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Plentywood, Montana Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.4x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plentywood, Montana had a total population of 1,654, the 66th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $68,438, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Plentywood Quick Facts

Population 1,654
Median Household Income $68,438
Median Home Value $161,000
Poverty Rate 14.7%
Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Median Age 49.2 years
Homeownership Rate 66.9%
Affordability Ratio 2.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.2%
High School Graduation Rate 85.1%
Diversity Index 24/100
Population 1,654 66th of 475
Median Income $68,438 average
Poverty Rate 14.7% 18% higher than national
Median Home Value $161,000 bottom 30%

How Plentywood Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,6771,654-1.4%
Median household income$62,163$68,438+10.1%
Median home value$148,800$161,000+8.2%

How Plentywood Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 22.8%
$25K-$50K 16.8%
$50K-$100K 32.1%
$100K+ 28.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.7%
$10K-$15K
2.0%
$15K-$20K
8.1%
$20K-$25K
7.0%
$25K-$30K
1.4%
$30K-$35K
7.5%
$35K-$40K
2.2%
$40K-$45K
4.5%
$45K-$50K
1.1%
$50K-$60K
5.0%
$60K-$75K
9.1%
$75K-$100K
18.0%
$100K-$125K
11.0%
$125K-$150K
5.6%
$150K-$200K
5.7%
$200K+
6.0%

Employment

3.3% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
62.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.9%
Renter 33.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.4x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $760/mo 13.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

24out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 29 | National average: 61

Education

Plentywood Rankings in Montana

#66 Population of 475
#140 Median Income of 341
#220 Education of 473
#253 Home Value of 320

Other Cities in Sheridan County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Westby 290 $32,500 8.3% $65,800
Medicine Lake 213 $48,125 13.4% $106,800
Outlook 51 $58,125 9.8% $125,000
Homestead 27 $162,500 0.0% $187,500
Reserve 19 $53,750 31.6% $100,000
Redstone 4 N/A 0.0% N/A

Cities Similar to Plentywood

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Big Timber1,611$66,898$278,20016.2%10.4%
South Browning1,538N/A$73,0009.3%42.2%
East Helena1,702$60,417$290,70023.6%16.5%
Bonner-West Riverside1,563$62,039$210,90023.6%14.5%
Fort Benton1,474$67,188$247,60030.2%3.0%

Population Overview

Plentywood is a small community located in Montana, within Sheridan County. The total population is 1,654. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Plentywood is 49.2 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.3% 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 Plentywood is $68,438. This is 6% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $161,000. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $375,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Plentywood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 69.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Plentywood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.2% vs 0.8%).

Education

23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 85.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Plentywood, 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 Plentywood, Montana?

Plentywood, Montana has a population of 1,654 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Plentywood, MT?

The median household income in Plentywood is $68,438, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Plentywood, MT?

The poverty rate in Plentywood is 14.7%. This means approximately 232 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Plentywood, Montana?

Plentywood's population is 87.0% White, 0.0% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Plentywood, MT?

The median home value in Plentywood is $161,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.

How educated is Plentywood, Montana?

23.2% of adults (25+) in Plentywood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.