Montana: elevation, cities and highest point
Montana has 1,144,694 people (2025) and 56 counties. Its highest point is Granite Peak, at 12,799 ft, and its lowest, the Kootenai River, at 1,800 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the All Map Tools Team
- Population (2025)
- 1,144,694
- The 43rd most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 145,550 sq mi
- The 4th largest state
- Counties
- 56
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 1,800 ft
- Kootenai River
Map of Montana’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Helena, sits at 4,048 ft (1,234 m): the 6th highest of the 50 state capitals. Montana’s highest point, Granite Peak, is 146 mi away in a straight line and 8,751 ft higher.
Between its highest point (12,799 ft) and its lowest (1,800 ft) there’s 10,999 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Montana’s is the 10th highest.
Montana has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Helena, at 4,048 ft, and the lowest is Billings, at 3,122 ft: 926 ft apart.
Montana borders 4 states. Their highest points are Gannett Peak, in Wyoming (13,804 ft), Borah Peak, in Idaho (12,662 ft), White Butte, in North Dakota (3,506 ft), and Black Elk Peak, in South Dakota (7,242 ft): Montana’s is the 2nd highest of the 5. Their capitals: Cheyenne (6,091 ft), Boise (2,700 ft), Bismarck (1,695 ft), and Pierre (1,479 ft).
- Granite Peak 12,799 ft
- Helena 4,048 ft
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000 people (1)
Population
Montana had 1,144,694 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 5.6% more than in April 2020 (1,084,221). Across 145,550 sq mi of land, that’s 7.9 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Billings, with 121,239 people. The Census counts 496 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Montana.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 121,239 | 46.3 sq mi | 3,122 ft |
| Missoula | 78,903 | 35.0 sq mi | — |
| Great Falls | 60,208 | 23.2 sq mi | — |
| Bozeman | 58,814 | 21.4 sq mi | — |
| Butte-Silver Bow (balance) | 35,469 | 716 sq mi | — |
| Helena | 35,138 | 17.2 sq mi | 4,048 ft |
| Kalispell | 31,851 | 13.1 sq mi | — |
| Belgrade | 13,107 | 5.98 sq mi | — |
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | 9,709 | 737 sq mi | — |
| Evergreen | 9,611 | 8.55 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Montana?
Granite Peak, at 12,799 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 10th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Montana?
The Kootenai River, at 1,800 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Helena, the capital?
4,048 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 6th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Montana?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Helena, at 4,048 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Montana have?
56, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know