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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Sanders County

Montana · 12,400 residents · 2,760.4 sq mi
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The short version

Sanders County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,284. Population has grown 21% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $251,600. With a median age of 55.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 25% less than the Montana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 55.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,400
+21%since 2000
from 10,227 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
55.2
+25%since 2000
from 44.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K10K11K12K14K1990201020202024Sanders County
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,284
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,852 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,103
+79%since 2000
from $14,593 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.1%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing5.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$251,600
+86%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$634
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $390 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.4% in 2000
21.6% rent
Afford Score
6.0
+78%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sanders County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(9,299)
Black0.1%(13)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(159)
Asian0.3%(31)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.2%(537)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.5%(10,732)
Black0.2%(23)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(346)
Asian0.5%(56)
Other6.2%(768)
Diversity Score23.1%(2,868)
Segregation Score33.1%(4,109)
Diversity Score
23
+341%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
33
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.0%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+21%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
61.0%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
43.8%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 53.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.3%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.7%
−66.1 ptssince 2013
from 75.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sanders County

Shoshone County
Pop 14,130
Clay County
Pop 14,207
Lawrence County
Pop 13,790
Towns County
Pop 13,285
Places similar to Sanders County
Head to head

Compare Sanders County to nearby counties

SANDERS COUNTY VS
Shoshone County
Income$55,527+31%
Home value$267,400+6%
Population14,130same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANDERS COUNTY VS
Mineral County
Income$63,450+50%
Home value$364,300+45%
Population5,185−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANDERS COUNTY VS
Lake County
Income$63,360+50%
Home value$421,800+68%
Population33,392+137%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANDERS COUNTY VS
Lincoln County
Income$47,143+11%
Home value$296,500+18%
Population22,328+59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sanders County, Montana?

Sanders County, Montana has about 12,400 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sanders County, Montana?

The typical household in Sanders County, Montana earns about $42,284 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sanders County, Montana expensive?

In Sanders County, Montana, the median home is worth about $251,600, and the typical rent is about $634 a month.

How educated are people in Sanders County, Montana?

About 19.0% of adults age 25 and over in Sanders County, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sanders County, Montana?

About 16.6% of people in Sanders County, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sanders County, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Sanders County, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,731 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 2.02Census Tract 1Census Tract 2.01Census Tract 9403
9 ZIP codes
ZIP 59859ZIP 59873ZIP 59874ZIP 59845ZIP 59853ZIP 59844ZIP 59831ZIP 59856ZIP 59848
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →