Big Horn County

Big Horn County is located in southeastern Montana along the Wyoming border, with the Bighorn River valley and the Bighorn Mountains defining much of its landscape. Established in 1913 and named for the nearby mountain range, the county lies within a region shaped by Plains and mountain-front geography and by long-standing Indigenous presence, including the Crow Indian Reservation, which covers a substantial portion of the county. Big Horn County is small in population by Montana standards, with roughly 13,000–14,000 residents, and remains predominantly rural. The economy centers on agriculture and ranching, with additional activity linked to local government and services. Communities are dispersed, and cultural life reflects both reservation and non-reservation traditions. The county seat is Hardin, which serves as the primary administrative and service hub for surrounding rural areas.

Big Horn County is in southeastern Montana along the Wyoming border, centered on the Bighorn River valley and the Crow Indian Reservation. The county seat is Hardin; local government information is available via the Big Horn County official website.

Population Size

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Big Horn County, Montana, the county’s population was 13,124 (2023 estimate).
• The same source reports the 2020 Census population was 13,124, indicating little to no net change between the 2020 decennial count and the 2023 estimate.

Age & Gender

Age distribution (share of total population)

• Under 5 years: 7.1%
• Under 18 years: 29.1%
• 65 years and over: 12.7%

Gender ratio

• Female persons: 50.3%
• Male persons: 49.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Big Horn County, Montana).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race (share of total population; “alone” unless otherwise noted)

• American Indian and Alaska Native: 64.4%
• White: 29.6%
• Two or more races: 4.6%
• Black or African American: 0.4%
• Asian: 0.3%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.0%

Ethnicity

• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Big Horn County, Montana).

Household & Housing Data

• Households (2019–2023): 3,699
• Persons per household (2019–2023): 3.47
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2019–2023): 61.0%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $182,400
• Median gross rent (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $851
• Housing units (2023): 4,405

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Big Horn County, Montana).

Big Horn County, Montana is largely rural with widely spaced communities and significant reservation lands, conditions that raise the cost and complexity of last‑mile internet infrastructure and can limit always‑available digital communication such as email.

Direct countywide email-use statistics are not typically published, so email adoption is inferred from proxy indicators: household internet/broadband subscription and computer availability reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov). These measures track the prerequisites for routine email access and use.

Digital access indicators from Census “Computer and Internet Use” tables show how many households have a computer and subscribe to broadband (cable/fiber/DSL or other non-cellular service), versus relying on cellular data only; higher cellular-only reliance generally corresponds to more constrained email access for attachments and account recovery workflows.

Age structure also influences email adoption: Census age distributions for the county (older shares vs. working-age shares) are a proxy for differences in email reliance, since email use tends to be lower among older adults than among prime working-age groups.

Gender distribution is available in Census profiles but is not a primary driver of email access compared with connectivity and age.

Connectivity limitations are reflected in rural terrain, distance to network backbones, and provider availability; statewide broadband planning materials compiled by the Montana State Broadband Office are commonly used to document coverage gaps.

Big Horn County is in south-central Montana along the Wyoming border, anchored by the Bighorn River valley and bordered by the Bighorn Mountains to the south. The county includes small population centers such as Hardin and Crow Agency and extensive rural areas (including the Crow Reservation). Low population density, long distances between settlements, and rugged terrain near mountain foothills and river breaks can reduce the economics and radio line-of-sight conditions that support dense mobile tower grids, making coverage more variable than in Montana’s urban corridors.

Data scope and limitations (county-specific vs. broader indicators)

County-level, device-type adoption and mobile-only household measures are not consistently published at the same granularity as statewide or national datasets. As a result:

• Network availability (where signals exist) is best documented through federal coverage datasets and mapping programs.
• Household adoption and usage (whether residents subscribe to mobile broadband, rely on smartphones, or use mobile-only internet) is more commonly available at state, regional, tribal-area, or survey microdata levels rather than a single-county summary. Where Big Horn County–specific adoption figures are not directly available from public tables, the overview relies on county-relevant geographic and infrastructure factors and points to authoritative sources that provide the most comparable evidence.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (availability vs. adoption)

Network availability (coverage presence)

• FCC mobile broadband coverage maps provide the primary public reference for where mobile providers report 4G LTE and 5G service. These maps reflect reported availability rather than confirmed user experience. See the FCC’s coverage tools via the FCC Mobile Broadband Maps and the FCC National Broadband Map.
• Montana statewide broadband mapping and planning resources often summarize coverage challenges in rural counties and along transportation corridors; they are useful for contextualizing Big Horn County but are not a direct measure of household adoption. Reference the Montana Department of Commerce broadband program for statewide mapping and planning documents.

Household adoption (subscriptions and use)

• The most widely cited public adoption indicator in the United States is ACS (American Community Survey) internet subscription tables, which measure whether households subscribe to internet service and the type (including cellular data plans). ACS results are survey-based and represent adoption, not coverage. County-level access can be explored through Census.gov data tables (search for internet subscription by county; availability of the most detailed breakouts varies by release year and margins of error can be large in sparsely populated areas).
• The ACS “cellular data plan” category indicates subscription type but does not fully describe smartphone ownership, quality of service, or reliance on mobile-only internet. These are often measured by specialized surveys that may not publish Big Horn County–level estimates.

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G/5G availability and practical constraints)

4G LTE availability (network availability)

• In rural Montana counties such as Big Horn, 4G LTE typically represents the baseline wide-area mobile broadband layer, with stronger continuity near population centers and major highways and more variable service in remote areas and complex terrain. The authoritative depiction of reported LTE footprints remains the FCC National Broadband Map (select mobile broadband layers and filter by technology).

5G availability (network availability)

• 5G availability in rural counties is often concentrated in or near town centers and along primary corridors, and may include low-band 5G that improves coverage footprint more than peak speeds. Provider-reported 5G layers can be reviewed through the FCC Mobile Broadband Maps.
• Public datasets generally do not provide countywide statistics for 5G adoption (how many residents use 5G-capable devices or plans) at the county level; coverage maps represent availability, not uptake.

Performance and reliability considerations (non-adoption)

• In areas with fewer sites and longer distances between towers, real-world mobile broadband can be affected by cell-edge conditions, topography, and backhaul availability. These factors influence user experience but are not directly captured by provider availability reporting. Public challenge processes and verification programs associated with the FCC map provide additional context on reported vs. experienced service; see the FCC Broadband Data Collection information hub.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Public county-level distributions of smartphone vs. feature phone ownership are not routinely published in standard federal tables. The ACS does not directly report smartphone ownership; it reports household internet subscription types (including cellular plans) and device availability in some related survey contexts, but not a clean “smartphone share” county table.
• In rural counties, common connected-device categories relevant to mobile networks include:
  • Smartphones (primary personal access device for many residents, especially where wired broadband is limited)
  • Mobile hotspots (dedicated cellular hotspot devices used for home internet substitution in low-density areas)
  • Fixed wireless/cellular home internet gateways (carrier-provided routers using cellular networks)
  • Connected vehicles and agricultural/industrial IoT (more situational, not well measured publicly at county level) Because Big Horn County–specific device-type splits are not established in a single authoritative public dataset, the most defensible county-level statement is that device mix must be inferred indirectly from subscription-type data (ACS) and from provider offerings, rather than from a published county device census.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Rural settlement pattern and distance

• Big Horn County’s dispersed settlement pattern increases per-capita infrastructure cost and reduces the density-driven incentives that support extensive small-cell deployments. This typically leads to reliance on macrocell towers and greater variation in indoor coverage and data rates across the county.

Terrain and radio propagation

• The combination of river valleys, rolling plains, and proximity to mountainous terrain can create shadowing and uneven signal propagation. Coverage tends to be more consistent along valleys and near established rights-of-way than in rugged or remote locations.

Tribal lands and governance context

• Much of the county includes the Crow Reservation, where broadband and mobile deployment may involve additional coordination among tribal, federal, state, and private entities. Coverage and adoption can be influenced by program eligibility, rights-of-way, and infrastructure investment patterns. High-level policy and program context is documented through federal and state broadband resources such as the FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy and Montana’s broadband office resources at the Montana Department of Commerce.

Income, age distribution, and household composition (adoption-side drivers)

• Adoption of mobile broadband subscriptions is correlated in national and state survey literature with income, education, and age, but Big Horn County–specific causal attribution requires locally published survey results.
• The most appropriate public mechanism to describe county demographics tied to connectivity is to use ACS demographic profiles and internet subscription tables via Census.gov, while treating small-area estimates with caution due to sampling variability in less-populated places.

Clear distinction summary: availability vs. adoption in Big Horn County

• Availability (network presence): Best evaluated with provider-reported mobile coverage layers on the FCC National Broadband Map and FCC mobile map tools. These describe where service is claimed to be available (4G/5G) and do not measure subscription rates or user experience.
• Adoption (household use/subscriptions): Best evaluated with survey-based measures such as ACS internet subscription types on Census.gov. These indicate whether households subscribe (including via cellular data plans) but do not directly quantify smartphone ownership, 5G device uptake, or detailed usage behavior at the county level.

Big Horn County is in south‑central Montana along the Wyoming border, anchored by Hardin (county seat) and the Crow Agency area on the Crow Indian Reservation. The county’s rural geography, significant Native population, and long driving distances between communities contribute to a strong reliance on mobile connectivity and social platforms for local news, community updates, and event coordination. Big Horn County’s population base is small relative to Montana overall, which typically concentrates digital activity into a few high‑use platforms and locally focused groups.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• Local, county-specific social media penetration rates are not published in standard federal datasets; most reliable measures are available at the U.S. (and sometimes state) level rather than by county.
• National adult usage (baseline benchmark): About 69% of U.S. adults report using at least one social media site, according to Pew Research Center’s social media fact sheet. This serves as the most widely cited benchmark for local reference where county-level surveys are unavailable.
• Local context affecting active use: In rural counties such as Big Horn, usage tends to be shaped by mobile-first access and community information needs (school updates, local sports, road/weather alerts). County-level “active user” counts are typically available only through paid ad platforms and are not released as official statistics.

Age group trends

Based on U.S.-level survey patterns (used as the standard reference due to limited county-level publication):

• Highest usage: 18–29 and 30–49 adults consistently report the highest overall social media use. Pew reports that 84% of ages 18–29 and 81% of ages 30–49 use social media, compared with 73% of ages 50–64 and 45% of 65+ (Pew Research Center).
• Platform-by-age concentration: Younger adults skew toward visually oriented and video-centric platforms (notably Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok), while older adults have higher concentration on Facebook. Pew’s platform tables show Facebook remains broadly used across age groups, while Instagram/Snapchat/TikTok are markedly higher among younger adults (Pew platform detail).

Gender breakdown

• Overall use: Pew’s reporting generally shows similar overall social media usage rates among men and women at the national level, with clearer differences emerging by platform rather than “any social media” adoption (Pew Research Center).
• Platform differences (national patterns):
  • Pinterest skews more female.
  • Reddit and some discussion-forward platforms skew more male.
  • Facebook and Instagram are closer to parity in many Pew measurements (variation exists by year and survey wave).

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

The most reliable, comparable percentages are from national surveys:

• Facebook: 68% of U.S. adults use Facebook.
• YouTube: 83% of U.S. adults use YouTube (measured as an online platform frequently used similarly to social media). Source: Pew Research Center.
• Instagram: 47% of U.S. adults
• Pinterest: 35% of U.S. adults
• TikTok: 33% of U.S. adults
• LinkedIn: 30% of U.S. adults
• X (formerly Twitter): 22% of U.S. adults
• Snapchat: 27% of U.S. adults
• Reddit: 22% of U.S. adults

Local interpretation for Big Horn County: In rural U.S. contexts, Facebook (including Groups) tends to dominate community-level communication; YouTube is widely used for information and entertainment; TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat concentrate more heavily among younger residents.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

• Community-information use (Facebook-heavy): Rural counties commonly rely on Facebook Groups and local pages for school announcements, sports schedules, community events, lost-and-found, and informal commerce. This aligns with Facebook’s broad reach across age groups documented by Pew (Pew Research Center).
• Short-form video growth (younger cohorts): TikTok usage is substantially higher among younger adults than older adults in Pew’s platform breakouts, supporting a pattern of short video as a primary engagement format among teens and young adults (Pew platform breakouts).
• Messaging-centered engagement: National research shows increasing reliance on direct messaging tied to social apps (Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, Snapchat), which can be especially salient in places with dispersed communities where in-person coordination is less convenient.
• News and local alerts: Social platforms function as rapid distribution channels for local news and weather/road conditions, particularly where traditional local media capacity is limited.
• Mobile-first consumption: Rural areas tend to show stronger reliance on smartphones for internet access; this typically correlates with higher engagement in scrollable feeds and video formats. Pew’s broader internet research tracks the centrality of smartphones in U.S. connectivity (Pew Research Center internet research).

Big Horn County residents access most family and associate-related public records through Montana’s statewide vital records system and county-level offices. Birth and death certificates are state-maintained vital records (with certified copies issued by the state), while marriage licenses are typically recorded through the county clerk and recorder. Adoption records are generally sealed and handled through the courts and state agencies, with access restricted by law.

Public-facing databases commonly include property ownership and recorded documents (deeds, liens), court case registers, inmate custody information, and voter registration services, depending on the office. For recorded documents and many property-related indexes, the primary local point of access is the county clerk and recorder.

Access methods include in-person requests at the courthouse offices and online access through state portals and judicial systems. Vital records requests and informational copies are handled through the state’s Office of Vital Records: Montana DPHHS Vital Records. Court case information is available through the Montana Judicial Branch: Montana Courts. County office contact and service listings are provided via the county’s official site: Big Horn County, Montana.

Privacy restrictions are strongest for birth records, adoption files, and some death records, with access limited to eligible requesters and identity verification requirements. Fees, certified-copy rules, and permitted uses vary by record type and custodian.

Types of records available

• Marriage licenses and marriage certificates (Big Horn County)
  • Marriage records generally originate from a marriage license application and license issued by the Big Horn County Clerk of District Court. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license for recording, producing the county’s recorded marriage record.
• Divorce decrees (Big Horn County)
  • Divorce records are maintained as civil case court records in the Montana District Court for the county (Big Horn County is within the Thirteenth Judicial District). The final outcome is typically documented in a Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (divorce decree) and associated orders.
• Annulments
  • Annulments are handled as district court civil matters and maintained in the same district court case file system as other family-law cases. The final order is typically an Order/Decree of Annulment and related findings.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Big Horn County Clerk of District Court (marriage records)
  • Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Clerk of District Court. Copies are obtained from the clerk’s office through county records request processes (commonly in person or by mail, subject to office procedures and fees).
• Montana District Court (divorce and annulment case files)
  • Divorce and annulment case files are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of District Court as the district court clerk for Big Horn County. Access is typically available by requesting copies from the clerk and, where applicable, through court record access systems for public case information. Some documents in family cases may be restricted or redacted.
• Montana Office of Vital Records (state-level vital records copies)
  • Montana maintains statewide vital records, including marriage and divorce information maintained under state vital statistics administration. State-issued certified copies (where authorized) are obtained through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Office of Vital Records.
  • Reference: Montana DPHHS – Office of Vital Records

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license / recorded marriage record
  • Names of the spouses (including prior/maiden names where provided)
  • Date and place of marriage (county; ceremony location may appear)
  • Date of license issuance and license number (or county recording identifiers)
  • Ages or dates of birth (varies by form/version)
  • Residences at time of application (commonly listed)
  • Officiant name and authority, and date officiant returned the completed license
  • Witness information may appear depending on the form used
• Divorce decree / dissolution case record
  • Case caption (party names), court, cause/case number, filing and judgment dates
  • Type of action (dissolution of marriage; with/without children)
  • Findings and orders on legal status, property division, debt allocation
  • Parenting plan determinations, child support, and spousal maintenance (when applicable)
  • Restoration of former name (when ordered)
• Annulment decree / annulment case record
  • Case caption, court, case number, filing and judgment dates
  • Findings supporting annulment and the order declaring the marriage invalid/voidable
  • Related orders (property, support, parenting issues where applicable)

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Public access with limits
  • In Montana, court records are generally presumed open to the public, but family-law case files can contain protected information. Courts may restrict access to certain documents by statute, court rule, or specific sealing orders.
• Confidential information and redactions
  • Sensitive identifiers and protected personal data (commonly including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, minor children’s identifying information, and certain protected health or abuse-related information) are commonly redacted or withheld from public copies consistent with court rules and privacy protections.
• Sealed or restricted filings
  • Specific documents or entire case files may be sealed by court order in limited circumstances. In such cases, access is restricted to the parties and authorized persons.
• Certified copies and identity/eligibility rules
  • Certified vital records and some certified court copies are subject to identity verification and eligibility requirements set by the issuing office. Fees and proof-of-identity requirements commonly apply.

Big Horn County is in south-central Montana along the Wyoming border, centered on the Bighorn River valley and the Crow Reservation, with key communities including Hardin and Lodge Grass. The county has a largely rural settlement pattern, a relatively young age structure compared with many Montana counties, and a significant American Indian population, which shapes school district organization, workforce participation, and housing stock.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Public K–12 education is provided primarily through local districts headquartered in the Hardin area and surrounding communities. A consolidated, countywide count of “public schools” varies by how state directories classify campuses (elementary, middle, high school, and alternative programs), and some schools serving county residents are administered through reservation-area systems; a single definitive number is not consistently reported in one county-level source. The most consistently referenced district-operated campuses include:

• Hardin Public Schools (Hardin): commonly listed schools include Hardin High School, Hardin Middle School, and Hardin Primary/Elementary campuses (campus naming varies by grade-configuration and year).
• Lodge Grass School District (Lodge Grass): commonly listed schools include Lodge Grass High School and Lodge Grass Elementary/Middle (often combined or reconfigured by grade).
• St. Xavier School District (St. Xavier): typically a smaller K–12 system with an elementary component and upper grades depending on current configuration.
• Wyola School (Wyola area): a K–8 campus is commonly referenced in education listings for the county area.

For authoritative, current school-by-school listings, the Montana Office of Public Instruction school directory provides the most up-to-date campus names and status (open/active) by district and year: Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: County-level ratios are typically reported through district staffing and enrollment and can vary considerably between small rural schools and the Hardin area. A single countywide ratio is not consistently published as a standard indicator; district-level ratios from state report cards are the most reliable proxy.
• Graduation rates: Graduation rates are reported at the district and high-school level (and for student subgroups) rather than as a stable countywide statistic. The best available source for the most recent cohort graduation rates is the state’s report card system (district and school profiles): Montana School Report Card.

Adult educational attainment (high school, bachelor’s+)

Adult education levels are most consistently measured via the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Big Horn County generally reports:

• A lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher than Montana statewide and the U.S. average.
• A high school completion rate that is typically below the statewide average, with variation by age cohort and community.

The most recent standardized county estimates are available through the ACS “Educational Attainment” tables and county profiles from the U.S. Census Bureau (data vintage depends on the latest 5-year release): U.S. Census Bureau data portal.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

Program availability is primarily district-specific and may change by staffing and enrollment.

• Career and technical education (CTE)/vocational training is common in rural Montana districts and is typically delivered through coursework in trades, agriculture-related pathways, and career readiness, often coordinated with regional partners.
• Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit offerings are generally concentrated at the high-school level (notably in larger districts such as Hardin), but course availability varies year to year.

The most defensible way to document current offerings is through district program pages and the Montana OPI CTE resources: Montana OPI Career & Technical Education.

School safety measures and counseling resources

District safety measures in the county typically reflect statewide norms for rural districts, including controlled entry procedures at primary campuses, visitor sign-in protocols, emergency drills, coordination with local law enforcement, and student support teams. School counseling resources are commonly provided through:

• School counselors (academic planning and social-emotional support),
• School psychologists or contracted services (more limited in small districts),
• Behavioral health referrals through local and tribal providers.

Formal, up-to-date descriptions are generally maintained in each district’s student handbook and safety plan summaries; Montana’s broader school safety framework is reflected in OPI guidance: Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

The most current unemployment estimates for Big Horn County are published monthly and annually by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS program). Recent years have generally shown unemployment in line with or modestly above Montana’s statewide rate, with seasonal variation typical of rural counties.

Official, most recent unemployment statistics are available here:

• Montana Labor Market Information
• U.S. BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Major industries and employment sectors

Employment is concentrated in a mix of public-sector and local-service activities, with additional contributions from land-based industries:

• Government and public administration (including tribal government and public services)
• Education and health services (schools, clinics, social assistance)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (local-serving)
• Construction (residential and infrastructure)
• Agriculture and ranching (including related support services)
• Transportation and warehousing linked to regional freight corridors

County-level industry composition is reported through the Census (ACS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and state LMI profiles:

• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
• U.S. Census Bureau (ACS industry/occupation tables)

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational distribution typically reflects the sector mix:

• Office/administrative support and management (public sector, schools, healthcare administration)
• Healthcare support and practitioners (clinics, long-term care)
• Education occupations (K–12 staff)
• Sales and service occupations (retail, hospitality)
• Construction and extraction, transportation/material moving, and installation/maintenance/repair
• Farming, fishing, and forestry (smaller share but locally important)

The most consistent county estimates come from ACS occupation tables: ACS occupation profiles.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

Big Horn County’s commuting pattern is predominantly local, car-based commuting with a rural drive-to-work profile:

• High share commuting by car/truck/van
• Limited public transit use typical of rural counties
• Mean commute times that tend to be moderate, with longer commutes for residents traveling to jobs in adjacent counties or regional hubs

The standard source for mean travel time to work and mode share is the ACS “Commuting” tables: ACS commuting estimates.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

A substantial portion of employment is local (schools, healthcare, tribal and county government, retail/services), while a notable share of workers commute to nearby counties or regional job centers for specialized work (construction projects, energy-related supply chains in the broader region, or higher-wage professional roles). The clearest measure of this dynamic is “county-to-county worker flows,” available through:

• U.S. Census OnTheMap (LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics)

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership vs. renting

Housing tenure in Big Horn County reflects rural ownership patterns but with a meaningful rental market in Hardin and in areas with workforce and public-sector employment:

• Homeownership is typically the majority share, with renting more common in the county seat area and in denser residential pockets.

The most recent county tenure estimates are published in ACS housing tables: ACS housing tenure.

Median property values and recent trends

County home values are generally below the Montana statewide median, reflecting lower land and structure prices relative to metro areas and high-amenity mountain markets. Recent years in Montana have seen price increases since 2020, and Big Horn County has generally participated in that appreciation, though often at a lower absolute price point than fast-growing counties.

The most consistent “median value of owner-occupied housing units” and trend context are available through:

• ACS median home value
• Montana Department of Commerce housing resources

Typical rent prices

Rents are typically lower than Montana’s large-market areas, with variation by unit type and proximity to services. Countywide medians are best captured through ACS “Gross Rent” measures:

• ACS median gross rent

Types of housing

The housing stock is predominantly:

• Single-family detached homes in Hardin and smaller towns
• Manufactured homes and mobile home sites (common in rural Montana counties)
• Small multifamily properties (apartments/duplexes) mainly in Hardin
• Rural lots and farm/ranch housing outside town boundaries

Neighborhood characteristics (schools/amenities)

• Hardin provides the densest cluster of amenities (schools, grocery, clinics, county services) and tends to have the largest concentration of rentals and multifamily units.
• Lodge Grass, St. Xavier, and smaller communities feature lower-density residential patterns with closer ties between housing and school campuses, but fewer retail and healthcare amenities.
• Rural residences often involve longer driving distances to schools and services, consistent with the county’s land area and settlement pattern.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Montana property taxes are administered at the county level and depend on taxable value, mill levies, and exemptions. Big Horn County’s effective property tax burden typically falls within the broad Montana range for comparable rural counties, but a single “average rate” can differ materially by:

• incorporated vs. unincorporated location,
• school district levies,
• property classification (owner-occupied, rental, agricultural).

For authoritative, current levy and billing information, the county treasurer/assessor offices and the state’s property tax administration resources are the primary references:

• Montana Department of Revenue – Property Assessment and Taxation

Because mill levies and taxable values vary widely by parcel, a single “typical homeowner cost” is not consistently published as a countywide statistic; assessed-value and levy schedules are the defensible proxy for calculating representative bills.