Big Timber, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Timber, Montana had a total population of 1,611, the 68th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $66,898, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Big Timber Quick Facts
How Big Timber 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 | 1,530 | 1,611 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $63,514 | $66,898 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $235,100 | $278,200 | +18.3% |
How Big Timber 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 Timber Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Sweet Grass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greycliff | 158 | $70,417 | 4.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Big Timber
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plentywood | 1,654 | $68,438 | $161,000 | 23.2% | 14.7% |
| South Browning | 1,538 | N/A | $73,000 | 9.3% | 42.2% |
| Bonner-West Riverside | 1,563 | $62,039 | $210,900 | 23.6% | 14.5% |
| Fort Benton | 1,474 | $67,188 | $247,600 | 30.2% | 3.0% |
| East Helena | 1,702 | $60,417 | $290,700 | 23.6% | 16.5% |
Population Overview
Big Timber is a small community located in Montana, within Sweet Grass County. The total population is 1,611. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Timber is 43.6 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 14.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Timber is $66,898. This is 8% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $278,200. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Big Timber has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.3% vs 0.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Timber, 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 Timber, Montana?
Big Timber, Montana has a population of 1,611 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Timber, MT?
The median household income in Big Timber is $66,898, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Timber, MT?
The poverty rate in Big Timber is 10.4%. This means approximately 165 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Timber, Montana?
Big Timber's population is 89.5% White, 2.3% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Timber, MT?
The median home value in Big Timber is $278,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Big Timber, Montana?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Big Timber hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.