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Plains, MT

Town in Sanders County, Montana.

Population

1,195

Land area

0.6sq mi

People per sq mi

1,944

ZIP codes

0

Plains and its ZIP codes

Full map

Plains at a glance

  • Plains is about 253 times as dense as Montana as a whole.
  • By population, it ranks 83rd among 475 cities and towns in Montana.
  • The median household income is $25,491, 65% below the Montana median of $72,509.
  • A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $248,300 (34% below Montana) and median rent is $843 a month.

Local data for Plains, MT

Counts from official public data

Housing and community stats

Plains, MT, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$25,491

Poverty rate

31.2%

Median home value

$248,300

Median rent

$843/mo

Homeownership

53.1%

Bachelor's or higher

13.4%

Median age

43.3

Average commute

15.0 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (444), Irish Americans (188), Norwegian Americans (161).

Home values and rentsIncome, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Sanders County. PPP loans are for Plains.

Details

Unemployment rate

4.6%

Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$48,888

3,364 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$49,189

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$205M

FY 2026, $16,497 per person

Sanders County economyFederal spending

How people get to work

Plains, MT, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates

  • Drove alone51.8%
  • Carpooled15.9%
  • Public transit1.4%
  • Walked15.1%
  • Bicycle0.0%
  • Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
  • Worked from home15.9%

Average one-way commute: 15.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.

Environment and hazard risk

Plains, MT, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Relatively Low

Top: landslide

Storm events since 1996

1,112

Countywide, mostly heavy snow

Flood insurance policies

26

0.4% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

86° / 22°F

Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in Plains, MT, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

33.7%

U.S. 33.3% about the same

Diabetes

11.9%

U.S. 12.1% about the same

Smoking

15.6%

U.S. 12.8% +2.8 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

10.2%

U.S. 11.1% -0.9 pts

Cities near Plains

NameDistanceLand area (sq mi)
ParadiseCensus-designated place6.5 mi0.2
WeeksvilleCensus-designated place7.6 mi2.9
Hot SpringsTown14 mi0.4
St. RegisCensus-designated place15 mi0.9
CamasCensus-designated place15 mi0.5
SuperiorTown18 mi1
LonepineCensus-designated place20 mi13.4
RiverbendCensus-designated place21 mi3.9
De BorgiaCensus-designated place22 mi2.7
Thompson FallsCity23 mi1.6
HauganCensus-designated place25 mi0.6
DixonCensus-designated place27 mi6.6
BelknapCensus-designated place28 mi4.8
NiaradaCensus-designated place29 mi49.5
Old AgencyCensus-designated place29 mi0.6
SalteseCensus-designated place30 mi0.3

Frequently asked questions

What county is Plains, MT in?
Plains is in Sanders County, Montana.
What is the population of Plains, MT?
About 1,195 people live in Plains, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
What cities are near Plains?
Nearby places include Paradise (6.5 mi), Weeksville (7.6 mi), Hot Springs (14 mi), St. Regis (15 mi), Camas (15 mi).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023