Hays, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hays, Montana had a total population of 1,009, the 92nd largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $52,250, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.1% is notably above the national average.
Hays Quick Facts
How Hays 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 | 967 | 1,009 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $57,875 | $52,250 | -9.7% |
| Median home value | $61,100 | $59,200 | -3.1% |
How Hays 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+)
Hays Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Blaine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook | 1,353 | $61,750 | 8.4% | $214,700 |
| Fort Belknap Agency | 1,227 | $46,071 | 29.4% | $72,700 |
| Harlem | 822 | $82,596 | 11.7% | $100,800 |
| Lodge Pole | 170 | N/A | 32.9% | N/A |
| Turner Colony | 157 | $133,125 | 40.1% | N/A |
| Turner | 69 | $55,179 | 0.0% | $97,500 |
| North Harlem Colony | 67 | $127,000 | 22.4% | N/A |
| Zurich | 38 | $81,250 | 2.6% | $131,300 |
| Hartland Colony | 29 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Hogeland | 5 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Hays
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaughn | 1,002 | $56,250 | $175,300 | 16.4% | 8.7% |
| St. Ignatius | 977 | $50,000 | $250,000 | 25.0% | 21.8% |
| Harlowton | 1,058 | $55,600 | $180,500 | 19.6% | 18.6% |
| Rocky Boy West | 1,007 | $63,125 | $103,600 | 14.9% | 36.1% |
| Ashland | 959 | $45,607 | $85,000 | 26.9% | 29.7% |
Population Overview
Hays is a small community located in Montana, within Blaine County. The total population is 1,009. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hays is 37.3 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hays is $52,250. This is 28% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. 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 21.1%. This is 484% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $59,200. Housing costs are 84% lower than the state median of $375,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Hays is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hays is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 83.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (1.9% vs 0.4%).
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hays, 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 Hays, Montana?
Hays, Montana has a population of 1,009 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hays, MT?
The median household income in Hays is $52,250, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hays, MT?
The poverty rate in Hays is 23.7%. This means approximately 239 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hays, Montana?
Hays's population is 2.6% White, 1.9% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hays, MT?
The median home value in Hays is $59,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Hays, Montana?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Hays hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.