[2] It is found in the central Great Plains of Canada and the United States where it is widespread and relatively common; the IUCN considers it to be of "least concern".

[1] Its natural habitat is grassland in arid and semi-arid upland areas, usually with sparse vegetation and sometimes with scattered trees such as the aspen or cottonwood (Populus sp.)

The major part of the diet is seeds of weed species which are collected in the cheek pouches, the excess being stored in chambers in the burrow.

The extensive caches of seeds in the burrow can help sustain the pocket mouse during the autumn, winter and early spring when it does not emerge above ground.

[3] The olive-backed pocket mouse is widely distributed across the central Great Plains region of Canada and the United States.