Sleeping Buffalo, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sleeping Buffalo, Montana had a total population of 9, the 460th largest community in Montana. The poverty rate is 44.4%.
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 (44.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Sleeping Buffalo Quick Facts
How Sleeping Buffalo 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 | 10 | 9 | -10.0% |
How Sleeping Buffalo 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+)
Sleeping Buffalo Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Phillips County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | 2,100 | $54,483 | 9.9% | $160,800 |
| Dodson | 153 | $40,804 | 8.5% | $45,200 |
| Saco | 140 | $48,500 | 27.1% | $75,000 |
| Whitewater | 105 | $34,583 | 25.7% | N/A |
| Zortman | 52 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Loring Colony | 31 | N/A | 33.3% | N/A |
| Landusky | 21 | N/A | 0.0% | $56,700 |
Cities Similar to Sleeping Buffalo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | 9 | $107,500 | N/A | 25.0% | 0.0% |
| Boyd | 9 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lindsay | 9 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Sula | 9 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Ayers Ranch Colony | 8 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 9, Sleeping Buffalo'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
Sleeping Buffalo is a small community located in Montana, within Phillips County. The total population is 9. It ranks as the 460th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sleeping Buffalo is 70.4 years. This is 74% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 44.4%. This is 286% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Sleeping Buffalo, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Sleeping Buffalo was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sleeping Buffalo, 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 Sleeping Buffalo, Montana?
Sleeping Buffalo, Montana has a population of 9 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sleeping Buffalo, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Sleeping Buffalo — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sleeping Buffalo, MT?
The poverty rate in Sleeping Buffalo is 44.4%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sleeping Buffalo, Montana?
Sleeping Buffalo's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sleeping Buffalo, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Sleeping Buffalo — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Sleeping Buffalo, Montana?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Sleeping Buffalo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.