bureau regions and divisions of the United States (last verified 2026-09-30)
How every number is computed: methodology. Spotted a wrong figure? Report an error.