Population 13,285 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sanders County
Household size in Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.19 | 2.41 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.16 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 2.44 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.23 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Sanders County run small, averaging 2.42 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has climbed from 2.19 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the east.
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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.9 | 39.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.4 | 40.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.0 | 41.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 55.5 | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.6 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Sanders County skews older: half of its residents are older than 55.5, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 48.9 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Montana's 56 counties, only two are older.
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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 9.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.9% of households in Sanders County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Sanders County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Montana counties.
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 Sanders County
Renters in Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 31.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 30.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.7% of households in Sanders County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 58.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the west. The renter share is down 2.8 points from 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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.7% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.2% | 14.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.5% | 12.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 19.5% of the housing in Sanders County, 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.
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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +14 | +7 | +6 |
Sanders County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Of Montana's 56 counties, only three 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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $630 | $703 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $691 | $775 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $629 | $870 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $883 | $1,189 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$253 | +$487 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Sanders County costs $883 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $253 a month from 2006–10, a 40% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the southeast.
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 Sanders County
Bachelor's degrees in Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 28.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.8% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 32.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Sanders County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 21.8%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.1 points, in line with the national trend. Sanders County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Montana counties.
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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.0% | 91.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.1% | 92.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.8% | 93.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.9% | 94.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Sanders County have finished high school (91.9%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in Montana as a whole (94.6%). The share with a diploma has risen 4.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Sanders County
| Period | Sanders County | Montana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 5.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Sanders County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Montana as a whole (3.7%). Unemployment is down 4.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Sanders County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanders County | 2.42 | 55.5 | 4.9% | 18.7% | 19.5% | 1990 | $883 | 21.8% | 91.9% | 5.5% |
| Mineral County | 2.30 | 50.8 | 8.8% | 18.9% | 15.6% | 1985 | $814 | 25.8% | 92.6% | 3.2% |
| Shoshone County | 2.38 | 44.8 | 8.8% | 26.0% | 17.2% | 1961 | $862 | 12.7% | 89.1% | 5.9% |
| Lake County | 2.59 | 44.4 | 8.8% | 25.0% | 18.7% | 1985 | $994 | 31.0% | 92.8% | 5.5% |
| Benewah County | 2.56 | 45.5 | 9.6% | 26.8% | 14.0% | 1978 | $858 | 22.0% | 86.4% | 3.0% |
| Kootenai County | 2.61 | 42.0 | 9.5% | 28.7% | 9.8% | 1994 | $1,591 | 29.9% | 94.8% | 3.1% |
| Spokane County | 2.52 | 39.8 | 10.5% | 35.5% | 6.7% | 1978 | $1,446 | 33.0% | 94.7% | 5.4% |
| Teton County | 2.44 | 43.6 | 5.2% | 24.5% | 15.9% | 1964 | $749 | 26.8% | 91.7% | 1.0% |
| Lincoln County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 8.6% | 19.6% | 15.7% | 1966 | $889 | 24.0% | 92.2% | 7.5% |
| Cascade County | 2.37 | 40.5 | 10.3% | 31.5% | 10.3% | 1971 | $1,089 | 28.5% | 94.6% | 3.2% |
| Grant County | 2.85 | 35.2 | 15.8% | 33.7% | 10.1% | 1986 | $1,156 | 19.0% | 81.7% | 6.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lafayette County, WI · Kemper County, MS · Kent County, MD · Keokuk County, IA · Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK · Kewaunee County, WI · Kimball County, NE · Kimble County, TX · King and Queen County, VA · King William County, 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 Sanders County. 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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