Darby, Montana Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 527, Darby'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

Darby is a small community located in Montana, within Ravalli County. The total population is 527. It ranks as the 152nd most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Darby is 57.2 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 6.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.2% 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 Darby is $43,627. This is 40% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $327,100. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 69.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Darby has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.

Education

15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 89.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Darby, 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.