Montana is blessed with a rich and varied landscape ranging from Great Plains to Rocky mountains and vast parklands to Glacier National Park. Montana is an enjoyable place to live for its nearness to snow-capped mountains, wildlife preserves, and lower house prices along with tonnes of job opportunities.
Montana is large with more than 1 million people living a rich metropolitan life mixed with great access to beautiful outdoors. Coming to the counties, Montana has a total of 56 of them offering a blend of cultural attractions and playful outdoor activities. Historical sites, education facilities, affordable housing, and job opportunities make these counties a happy place to live.
We have compiled a list of the best Montana counties by considering the population, education rate, poverty rate, crime statistics, housing prices, etc. to provide you with the most honest opinion about each of them so you can decide the best place where you would like to buy a home in Montana.
1. Gallatin County
Gallatin County includes the Bozeman city has a population of 118960 is where Montana State University is located. It’s situated in a sweeping valley amid the Rocky Mountains and is the fastest growing and second most populated county in Montana.
Bozeman, Big Sky, Four Corners, Belgrade, and Gallatin Gateway are the best places to live in Gallatin County.
In Gallatin County, almost half of the adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Gallatin County is a safe place to live because during a standard year the crime rate is only 30.42 per 1,000 residents. Also, the southwest part of the county is considered to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 13.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 3.5 |
| Median Household Income | $43,201 |
| Median Home Price | $253,100 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.79 |
2. Missoula County
The population of Missoula county is 117922 making it the third-most populous county in Montana. Missoula is its county seat and the largest city and Missoula county is the state’s second-largest county.
The economy of Missoula county is quite diverse as a growing regional trade center and is blessed with many major employers like the U.S. Forest Service, local hospitals, University of Montana each providing jobs to thousands of people.
From the settling perspective East Missoula, Clinton, Turah, Lolo, and Orchard Homes are the key cities in Missoula county.
Missoula County is known as the hub of five valleys and is home to various rivers, trails, and parks. Among the adults, 43% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either property or violent crime in Missoula is one in 22. The southwest part of the county is believed to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 12.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.4 |
| Median Household Income | $54,062 |
| Median Home Price | $457,800 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.98% |
3. Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County is located in the Missouri Valley of Western Montana and its county seat is Helena, the state’s capital. The population of Lewis and Clark County is 70973 and it’s the center of intense activity and intelligence.
Lewis and Clark County is one of the oldest counties in Montana and is well-supplied with great academic institutions, sectarian, and public. Helena, East Helena, Augusta, and Lincoln are the best cities to reside in Lewis and Clark County.
40.1% of the adults of this county have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The rate of violent crime in Lewis and Clark County is 2.18 per 1,000 residents during a standard year and the west part of the county is considered to be the safest for this type of crime.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 10.5 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 3.8 |
| Median Household Income | $65,791 |
| Median Home Price | $364,700 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.96% |
4. Beaverhead County
Beaverhead County is situated in the southwestern corner of Montana and its population is 9371. It’s one of the nine original counties formed in 1865 before Montana became a state in 1889. Dillon and Lima are the two key cities to live in Beaverhead County.
Beaverhead County is home to wide-open valleys, alpine mountain ranges, and pristine lakes accompanied by the headwaters of the Missouri River. Dillon is the county seat of Beaverhead County and is the largest town. Barrett’s Minerals, which is the world’s largest talc mine, is located in Beaverhead County.
In Beaverhead County, 35.4% of the adult population have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The rate of crime in Beaverhead County during a standard year is 32.99 per 1,000 residents and the east part is believed to be the safest in the county.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 13.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 3.5 |
| Median Household Income | $43,201 |
| Median Home Price | $253,100 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.79 |
5. Jefferson County
From beautiful rivers for floating and fishing, a large motorized and non-motorized trail system to climbing and hiking in the Elkhorn Mountain range, Jefferson County has something for everyone. The population of Jefferson County is 12085 and 35% of adults here hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The Lewis and Clark Caverns, museums, the Heritage Center, ghost towns, and a magnificent botanical garden are a part of the various attractions in Jefferson county. Montana City, Clancy, Basin, Jefferson City, Whitehall, and Boulder are the best places to live in Jefferson County.
On average, in Jefferson county, a crime occurs every 21 hours 47 minutes, and the northeast part of the county is believed to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 7.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.4 |
| Median Household Income | $69,646 |
| Median Home Price | $360,100 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.63 |
6. Petroleum County
Petroleum county was founded in 1925 and its population is 496 which makes it the seventh-least populous in the US and the least populous county in Montana. 32.6% of total adults in Petroleum county have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Winnett is the county seat for the Petroleum county and is the only town in the entire county and is close to Billings. The Eastern boundary of the county is blessed with the Musselshell River and in the North, there’s the Missouri River.
Apart from Winnett, Cat Creek and Kelley are the two key communities to live in Petroleum County.
The rate of violent crime in Petroleum county is quite low which is 4.41 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. The south part of the county is considered to be the safest for violent crimes.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 16.2 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 2.6 |
| Median Household Income | $51,250 |
| Median Home Price | $151,700 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.75 |
7. Yellowstone County
The population of Yellowstone county is 164731 and it’s the most populated county in Montana and got its name from the Yellowstone River. Billings is its county seat and the largest city in Montana and is a major medical, energy, financial, transportation, and retail and wholesale trade center.
Billings, Lockwood, Custer, Shepherd, Laurel, and Huntley are the best cities to live in Yellowstone County.
Yellowstone county is the best-developed county in Montana in terms of agriculture. Almost 32.1% of the total adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The crime rate here during a standard year is 44.12 per 1,000 residents and the northwest part of the county is considered to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 10.9 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.1 |
| Median Household Income | $61,264 |
| Median Home Price | $288,300 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.90 |
8. Park County
Park county is situated in south-central Montana and its population is 17191. It is surrounded by four beautiful mountain ranges Bridger, the Crazy Mountains, Absarokas, and Gallatin. Park County has 114 mountain peaks and is blessed with colorful Shields and Paradise valleys in the center.
In the south, Park county is partially bordered by Yellowstone National Park and offers a range of sights and outdoor activities to the residents. 31.5% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Livingston, Gardiner, Pray, and Wilsall are the best places to live in Park County.
The crime rate in Park county during a standard year is 28.30 per 1,000 residents and the western part of the county is believed to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 10.5 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 5.1 |
| Median Household Income | $53,068 |
| Median Home Price | $430,000 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.74 |
9. Madison County
The population of Madison county is 8623 and the county seat is Virginia City that provides modern amenities in an old western landscape. It’s one of Montana’s original nine counties and is blessed with some of the most interesting historical highlights such as Sacajawea’s statue.
There are a few of the most popular rivers and trout streams in Madison county like Madison, Jefferson, Ruby, Beaverhead, and Big Hole. If you want to buy a home in Madison county Sheridan, Ennis, Pony, and Virginia city should be on your list.
Out of the total adults in Madison county, 31.2% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The crime rate in Madison County during a standard year is 32.68 per 1,000 residents and the north part of the county is considered to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 14.2 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 2.1 |
| Median Household Income | $54,107 |
| Median Home Price | $155,000 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.56 |
10. Carbon County
Carbon County is situated in south-central Montana and its population is 10473. It’s known for more than 60 historic sites, Petroglyph Canyon being the most popular rock art site.
Carbon County was the home of the first US railroad called the “Switchback Railroad” built on a large scale. Joliet, Edgar, Belfry, Red Lodge, and Formberg are some of the key towns in Carbon county that are the best places to live in.
Almost one-third of the adult population in Carbon county has a bachelor’s degree or higher. During a standard year, 38.51 per 1,000 residents is the crime rate in Carbon county and the northwest part is believed to be the safest.
| Poverty Rate (%) | 11.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.4 |
| Median Household Income | $58,707 |
| Median Home Price | $360,900 |
| Average Effective Property Tax Rate (%) | 0.62 |
Statistics From Every County In Montana To Help You Buy A Home
Apart from the top 10 list of the best places to buy a home in Montana, below is a detailed statistics chart of 46 Montana counties that will help you make an informed decision.
| SNo. | Counties | Population | Education Rate in % (25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher) | Poverty Rate (%) | Unemployment Rate (%) | Median Home Price | Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents) | Median Household Income | Average EffectiveProperty Tax(%)A |
| 1. | Big Horn County | 13124 | 18.1 | 25.6 | 9 | $162,200 | 59.4 | $49,859 | 0.9 |
| 2. | Blaine County | 7044 | 22.9 | 20.8 | 4.6 | $168,000 | 87.27 | $41,279 | 1.57 |
| 3. | Broadwater County | 6774 | 27.1 | 10.3 | 5.4 | $316,600 | 21.38 | $60,594 | 0.7 |
| 4. | Carter County | 1415 | 20.2 | 13.7 | 3.1 | $130,800 | 118.52 | $48,000 | 0.86 |
| 5. | Cascade County | 84414 | 25.7 | 13.4 | 4.3 | $231,600 | 52.65 | $49,913 | 0.95 |
| 6. | Chouteau County | 5895 | 28.3 | 18.7 | 3.5 | $158,900 | 64.12 | $42,298 | 0.85% |
| 7. | Custer County | 11867 | 24.6 | 12.5 | 4.3 | $193,500 | 39.1 | $52,965 | 1.01% |
| 8. | Daniels County | 1661 | 24 | 10.1 | 2.1 | $180,300 | 23.99 | $57,440 | 1.14% |
| 9. | Dawson County | 8940 | 22.2 | 11.4 | 3.8 | $176,400 | 29.03 | $58,596 | 1.02% |
| 10. | Deer Lodge County | 9421 | 20.4 | 15.9 | 4.1 | $149,400 | 36.36 | $41,820 | 1.11% |
| 11. | Fallon County | 3049 | 19 | 9.2 | 3.4 | $211,100 | 52.17 | $64,545 | 0.48% |
| 12. | Fergus County | 11446 | 29.1 | 12.2 | 4.6 | $220,500 | 29.76 | $50,540 | 0.91% |
| 13. | Flathead County | 104357 | 31 | 11.2 | 5.6 | $504,800 | 28.66 | $56,182 | 0.81% |
| 14. | Garfield County | 1173 | 14.3 | 16.3 | 2.9 | $153,900 | 91.55 | $42,000 | 1.04% |
| 15. | Glacier County | 13778 | 21.4 | 27 | 9 | $120,000 | 74.94 | $36,045 | 1.02% |
| 16. | Golden Valley County | 823 | 22.7 | 18.9 | 3.9 | $134,000 | 17.46 | $43,875 | 0.64% |
| 17. | Granite County | 3309 | 28.9 | 13.4 | 5.7 | $282,000 | 26.71 | $49,881 | 0.71% |
18. | Hill County | 16309 | 25.4 | 13.5 | 3.7 | $209,600 | 55.97 | $49,321 | 1.14% |
| 19. | Judith Basin County | 2023 | 26.6 | 13.3 | 3.4 | $227,400 | 43.14 | $43,661 | 0.55% |
| 20. | Lake County | 31134 | 29.6 | 18.2 | 5 | $373,000 | 41.11 | $48,829 | 0.75% |
| 21. | Liberty County | 1959 | 15.2 | 19 | 2.6 | $146,200 | 21.19 | $44,875 | 1.05% |
| 22. | Lincoln County | 19677 | 19.6 | 20.3 | 8.4 | $270,500 | 70.66 | $40,140 | 0.70% |
| 23. | McCone County | 1729 | 17.2 | 9.2 | 3.9 | $434,700 | 30.96 | $49,701 | 0.89% |
| 24. | Meagher County | 1927 | 29.3 | 15.9 | 3.4 | $230,600 | 74.3 | $46,607 | 0.65% |
| 25. | Mineral County | 4535 | 16.1 | 14 | 7.1 | $234,200 | 32.71 | $41,705 | 0.80% |
| 26. | Musselshell County | 4730 | 16.3 | 15 | 5.4 | $150,400 | 46.52 | $43,274 | 0.60% |
| 27. | Phillips County | 4217 | 17.2 | 15.2 | 5.5 | $176,200 | 56.08 | $46,212 | 0.88% |
| 28. | Pondera County | 5898 | 24 | 17.8 | 3.8 | $165,600 | 39.87 | $51,151 | 1.00% |
| 29. | Powder River County | 1694 | 24.4 | 12.2 | 3.4 | $147,300 | 62.32 | $54,427 | 0.76% |
30. | Powell County | 6946 | 20.4 | 18.1 | 3.6 | $200,600 | 82.49 | $54,667 | 0.94% |
| 31. | Prairie County | 1088 | 22.2 | 13.5 | 4.8 | $153,200 | 92.25 | $43,625 | 1.05% |
32. | Ravalli County | 44174 | 27.8 | 15.5 | 4.8 | $430,300 | 27.26 | $53,054 | 0.62% |
| 33. | Richland County | 11491 | 18.9 | 8.7 | 5.2 | $345,800 | 24.42 | $67,205 | 0.59% |
| 34. | Roosevelt County | 10794 | 17.4 | 25.4 | 5.3 | $150,400 | 58.61 | $43,194 | 0.85% |
| 35. | Rosebud County | 8329 | 17.8 | 17 | 4.6 | $153,300 | 89.52 | $57,992 | 0.66% |
| 36. | Sanders County | 12400 | 17.9 | 16 | 6.4 | $271,200 | 42.3 | $40,823 | 0.59% |
| 37. | Sheridan County | 3539 | 23.9 | 10.9 | 4.4 | $176,200 | 37.01 | $55,521 | 0.80% |
| 38. | Silver Bow County | 35133 | 27.2 | 16.7 | 4.9 | $163,800 | 43.9 | $45,718 | 1.08% |
| 39. | Stillwater County | 8963 | 25 | 8.1 | 3.7 | $323,200 | 41.85 | $64,645 | 0.62% |
| 40. | Sweet Grass County | 3678 | 25.4 | 10 | 3.3 | $318,800 | 53.31 | $49,886 | 0.60% |
| 41. | Teton County | 6226 | 24.9 | 15.8 | 4.3 | $224,200 | 22.09 | $55,000 | 0.92% |
| 42. | Toole County | 4971 | 15.2 | 15.1 | 3.3 | $108,100 | 59.48 | $50,721 | 0.94% |
43. | Treasure County | 762 | 25.4 | 11.4 | 4.2 | $145,100 | 81.3 | $43,047 | 0.96% |
| 44. | Valley County | 7578 | 21.5 | 13 | 4.2 | $197,500 | 38.48 | $53,162 | 0.94% |
| 45. | Wheatland County | 2069 | 19.6 | 19 | 6.9 | $127,600 | 75.87 | $39,655 | 0.73% |
| 46. | Wibaux County | 937 | 23.4 | 12 | 4.2 | $150,200 | 90.24 | $53,958 | 0.62% |
Conclusion
Living in Montana varies from one county to another but now you’re aware of each of their specialties and offerings. When you think about investing in a home in Montana county, picking the right investment partner should be on your priority list.
Considering how dynamic the Montana market is, acquiring the required capital for the investment could be a game-changer. A flexible approval process and quick loan processing are the two positive points of hard money loans.
Once you’ve shortlisted the property irrespective of if you’re looking to build a rent portfolio, purchase it, fix and flip it for profit, hard money loans could be your best companion.
When you shake hands with 14th Street Capital, you join local real estate wizards with years of experience as a preferred hard money lender in the Montana real estate market. Being an experienced Montana hard money lender we offer you the honesty and competence you require to succeed in the Montana real estate landscape.