Big Sky, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Sky, Montana had a total population of 2,445, the 44th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $138,805, which is 91% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 91% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Montana.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Montana.
- 59.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.2x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Big Sky Quick Facts
How Big Sky 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 | 2,388 | 2,445 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $103,625 | $138,805 | +33.9% |
| Median home value | $884,700 | $1,137,900 | +28.6% |
How Big Sky 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 Sky Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Gallatin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | 56,114 | $85,747 | 13.7% | $687,900 |
| Belgrade | 11,872 | $97,328 | 11.2% | $535,200 |
| Four Corners | 5,791 | $100,917 | 6.3% | $648,400 |
| Manhattan | 2,288 | $87,865 | 2.9% | $517,800 |
| King Arthur Park | 1,992 | $109,106 | 7.4% | N/A |
| Three Forks | 1,919 | $79,784 | 6.2% | $395,800 |
| West Yellowstone | 1,474 | $58,839 | 13.1% | $504,300 |
| Churchill | 1,167 | $108,281 | 6.3% | $690,600 |
| Ponderosa Pines | 950 | $73,681 | 18.0% | N/A |
| Gallatin Gateway | 933 | $82,500 | 9.8% | $814,400 |
Cities Similar to Big Sky
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana City | 3,092 | $129,755 | $571,200 | 44.1% | 1.8% |
| Manhattan | 2,288 | $87,865 | $517,800 | 34.2% | 2.9% |
| Lakeside | 2,386 | $77,435 | $720,100 | 35.8% | 10.9% |
| Clancy | 1,874 | $125,000 | $469,300 | 48.1% | 4.8% |
| King Arthur Park | 1,992 | $109,106 | N/A | 31.8% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Big Sky is a small community located in Montana, within Gallatin County. The total population is 2,445. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Sky is 38.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 13.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Sky is $138,805. This is 91% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 72% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $1,137,900. Housing costs are 203% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Big Sky has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
59.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Big Sky in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 68% higher 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 97.6%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Sky, 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 Sky, Montana?
Big Sky, Montana has a population of 2,445 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Sky, MT?
The median household income in Big Sky is $138,805, which is 72% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Sky, MT?
The poverty rate in Big Sky is 4.7%. This means approximately 116 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Sky, Montana?
Big Sky's population is 95.8% White, 0.1% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Sky, MT?
The median home value in Big Sky is $1,137,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.2x.
How educated is Big Sky, Montana?
59.1% of adults (25+) in Big Sky hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.