Bigfork, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bigfork, Montana had a total population of 5,565, the 24th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $85,307, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 50.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.9x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Bigfork Quick Facts
How Bigfork 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 | 5,249 | 5,565 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $82,648 | $85,307 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $614,300 | $674,600 | +9.8% |
How Bigfork 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+)
Bigfork Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Flathead County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalispell | 28,504 | $63,415 | 10.0% | $428,000 |
| Evergreen | 9,611 | $76,446 | 12.1% | $340,800 |
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | 9.4% | $684,300 |
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | 15.2% | $384,400 |
| Lakeside | 2,386 | $77,435 | 10.9% | $720,100 |
| Somers | 1,280 | $56,917 | 8.0% | $465,400 |
| Marion | 1,037 | $65,250 | 5.9% | $431,500 |
| Helena Flats | 857 | $93,625 | 2.3% | $582,400 |
| Batavia | 690 | $46,995 | 20.1% | $369,400 |
| Hungry Horse | 679 | $53,056 | 11.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bigfork
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | $384,400 | 32.1% | 15.2% |
| Four Corners | 5,791 | $100,917 | $648,400 | 60.9% | 6.3% |
| Orchard Homes | 5,588 | $64,904 | $553,700 | 44.4% | 8.7% |
| Helena Valley Northwest | 5,183 | $100,605 | $404,200 | 35.7% | 2.6% |
| Glendive | 4,810 | $72,670 | $182,600 | 23.5% | 13.5% |
Population Overview
Bigfork is a small city located in Montana, within Flathead County. The total population is 5,565. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bigfork is 53.9 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 13.5% 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 Bigfork is $85,307. This is 18% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $674,600. Housing costs are 80% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bigfork is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 4.6%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
50.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bigfork in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 43% 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 97.5%. Notably, 18.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bigfork, 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.
Free data download: Get all Montana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bigfork, Montana?
Bigfork, Montana has a population of 5,565 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bigfork, MT?
The median household income in Bigfork is $85,307, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bigfork, MT?
The poverty rate in Bigfork is 5.7%. This means approximately 312 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bigfork, Montana?
Bigfork's population is 84.5% White, 0.2% Black, 8.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bigfork, MT?
The median home value in Bigfork is $674,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is Bigfork, Montana?
50.4% of adults (25+) in Bigfork hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.