Muddy, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Muddy, Montana had a total population of 724, the 129th largest community in Montana. The poverty rate is 52.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (52.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 19.3% is notably above the national average.
Muddy Quick Facts
How Muddy 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 | 641 | 724 | +12.9% |
| Median home value | $120,200 | $163,800 | +36.3% |
How Muddy 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+)
Muddy Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Big Horn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin | 3,742 | $60,423 | 7.2% | $147,100 |
| Crow Agency | 2,192 | $52,339 | 39.2% | $58,800 |
| Busby | 569 | $46,071 | 28.4% | $133,600 |
| Pryor | 497 | $47,083 | 36.4% | $90,700 |
| Wyola | 481 | $63,032 | 14.2% | $65,200 |
| Lodge Grass | 429 | $49,375 | 39.9% | $62,200 |
| Fort Smith | 78 | $51,190 | 0.0% | $119,600 |
| St. Xavier | 55 | N/A | 38.2% | $202,900 |
Cities Similar to Muddy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkerville | 733 | $48,750 | $148,700 | 24.6% | 18.2% |
| Spokane Creek | 740 | $127,250 | $812,500 | 79.3% | 0.0% |
| Chester | 749 | $53,750 | $172,900 | 29.8% | 13.8% |
| Philipsburg | 754 | $29,773 | $307,600 | 39.9% | 16.4% |
| Trego | 692 | $108,750 | $328,800 | 30.0% | 3.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 724, Muddy'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
Muddy is a small community located in Montana, within Big Horn County. The total population is 724. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Muddy is 18.4 years. This is 54% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 48.6% of the population under 18, Muddy has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 52.3%. This is 354% 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 19.3%. This is 433% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $163,800. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $375,800. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Muddy is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 83.6%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Muddy, 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 Muddy, Montana?
Muddy, Montana has a population of 724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Muddy, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Muddy — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Muddy, MT?
The poverty rate in Muddy is 52.3%. This means approximately 339 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Muddy, Montana?
Muddy's population is 6.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Muddy, MT?
The median home value in Muddy is $163,800.
How educated is Muddy, Montana?
6.2% of adults (25+) in Muddy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.