City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Sidney, MT

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

6,235
Residents
$62,992
Median income
$249,100
Median home
$1,312
Median rent (state)

Sidney - the verdict

Sidney ranks in the 40th percentile for household income and the 57th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
57th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Sidney, MT

Montana's Sidney is a small town, with 6,235 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Sidney brings in $62,992 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.4%. Sidney's housing stock carries a median value of $249,100, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. 18.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 69.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Sidney (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Sidney reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1160.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.2°F with 15.5 inches of precipitation per year and 30.4 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,312 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). Workers in Sidney report an average commute of 19.3 minutes, with 86.2% driving alone and 1.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 52.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

6,235 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$62,992 /yr

Poverty 9.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Sidney compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 57% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Montana, Sidney ranks #17 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Sidney'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.

40thIncome percentile
57thSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 57th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sidney's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sidney's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 49 Avg. percentile National median
Sidney's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sidney's home value compares nationally

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

$249,100 44th percentile more affordable than 44% 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. Sidney $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 - Sidney, MT Sidney, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sidney, 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 Sidney, MT median $62,992/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%
Sidney, 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 Sidney, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.3%

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

Population
6,235
Median Income
$62,992
Median Home Value
$249,100
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Labor force participation
69.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1160.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
464.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
696.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.2°F
Annual Precipitation
15.5"
Annual Snowfall
30.4"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,000 residents6,100 residents6,200 residents6,300 residents6,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,357 residents 6,217 residents ▼ -2.2%
Sidney's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.3 minutes
Drive Alone
86.2%
Carpool
5.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.7%
Work from Home
1.2%

Based on 3,361 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 Sidney sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,312/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Lewistown
6,028 people
Four Corners
5,562 people
Columbia Falls
5,531 people
Polson
5,334 people
Orchard Homes
5,280 people
Laurel
7,198 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sidney's 6,235 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Loudon, TN
6,235 people
Brookville, OH
6,234 people
Willows, CA
6,239 people
Fairfield Plantation, GA
6,231 people
Crystal City, TX
6,241 people
Princeton, KY
6,242 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sidney's $62,992 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Watertown, TN
$62,991 median income
Indianapolis city (balance), IN
$62,995 median income
Brookshire, TX
$62,987 median income
Green Valley, IL
$62,986 median income
Westfield, IL
$62,986 median income
Olivarez, TX
$62,985 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sidney, 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 Sidney, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.1% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 86.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 1.6% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Sidney 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
Sidney (this city) 6,235 $62,992
Lewistown 6,028 $44,195
Four Corners 5,562 $111,474
Columbia Falls 5,531 $65,313
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sidney, MT?

What is the population of Sidney, MT? +

The population of Sidney, MT stands at 6,235 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sidney, MT? +

Median annual household income in Sidney runs $62,992, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sidney? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sidney; 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.

Is Sidney, MT safe? +

Sidney has a total crime rate of 1160.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Sidney, MT? +

Sidney's median home value sits at $249,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sidney? +

Climate normals put Sidney's yearly average temperature at 45.2°F, 15.5 inches of precipitation, and 30.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.