County · Montana
Sanders County, Montana
Sanders County, Montana. Sanders County had 14,062 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 13.4% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 14 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 30089.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,062
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,400 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,285
Median household income
$57,476
±$6,047 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$359,000
±$20,498 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$820
±$54 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Sanders County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,400 residents in Sanders County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,062 for July 1, 2025, up 13.4% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,285 over 2,760 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sanders County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,285 | 1,116,875 | +1,604 |
| Households | 5,451±203 | 458,859 | +415 |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.09 | 2.37 | +0.13 |
| Housing units | 6,808±36 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Sanders County's population since 2000
From 10,227 in 2000 to 14,062 in 2025: up 37.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Sanders County?
Sanders County holds 14 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 census-designated places. The largest is Thompson Falls with 1,543 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Thompson Falls | 1,336 | $46,313 |
|---|---|---|
| Plains | 1,106 | $25,491 |
| Hot Springs | 557 | $21,300 |
| Trout CreekGEOID 3074950 | 277 | $64,853 |
| NoxonGEOID 3054925 | 255 | $60,167 |
| Dixon | 221 | $48,333 |
| LonepineGEOID 3044950 | 177 | $31,667 |
| HeronGEOID 3035875 | 173 | $29,207 |
| ParadiseGEOID 3056425 | 166 | not published |
| BelknapGEOID 3005050 | 161 | not published |
| WeeksvilleGEOID 3078775 | 81 | $64,333 |
| Old AgencyGEOID 3055260 | 81 | $45,750 |
| CamasGEOID 3011800 | 57 | $23,750 |
| NiaradaGEOID 3053725 | 28 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sanders County?
The median resident of Sanders County is 54.6 years old; 17.0% are under 18 and 33.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sanders County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.6±0.4 | 40.4 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 17.0% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 33.0%±0.4 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 4.6% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.3%±0.8 pts | 83.6% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.6%±1.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.4%±1.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 23.0%±3.0 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.7%±2.7 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±1.5 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.5%±3.5 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±2.0 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 Sanders County earn?
Half of Sanders County's 5,451 households earn less than $57,476 a year (±$6,047), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,241 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,235 after inflation. 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sanders County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,476±$6,047 | $72,509 | +$7,235 |
| Mean household income | $75,317±$6,661 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,019±$2,994 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.4%±3.1 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.8%±9.9 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2%±2.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.8%±2.9 pts | 89.4% | – |
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 Sanders County?
Owners occupy 81.3% of Sanders County's occupied homes and renters 18.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $359,000 by its owner (±$20,498). The median renter pays $820 a month including utilities, and 51.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sanders County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $359,000±$20,498 | $375,800 | +$78,156 |
| Median gross rent | $820±$54 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.1%±11.1 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,430±$132 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.3%±3.1 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,808±36 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±4.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.0%±3.2 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.1%±2.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5%±2.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
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 Sanders County get to work?
64.6% of Sanders County's workers drive alone and 15.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Sanders County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.0%±2.9 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0%±2.5 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.6%±4.2 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±2.7 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 6.7%±2.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.2%±3.3 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.0 min±2.7 | 19.1 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 are Sanders County's census tracts?
Sanders County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,063 (Tract 9403) to $63,896 (Tract 2.02).
| Tract 130089000100 | 4,411±454 | $62,712 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.0130089000201 | 2,396±279 | $53,472 |
| Tract 2.0230089000202 | 4,465±447 | $63,896 |
| Tract 940330089940300 | 2,013±212 | $39,063 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sanders County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 6th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 56 |
| Median household income | 45th of 56 |
| Median home value | 14th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 16th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 56 |
| Median age | 4th of 56 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Sanders County 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.