City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Big Timber, MT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Big Timber - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,530
Residents
$63,514
Median income
$235,100
Median home
$1,176
Median rent (state)

Big Timber - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Big Timber places in the 41st percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

41st
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Big Timber, MT

Big Timber is a small town in Montana, home to 1,530 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $63,514 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. Home values in Big Timber run a median of $235,100, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. About 15.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier. NOAA puts Big Timber's yearly average temperature at 47.0°F with 16.9 inches of precipitation per year and 54.6 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Montana scores 94.6 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,176 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 8.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,530 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$63,514 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Big Timber compare to other US cities?

Big Timber measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Big Timber's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Montana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

41stIncome percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Big Timber's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$235,100 48th percentile more affordable than 48% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Big Timber $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Big Timber, MT Big Timber, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big Timber, MT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Big Timber, MT median $63,514/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Big Timber, MT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Big Timber, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,530
Median Income
$63,514
Median Home Value
$235,100
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
16.9"
Annual Snowfall
54.6"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,600 residents1,650 residents1,700 residents1,750 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,642 residents 1,686 residents ▲ +2.7%
Big Timber's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 1
2021 1
2022 3
2023 0
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.5%
Carpool
6.8%
Public Transit
5.6%
Walk
3.7%
Work from Home
10.5%

Based on 679 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Montana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$175
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Montana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Montana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Big Timber sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,176/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
8.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Baker
1,535 people
Sun Prairie
1,514 people
Thompson Falls
1,568 people
Helena West Side
1,584 people
Fort Benton
1,470 people
Chinook
1,460 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Timber's 1,530 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Morrisville, NY
1,530 people
Southport, CT
1,529 people
Port Sulphur, LA
1,529 people
Minneota, MN
1,531 people
Cascade Locks, OR
1,529 people
New Hope, OR
1,529 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Timber's $63,514 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Holcomb, MS
$63,514 median income
Pratt, KS
$63,512 median income
Olyphant, PA
$63,516 median income
Pine Island, TX
$63,523 median income
Harvel, IL
$63,500 median income
Pearl City, IL
$63,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big Timber, MT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Big Timber, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.6% White 88.5% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 3.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Big Timber compares to nearby Montana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Big Timber (this city) 1,530 $63,514
Baker 1,535 $78,971
Sun Prairie 1,514 $61,004
Thompson Falls 1,568 $53,203
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big Timber, MT?

What is the population of Big Timber, MT? +

Big Timber, MT has a population of 1,530 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Big Timber, MT? +

The median household income in Big Timber is $63,514 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big Timber? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Big Timber; the closest available measure is the Montana state average, a cost of living index of 94.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Montana vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Big Timber, MT? +

Homes in Big Timber carry a median value of $235,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Big Timber? +

The average annual temperature in Big Timber runs 47.0°F, 16.9 inches of precipitation, and 54.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.