Sanders County, MT

County

Add Comparison
    2024 Population
    13,285
    US Senator
    Steve Daines
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Tim Sheehy
    Republican Party
    2024 Poverty Rate
    15.4%
    2.4% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $57,476
    6.37% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $359,000
    10.9% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    4,473
    1.24% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Sanders County, MT reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    99.8% of the residents in Sanders County, MT are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Sanders County, MT was $359,000, and the homeownership rate was 81.3%.

    Most people in Sanders County, MT drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22 minutes. The average car ownership in Sanders County, MT was 2 cars per household.

    About the photo: Flathead River, west of Dixon, MT
    Photo by Keith Ewing
    United StatesMontana

    Population & Diversity

    Sanders County, MT is home to a population of 13.3k people, from which 99.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.61% of Sanders County, MT residents were born outside of the country (214 people).

    In 2024, there were 25.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.7k people) in Sanders County, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 458 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 331 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.8%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.8% of Sanders County, MT residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Sanders County, MT was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Sanders County, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Sanders County, MT
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      11.7k ± 109
    2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      458 ± 101
    3. American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
      331 ± 95
    3.51%
    Hispanic Population
    466 people

    In 2024, there were 25.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.7k people) in Sanders County, MT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 458 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 331 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    3.51% of the people in Sanders County, MT are hispanic (466 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Sanders County, MT as a share of the total population.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Montana.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Canada
      4,118 ± 1,573 people
    2. Mexico
      2,905 ± 1,322 people
    3. Philippines
      1,984 ± 1,093 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Montana was Canada, the natal country of 4,118 Montana residents, followed by Mexico with 2,905 and Philippines with 1,984.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Foreign-Born Population

    1.61%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    214 people
    1.72%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    222 people

    As of 2024, 1.61% of Sanders County, MT residents (214 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Sanders County, MT was 1.72%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Sanders County, MT compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      757 ± 166
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      198 ± 72
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      184 ± 82

    Sanders County, MT has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.82 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Sanders County, MT.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health

    86.3% of the population of Sanders County, MT has health coverage, with 23.5% on employee plans, 23.2% on Medicaid, 25.9% on Medicare, 10.9% on non-group plans, and 2.86% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Sanders County, MT see 1,296 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,296 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3360 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 360 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.9% were men and 49.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,296 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Sanders County, MT

    Primary care physicians in Sanders County, MT see an average of 1,296 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,296 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Sanders County, MT in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.4% under 18 years, 12.1% between 18 and 34 years, 36.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 33.1% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.9% were men and 49.1% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Uninsured People

    13.7%
    Uninsured
    23.5%
    Employer Coverage
    23.2%
    Medicaid
    25.9%
    Medicare
    10.9%
    Non-Group
    2.86%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Sanders County, MT grew by 2.19% from 13.4% to 13.7%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Sanders County, MT changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 6.11 in Sanders County, MT.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Sanders County, MT.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.3% in Sanders County, MT.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Sanders County, MT.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 16.5% in Sanders County, MT.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Sanders County, MT.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Economy

    The economy of Sanders County, MT employs 4.47k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Sanders County, MT were Health Care & Social Assistance (736 people), Construction (525 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (439 people), and the highest paying industries were Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($250,001), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($92,083), and Utilities ($88,750).

    Employment

    Occupations

    4.47k
    2024 Value
    ± 415
    1.24%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Sanders County, MT grew at a rate of 1.24%, from 4.42k employees to 4.47k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Sanders County, MT, are Management Occupations (608 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (558 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (339 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Sanders County, MT.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Montana (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    4.47k
    2024 Value
    ± 415
    1.24%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Sanders County, MT grew at a rate of 1.24%, from 4.42k employees to 4.47k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Sanders County, MT, are Health Care & Social Assistance (736 people), Construction (525 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (439 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Sanders County, MT, though some of these residents may live in Sanders County, MT and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Median Earnings by Industry

    $49,560
    Median earning men ± $5,106
    $31,037
    Median earning women ± $3,377

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($250,001), Wholesale Trade ($75,076), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($72,813).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($72,674), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($66,875), and Construction ($42,500).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.
    Y-Axis
    2.24%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 508k people employed in Montana. This represents a 2.24% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.8%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Montana.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 60
      Construction
    2. 30
      Retail Trade
    3. 24
      Health Care and Social Assistance

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $22.4k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $12.2k
      Manufacturing
    3. $10.8k
      Accommodation and Food Services

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.96%).

    Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy are the senators currently representing the state of Montana. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Montana is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Sanders County, MT. Showing the available data for Montana.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (58.4%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (38.5%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.96%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Montana went to Donald J. Trump with 58.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.96%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Montana for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Montana

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Montana.
    Steve Daines
    Senator from Montana2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Tim Sheehy
    Senator from Montana1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2025

    Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy are the senators currently representing Montana.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Montana over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Sanders County, MT was $359,000 in 2024, which is 1.08 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $323,800 to $359,000, a 10.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Sanders County, MT is 81.3%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Sanders County, MT have an average commute time of 22 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Sanders County, MT is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Sanders County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.04%.

    Housing

    Property

    $359,000
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$20,498
    $4,431
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$436

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Sanders County, MT the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Sanders County, MT compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Rent vs Own

    81.3%
    Homeownership
    2024
    68.7%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 81.3% of the housing units in Sanders County, MT were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 80%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Sanders County, MT compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $57,476
    Median Household Income
    ± $6,047
    5.45k
    Number of Households
    ± 462

    In 2024, the median household income of the 5.45k households in Sanders County, MT grew to $57,476 from the previous year's value of $54,035.

    The following chart displays the households in Sanders County, MT distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Sanders County, MT is from Montana.
    0.458
    2024 Wage GINI in Montana
    0.46
    2023 Wage GINI in Montana

    In 2024, the income inequality in Montana was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.613% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Montana was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Montana in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Montana across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (64.6%)
    2. Worked At Home (15.2%)
    3. Carpooled (10.2%)

    In 2024, 64.6% of workers in Sanders County, MT drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.2%) and those who carpooled to work (10.2%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Commute Time

    22 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Sanders County, MT have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.98% of the workforce in Sanders County, MT have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Sanders County, MT compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Sanders County, MT distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Sanders County, MT have 2 cars.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Sanders County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.04%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty & Diversity

    15.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Sanders County, MT (2.03k out of 13.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Sanders County, MT is White, followed by Native American and Hispanic.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 20.4% of the children was living in poverty in Sanders County, MT. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 17.9%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 225 in Sanders County, MT. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 39.7% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

    View Data
    Save Image