Hays CDP, Montana Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Hays CDP is a small community located in Montana. The total population is 967. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 470 cities and towns in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hays CDP is 34.2 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hays CDP is $57,875. This is 17% lower than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.6%. This is 146% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 26.0%. This is 593% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $61,100. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $338,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Hays CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hays CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 3.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 84.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 0.5%).

Education

14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hays CDP, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 470 Census-designated places in Montana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.