1st Advantage MortgageThe median Sanders County household earns $57,476, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Sanders County
- What it costs to live in Sanders County
- Paychecks and income spread in Sanders County
- Work, industries and travel time in Sanders County
- The communities that make up Sanders County
- Counties near Sanders County
- A Sanders County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Sanders County
- Borrowing situations common in Sanders County
- Montana rules that apply in Sanders County
- Steps before you apply in Sanders County
- More guides for Sanders County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Sanders County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sanders County's population at 13,285; only 13 of Montana's 56 county-level areas are larger. It covers 2,760 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Thompson Falls is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 1,500 people (11% of the county total).
What it costs to live in Sanders County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $820 in Sanders County versus $1,081 statewide. By the Census definition, 56% of Sanders County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $359,000, a typical Sanders County house costs 6.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. Median construction year: 1992.
| Housing | Sanders County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $820/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $359,000 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.1% | 9.4% | n/a |
Because most Sanders County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Paychecks and income spread in Sanders County
Sanders County households have a median income of $57,476 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 45th of 56 in Montana.
| Household income | Sanders County | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +8.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.4% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -5.5 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.4% of Sanders County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.445 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Sanders County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 12%. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (11% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.0% in Sanders County. About 65% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Sanders County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 11.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.2% | +5.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | -1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -4.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The communities that make up Sanders County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 37% of Sanders County residents live in one of the 13. Incomes vary by place: $46,313 at the median in Thompson Falls, $21,300 in Hot Springs. Rent is cheapest in Thompson Falls ($543) and steepest in Plains ($843). No Sanders County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson Falls | city | 1,500 | $46,313 | $543 | 13 mi |
| Plains | town | 1,195 | $25,491 | $843 | 25 mi |
| Hot Springs | town | 557 | $21,300 | $725 | 26 mi |
| Heron | CDP | 328 | $29,207 | n/a | 43 mi |
| Dixon | CDP | 281 | $48,333 | $850 | 49 mi |
| Trout Creek | CDP | 252 | $64,853 | $643 | 19 mi |
| Noxon | CDP | 209 | $60,167 | n/a | 32 mi |
| Weeksville | CDP | 147 | $64,333 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Old Agency | CDP | 129 | $45,750 | $550 | 51 mi |
| Lonepine | CDP | 122 | $31,667 | $850 | 26 mi |
| Paradise | CDP | 76 | n/a | n/a | 31 mi |
| Camas | CDP | 34 | $23,750 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Belknap | CDP | 32 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Counties near Sanders County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (43 to 71 miles). Income ranges from $47,143 in Lincoln County to $81,861 in Kootenai County; 4 of these neighbors top Sanders County's median. The list crosses into Idaho, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanders County | - | $57,476 | $820/mo | 81% |
| Shoshone County, ID | 43 mi | $55,527 | $943/mo | 74% |
| Mineral County, MT | 44 mi | $63,450 | $801/mo | 81% |
| Lake County, MT | 52 mi | $63,360 | $901/mo | 75% |
| Lincoln County, MT | 57 mi | $47,143 | $762/mo | 78% |
| Flathead County, MT | 64 mi | $73,925 | $1,142/mo | 72% |
| Kootenai County, ID | 71 mi | $81,861 | $1,492/mo | 71% |
A Sanders County household budget, worked through
Here is the Sanders County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $57,476 a year is $4,790 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $820, which is 17% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,096 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $820, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Sanders County
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 13.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Sanders County | Montana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.6 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.5% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.7% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.2% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Sanders County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Sanders County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 14% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 55, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Rent squeeze. 56% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Montana rules that apply in Sanders County
Consumer lenders serving Sanders County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Montana that is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Sanders County
Quick steps for Sanders County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sanders County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Montana.
- Ask a Sanders County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Sanders County
For statewide rules and data, see the Montana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Sanders County earn?
The median is $57,476; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Sanders County?
$820 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Which towns does the Sanders County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Thompson Falls, Plains, Hot Springs, Heron, Dixon.
Does living in Sanders County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Sanders County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Sanders County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Montana it is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions.