Population 8,605 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Bigfork
Household size in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.28 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.20 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Bigfork is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.28 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.0 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.9 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 55.4 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 53.8 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 53.8, Bigfork is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 51.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Bigfork has the oldest population of any Montana city with 5,000+ people.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.9% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Bigfork: 5.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Bigfork has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Montana cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bigfork
Renters in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.7% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Bigfork is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 46.9% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 38.0% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 38.0% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.3% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.3% of the housing in Bigfork, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other Montana city with 5,000+ people has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1994 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +7 | +6 |
Bigfork has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1994, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Only three of the 35 Montana cities with 5,000+ people have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $686 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $750 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $955 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,244 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$558 | +$487 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Bigfork costs $1,244 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $558 a month from 2006–10, an 81% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.8% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bigfork
Bachelor's degrees in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.2% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.3% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.2% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.6% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +15.5 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Bigfork is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (49.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 15.5 points, as it has nationally. Only three of the 35 Montana cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.1% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.1% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.9% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.9% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Bigfork: 97.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Montana city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bigfork
| Period | Bigfork | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.8% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Bigfork has been strong: just 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bigfork compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | 2.35 | 53.8 | 5.1% | 16.7% | 26.3% | 1994 | $1,244 | 49.6% | 97.9% | 1.8% |
| Woods Bay | 2.42 | 56.2 | 1.5% | 12.3% | 33.5% | 1992 | $1,742 | 48.1% | 98.7% | 3.1% |
| Creston | 2.71 | 48.4 | 4.0% | 10.0% | 21.3% | 1995 | $1,344 | 40.5% | 99.1% | 2.1% |
| Somers | 2.52 | 49.3 | 10.8% | 28.1% | 13.7% | 1986 | $1,152 | 36.2% | 90.9% | 1.7% |
| Lakeside | 2.36 | 47.8 | 7.2% | 26.6% | 30.3% | 1987 | $1,143 | 37.4% | 97.6% | 1.7% |
| Bear Dance | 2.17 | 60.2 | 3.8% | 6.7% | 54.8% | 1989 | $1,200 | 44.3% | 96.8% | 2.0% |
| Rollins | 2.21 | 59.2 | 4.1% | 5.8% | 54.1% | 1990 | $1,234 | 41.3% | 96.2% | 3.5% |
| Swan Lake | 2.14 | 57.2 | 1.5% | 5.1% | 33.3% | 1995 | $2,323 | 44.0% | 97.6% | 1.0% |
| Evergreen | 2.84 | 40.5 | 10.2% | 25.3% | 1.8% | 1987 | $1,233 | 23.5% | 91.7% | 3.7% |
| Kalispell | 2.58 | 40.9 | 7.9% | 31.9% | 5.9% | 1988 | $1,376 | 34.7% | 96.3% | 2.8% |
| Proctor | 2.23 | 58.9 | 4.1% | 3.9% | 53.8% | 1990 | $1,277 | 39.0% | 95.9% | 4.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Salem, AL · Emerson, NJ · Farmersville, TX · Farmingdale, NJ · Fisherville, KY · Folsom, LA · Fox Point, WI · Goshen, KY · Prosperity, SC · Quinton, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bigfork. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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