Big Timber, Montana

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Climate Big Timber has a cool semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) bordering on a humid continental climate (Dfb). Although winters can be frigid, frequent chinook winds will raise temperatures above on an average twenty days between December and February, and have raised them to or above on ten occasions during these months since 1894. The chinooks mean Big Timber's 31.3 days per year failing to top freezing is among the fewest in Montana, with the average window for such maxima being from November 11 to March 18. In the absence of chinooks, temperatures fall to on seventeen mornings during an average winter, although such temperatures were reached just once in 1999/2000 but as many as thirty-four times during the very cold winters of 1935/1936 and 1978/1979. The average window for zero temperatures is from December 4 to February 25. The coldest temperature in Big Timber has been during the notorious 1936 cold wave on February 15, whilst February 1936 was also the coldest month on record at , shading January 1916 which averaged . Spring is typically windy with temperatures nearly as variable as in winter: the last frost typically arrives on May 19, but temperatures have reached as early as March 22, 1928, and have fallen to as late as April 13, 1928, and April 12, 1997. Late in spring thunderstorms increase in frequency and during late spring and early summer these provide most of Big Timber's annual precipitation. The wettest calendar year since 1894 has been 1957 with and the driest 1939 with , whilst the wettest single month has been May 1981 with During the summer, days can be very hot, with maxima of on 28.5 afternoons and over on 1.1, although mornings very rarely stay above . The record hottest temperature is on July 21, 1931, and the hottest morning on July 31, 1936. The fall season is usually short and variable, with snow occasionally falling in September, but at other times hot weather can extend into October or even November. ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Big Timber had a population of 1,650. The median age was 44.4 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 763 households in Big Timber, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.4% were married-couple households, 25.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 1,641 people, 751 households, and 429 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 933 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 751 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.9% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age in the city was 45.5 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 25.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 1,650 people, 711 households, and 430 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 812 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.61% White, 0.79% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population. There were 711 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.92. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,595, and the median income for a family was $38,869. Males had a median income of $29,000 versus $17,596 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,569. About 9.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over. ==Government==

Big Timber has a mayor and city council. All positions are non-partisan and have a four-year term. There are two wards, each with two council members. In the mayoral election in November 2025 Justin Ferguson was elected with 61.98% of the vote against Lee Andreas. Ferguson was a council member for 16 years. This election saw a 19.58% decline from the 2021 election with a voter turnout of 50.39%. Ferguson succeeded Greg DeBoer on January 1, 2026. DeBoer was elected with 77.69% of the vote in November 2021. He defeated candidates Lee Andreas and Lucas Lee. He succeeded Rolland Karlin who did not run for re-election. One of the major issues that presented itself in the 2021 election was the rising cost of housing. DeBoer addressed this issue by calling for the community to apply for grants and asking for any local businesses to donate money, which would be invested in Sweet Grass County. Andreas stated that if older buildings like the Madhatter Saloon were fixed up, then that would pull residents in. He also spoke of purchasing the Madhatter himself, and making the upstairs a two apartment complex. Lee responded with the idea of the city annexing more land from Sweet Grass County. He also endorsed the idea of bringing in investors to fund new housing and utilities that would be necessary. ==Arts and culture==

The Crazy Mountain Museum has a focus on the area history. In addition to the indoor displays there are outdoor replicas, including a homestead cabin from Swedish settlers to the area, and a large garden based on plant descriptions from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Carnegie Public Library serves the Big Timber area. ==Infrastructure==

Insterstate 90 passes to the south of Big Timber while U.S. Route 191 runs directly through town. Big Timber Airport is a public use airport located 3 miles southwest of town. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines. ==Education==

Sweet Grass County High School provides public high school education in Big Timber. They are known as the Sheepherders. ==Media==

The local newspaper is the Big Timber Pioneer. It is published weekly. A satellite of Yellowstone Public Radio, KYPB, is licensed in Big Timber. ==Notable people==

• Orvin B. Fjare, United States Congressman from Montana • Bobby Hauck, head football coach of the University of Montana football team • Michael Keaton, Academy Award-nominated actor • Speed Langworthy, lyricist and newspaper magnate. • Judy Martz, 22nd Governor of Montana(2001-2005) ==See also==