Big Sandy, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Sandy, Montana had a total population of 784, the 120th largest town in Montana, with a median household income of $60,521, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.0% is notably above the national average.
Big Sandy Quick Facts
How Big Sandy Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 844 | 784 | -7.1% |
| Median household income | $58,083 | $60,521 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $129,600 | $187,500 | +44.7% |
How Big Sandy Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Sandy Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Chouteau County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Benton | 1,474 | $67,188 | 3.0% | $247,600 |
| Geraldine | 317 | $43,036 | 24.3% | $106,300 |
| Boneau | 277 | $43,056 | 21.7% | N/A |
| Highwood | 205 | $85,500 | 6.8% | $200,000 |
| Loma | 73 | $51,227 | 13.7% | $112,300 |
| Carter | 60 | N/A | 28.3% | $111,400 |
| Twin Hills Colony | 48 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Square Butte | 28 | $48,500 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Floweree | 18 | $123,125 | 5.6% | $416,700 |
Cities Similar to Big Sandy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Junction | 798 | $59,107 | $321,600 | 13.8% | 2.5% |
| Arlee | 812 | $57,500 | $261,400 | 32.2% | 13.3% |
| Black Eagle | 781 | $69,545 | $190,400 | 15.9% | 31.4% |
| Park City | 764 | $54,637 | $219,500 | 13.0% | 10.4% |
| Ennis | 777 | $69,650 | $402,500 | 19.4% | 9.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 784, Big Sandy's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Big Sandy is a small community located in Montana, within Chouteau County. The total population is 784. It ranks as the 120th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Sandy is 43.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Sandy is $60,521. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 11.0%. This is 203% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $187,500. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Sandy is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 0.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Sandy, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Sandy, Montana?
Big Sandy, Montana has a population of 784 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Sandy, MT?
The median household income in Big Sandy is $60,521, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Sandy, MT?
The poverty rate in Big Sandy is 8.6%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Sandy, Montana?
Big Sandy's population is 82.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Sandy, MT?
The median home value in Big Sandy is $187,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Big Sandy, Montana?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Big Sandy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.