Sanders County, Montana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 15th-largest in Montana

The population of Sanders County, Montana is 12,936 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 15th-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $54,035, the median home value is $323,800, and the median age is 54.6.

The population of Sanders County has grown 21.9% since 2010 (11,395 → 13,895), a +1.43% annualized rate.

Sanders County within Montana · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

12,936

Population

+1.43%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$54,035

Median Income

$323,800

Median Home Value

Sanders County covers 2,760 sq mi of land at 4.7 people per square mile.

About Sanders County, MT

Sanders County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 63.2% of the population. With 12,936 residents, Sanders County is a county in Montana. It ranks #15 among counties in Montana by population.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $54,035, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 10.1%, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $323,800, with typical rent around $774.

Roughly 21.6% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. About 14.5% of workers primarily work from home, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.

The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Sanders County, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.

Sanders County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Sanders County had a population of 11,395 in 2010 and 13,895 in 2024, a 21.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 13,895 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.44%.

Sanders County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

13,895

Population (2024)

11,395

Population (2010)

13,895

Peak (2024)

1.44%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	11,395	-	-	estimate
2011	11,402	+7	+0.06%	estimate
2012	11,379	-23	-0.20%	estimate
2013	11,314	-65	-0.57%	estimate
2014	11,316	+2	+0.02%	estimate
2015	11,298	-18	-0.16%	estimate
2016	11,472	+174	+1.54%	estimate
2017	11,702	+230	+2.00%	estimate
2018	11,744	+42	+0.36%	estimate
2019	11,946	+202	+1.72%	estimate
2020	12,461	+515	+4.31%	estimate
2021	12,949	+488	+3.92%	estimate
2022	13,396	+447	+3.45%	estimate
2023	13,726	+330	+2.46%	estimate
2024	13,895	+169	+1.23%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	89.8%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.9%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

54.6

Median Age

48.5%

Female

51.5%

Male

32.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

3.8%

5–9

4.8%

10–14

5.0%

15–19

5.7%

20–24

4.0%

25–34

6.8%

35–44

9.9%

45–54

10.5%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

10.4%

65–74

20.1%

75–84

9.5%

85+

2.8%

Children (under 15): 13.6% · Seniors (65+): 32.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$54,035$-15,887 vs state
Mean household income	$71,302
Per-capita income	$31,554
Poverty rate	10.1%+3.0% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.8%
Employment-to-population	40.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.7%

Retail trade

10.2%

Construction

10.1%

Agriculture

8.9%

Manufacturing

7.4%

Education & health care

6.8%

Public administration

5.8%

Finance & real estate

5.6%

The largest employment sector in Sanders County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.7% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

5.1%

Carpool

67.8%

Public transit

14.5%

Work from home

23.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$323,800$-14,300 vs state

Median home value

$774

Median rent

80.0%

Homeownership rate

6,789

Total housing units

80.3%

Occupied

19.7%

Vacant

20.0%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

86.6%

With health insurance

91.2%

With broadband internet

63.2%

Foreign-born

14.0%

Veterans (18+)

22.5%

With a disability

94.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.2%

High School+

21.6%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Montana

Billings (118,321)Missoula (75,600)Great Falls (60,412)Bozeman (55,042)Butte-Silver Bow (34,929)Helena (33,126)Kalispell (26,830)Belgrade (11,425)All Montana cities →

Other counties in Montana

Yellowstone County (167,340)Gallatin County (122,194)Missoula County (119,639)Flathead County (108,445)Cascade County (84,601)Lewis and Clark County (72,580)Ravalli County (45,807)Silver Bow County (35,589)Lake County (32,073)Lincoln County (20,656)All Montana counties →

Part of Montana

Montana demographic profile All Montana data →

Metro areas in Montana

Billings (187,269)Missoula (124,435)Bozeman (122,194)Helena (92,391)Great Falls (84,601)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Sanders County, Montana has a population of 12,936 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 15th-largest county in Montana. Population density is 5 people per square mile.

The population of Sanders County has grown 21.9% since 2010 (11,395 → 13,895), a +1.43% annualized rate.

The median household income in Sanders County, Montana is $54,035, with mean (average) household income of $71,302 and per-capita income of $31,554. 10.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Sanders County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.8%), Hispanic or Latino (5.9%), Black or African American (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Sanders County, Montana is 54.6 years. Residents are 48.5% female and 51.5% male.

The median home value in Sanders County is $323,800 and median monthly rent is $774. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,789 total housing units, 19.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Sanders County, Montana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.8%.

Billings is among the largest cities associated with Sanders County, Montana, with a population of 118,321.