Census-designated place · Montana
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky, census-designated place, mostly in Gallatin County (85.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Madison County, Montana. Big Sky had 3,591 residents in the 2020 Census, a full count; the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,445 (±594). GEOID 3006325.
Residents, 2020 Census
3,591
Census count or controlled total
ACS 2020-2024 estimate: 2,445 ±594
Median household income
$138,805
±$22,893 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$1,137,900
±$254,170 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$877
±$689 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
Where is Big Sky and what county is it in?
Big Sky is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, mostly in Gallatin County (85.7% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Madison County, Montana. It covers 120.0 square miles of land, 30 residents per square mile in 2020.
Big Sky is in the Bozeman, MT metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | 3,078 | 85.7% |
| Madison County | 513 | 14.3% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Big Sky, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,591 residents in Big Sky, a full count rather than a sample. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a sample, estimates 2,445 (±594).
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Big Sky is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Big Sky | Gallatin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,445 ±594 | 124,074 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,087 ±280 | 51,215 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.13 ±0.22 | 2.33 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,178 ±297 | 57,568 | −478 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Big Sky?
The median resident of Big Sky is 38.4 years old; 13.7% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.8%.
| Measure | Big Sky | Gallatin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4 ±5.6 | 34.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 13.7% ±5.5 pts | 18.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7% ±8.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Male | 53.6% ±4.8 pts | 52.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% ±2.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.7% ±3.8 pts | 87.5% | +6.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±1.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±1.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.1% ±7.1 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.7% ±7.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 6.0% ±4.0 pts | 8.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6% ±4.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.6% ±2.7 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 59.1% ±9.2 pts | 54.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.7% ±9.9 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.8% ±6.7 pts | 82.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.0% ±3.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Big Sky earn?
Half of Big Sky's 1,087 households earn less than $138,805 a year (±$22,893), against $93,528 in Gallatin County and $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $93,023 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $45,782 after inflation. 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Big Sky | Gallatin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $138,805 ±$22,893 | $93,528 | +$45,782 |
| Mean household income | $194,482 ±$63,211 | $132,508 | – |
| Per capita income | $88,550 ±$30,947 | $54,482 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 4.7% ±2.8 pts | 9.5% | −10.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.0% ±8.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.0% ±2.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 100.0% ±2.7 pts | 98.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.2% ±4.7 pts | 93.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Big Sky?
Owners occupy 84.1% of Big Sky's occupied homes and renters 15.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,137,900 by its owner (±$254,170).
| Measure | Big Sky | Gallatin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,137,900 ±$254,170 | $667,600 | +$443,789 |
| Median gross rent | $877 ±$689 | $1,694 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 0.0% ±15.9 pts | 38.8% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,515 ±$597 | $2,299 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.1% ±8.9 pts | 61.1% | +23.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 15.9% ±8.9 pts | 38.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,178 ±297 | 57,568 | −478 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 21.4% ±21.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.6% ±7.4 pts | 57.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 17.1% ±6.0 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.0% ±2.7 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Big Sky work and get to work?
65.9% of Big Sky's workers drive alone and 26.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.8 minutes.
| Measure | Big Sky | Gallatin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.5% ±9.7 pts | 71.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4% ±2.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 65.9% ±10.2 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.7% ±2.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±3.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 6.1% ±5.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 26.1% ±9.8 pts | 15.5% | +15.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.8 min ±4.2 | 18.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Big Sky?
1 census tract lies mostly in Big Sky, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 16Gallatin County | 2,706 | $131,232 |
| Tract 1.02Madison County | 2,091 | $88,250 |
| Tract 1.01Madison County | 2,087 | $55,625 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Big Sky) · Census block assignment files
How does Big Sky compare with other places in Montana?
Big Sky ranks 2nd of 90 places in Montana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 44th | 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 91st | 93 |
| Median household income | 2nd | 90 |
| Per capita income | 1st | 93 |
| Median home value | 1st | 89 |
| Poverty rate | 65th | 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd | 90 |
| Median age | 55th | 93 |
| Owner-occupied share | 14th | 92 |
| Work from home | 2nd | 46 |
| Travel time to work | 43rd | 93 |
Big Sky's figures with every place in Montana (CSV)
Every place in Montana, sortable · Compare Big Sky with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Big Sky?
27 of the 57 figures for Big Sky on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Big Sky are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.