Gallatin County is located in southwestern Montana, bordering Idaho to the west and Wyoming to the south, with the city of Bozeman near its center. Established in 1865 and named for U.S. Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin, the county developed around early mining routes and later expanded with agriculture and higher education. It is one of Montana’s most populous counties, with a population of roughly 120,000, and continues to grow faster than many other parts of the state. The county combines an urban core in and around Bozeman with extensive rural areas of ranchland and small communities. Its landscape includes broad valleys and prominent mountain ranges such as the Bridger Range, with portions of the Greater Yellowstone region at its southern edge. The economy is diverse, anchored by Montana State University, technology and professional services, construction, healthcare, and recreation-related employment. The county seat is Bozeman.

Gallatin County Local Demographic Profile

Gallatin County is located in southwestern Montana and includes the Bozeman micropolitan area, spanning the Gallatin Valley and adjacent mountainous regions. The county is a major regional center for population growth, higher education, and year-round tourism in the state.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Gallatin County, Montana, Gallatin County had an estimated population of approximately 120,000 (July 1, 2023 estimate).

Age & Gender

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Gallatin County, Montana (2018–2022 American Community Survey):

  • Age distribution (selected measures)
    • Under 18 years: reported by Census QuickFacts (ACS 2018–2022)
    • 65 years and over: reported by Census QuickFacts (ACS 2018–2022)
    • Median age: reported by Census QuickFacts (ACS 2018–2022)
  • Gender ratio
    • Female persons: reported by Census QuickFacts (ACS 2018–2022)
    • Male persons: implied as the remainder of the population share

(Exact percentages for each item above are provided in the QuickFacts table for Gallatin County.)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Gallatin County, Montana (2018–2022 American Community Survey), the county’s racial and ethnic composition is reported across standard Census categories, including:

  • White alone
  • Black or African American alone
  • American Indian and Alaska Native alone
  • Asian alone
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
  • Two or more races
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

(QuickFacts presents these as percentage shares for the county.)

Household & Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Gallatin County, Montana (2018–2022 American Community Survey and decennial Census where indicated), household and housing measures reported for Gallatin County include:

  • Households (count) and persons per household
  • Owner-occupied housing unit rate
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units
  • Median gross rent
  • Housing units (count)
  • Building permits (where available in QuickFacts)

For local government and planning resources, visit the Gallatin County official website.

Email Usage

Gallatin County’s mix of fast-growing urban areas (Bozeman/Belgrade) and sparsely populated rural terrain affects digital communication: denser corridors tend to have more robust networks, while mountainous and remote areas face higher build-out costs and coverage gaps. Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published; broadband and device access are standard proxies for likely email access.

Digital access indicators show relatively strong connectivity compared with many rural counties, reflected in broadband subscription and computer/household device measures reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and detailed in the Census American Community Survey (ACS).

Age structure influences email adoption: Gallatin County has a large college-age and young-adult population alongside older residents, and age distributions are available via the Census Bureau QuickFacts for Gallatin County. Gender composition is close to balanced and is generally a weaker predictor of email use than age and access.

Connectivity constraints include rural last‑mile limitations and terrain-related coverage challenges; county planning and infrastructure context is published by Gallatin County government.

Mobile Phone Usage

Gallatin County is in southwestern Montana and includes Bozeman (the county seat) along with rapidly growing communities such as Belgrade and Big Sky. The county combines an urbanizing population center in the Gallatin Valley with extensive mountainous terrain (including areas adjacent to Yellowstone National Park) and large tracts of public land. These features strongly influence mobile connectivity: valley floors and highway corridors tend to have denser infrastructure and stronger signal continuity, while canyons, forested/mountainous areas, and sparsely populated regions experience more coverage gaps and performance variability.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

  • Network availability describes where mobile providers report service coverage (e.g., 4G LTE or 5G coverage footprints).
  • Adoption (household/individual use) describes whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and use smartphones/mobile broadband, which is shaped by income, housing type (renter vs. owner), age, and affordability.

County-level “mobile penetration” is not consistently published as a single measure. The most comparable public indicators at county/sub-county scale generally come from federal surveys on broadband subscriptions (adoption) and from FCC reporting on provider coverage (availability).

Mobile access and adoption indicators (publicly available measures)

Household broadband subscription indicators (including cellular data plans). The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) publishes county-level estimates for household computer ownership and internet subscription types, including “cellular data plan” subscriptions. These data are commonly used as a proxy for household-level reliance on mobile broadband, while noting that they do not directly measure signal quality or network performance.

Limitations at county level.

  • ACS measures subscription and device ownership at the household level, not network availability, and it does not distinguish 4G vs. 5G use.
  • County-level data do not reliably capture seasonal population impacts (notably in Big Sky and recreation areas), which can affect real-world network congestion and usage patterns.

Network availability in Gallatin County (4G/5G and where it is reported)

FCC mobile broadband availability. The primary public source for broadband availability reporting is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Data Collection (BDC), which includes mobile broadband coverage layers submitted by providers. These datasets support map-based review of where 4G LTE and 5G are reported as available.

4G LTE availability (general pattern).

  • In Gallatin County, provider-reported LTE coverage is typically strongest in and around Bozeman/Belgrade, along major transportation corridors (notably I‑90), and in more developed valley areas.
  • Coverage becomes more discontinuous in mountainous terrain and more remote areas due to terrain shadowing and distance from towers, even where outdoor coverage is reported.

5G availability (general pattern).

  • Provider-reported 5G is generally most prevalent in the Bozeman–Belgrade urbanizing corridor and other higher-demand areas. Reported 5G footprints tend to be less continuous than LTE outside population centers, reflecting deployment patterns that prioritize denser markets.
  • FCC availability layers indicate where 5G is reported, but they do not guarantee consistent indoor performance, nor do they indicate whether users have 5G-capable devices or plans.

State-level broadband context and mapping.

  • Montana’s statewide broadband planning and mapping resources provide context on infrastructure and service gaps, often including mobile alongside fixed broadband in planning materials.
  • See the Montana State Broadband Office for statewide broadband information and related mapping/planning resources.

Mobile internet usage patterns (what can be supported with public data)

What is measurable at county scale.

  • Public county-scale data more reliably capture whether households subscribe to internet service types (including cellular data plans) than how residents use mobile networks (streaming, tethering, app usage) or which radio access technology (4G vs. 5G) they use day-to-day.
  • The ACS “cellular data plan” subscription category is a key indicator for households that rely on mobile service for internet access, but it does not measure usage intensity.

Performance and congestion are not directly measured by FCC availability maps.

  • FCC availability is provider-reported coverage; it does not equate to typical speed, latency, or peak-hour congestion at specific sites in Gallatin County.
  • Independent speed-test aggregations are often used in practice, but they vary in methodology and are not official measures of adoption.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

Smartphones are the dominant mobile endpoint, but county-specific device shares are limited.

  • County-level statistics that break down smartphone vs. basic phone ownership are not consistently published as a standard local measure in federal datasets.
  • The ACS does provide county-level estimates for the share of households with a computer and internet subscription types, but “computer” in ACS includes desktops/laptops/tablets and does not directly classify “smartphone ownership.”
  • Device-type patterns in Gallatin County are most defensibly described using:

Practical implication for connectivity.

  • In areas with limited fixed broadband options (common in rural and mountainous parts of the county), households may report cellular data plans as their internet subscription, reflecting greater reliance on smartphones and mobile hotspots for primary connectivity. This is an adoption indicator (subscription), distinct from whether 5G is available at the location.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography and terrain (availability).

  • The Gallatin Valley supports denser tower placement and more consistent coverage than mountainous regions.
  • Mountainous terrain, canyon roadways, and forested public lands create signal obstruction and increase the likelihood of “coverage islands” and dead zones, even when a broader area is shown as served on provider-reported maps.

Population distribution and growth (availability and adoption).

  • Bozeman and surrounding communities concentrate population and employment, increasing demand and generally improving the business case for newer deployments (including 5G).
  • More remote parts of the county face higher per-user infrastructure costs, which can correlate with fewer providers, fewer sites, and less redundancy.

Seasonal and visitor-driven demand (real-world experience).

  • Big Sky and areas near Yellowstone experience substantial seasonal influxes, which can affect network load. This factor is relevant for understanding user experience but is not directly captured by adoption datasets like ACS or by availability layers.

Socioeconomic factors (adoption).

  • Adoption of mobile plans, smartphones, and home internet subscriptions is influenced by income, housing costs, and age distribution. County-level measures are available through ACS for broader socioeconomic context and for household internet subscription types.
  • County profile and demographic context are accessible through the Census QuickFacts portal and detailed tables via Census.gov.

Local and official references relevant to Gallatin County connectivity

Data limitations specific to the requested topics

  • Mobile penetration/access: No single standardized county-level “mobile penetration rate” is routinely published publicly; ACS subscription categories (including cellular data plans) serve as the most comparable adoption indicator.
  • 4G vs. 5G usage patterns: County-level usage by radio technology is not provided in ACS; FCC maps show reported availability, not actual usage or device capability.
  • Device types: County-level smartphone vs. basic phone shares are not consistently available in standard federal county datasets; ACS “computer” measures do not directly substitute for smartphone ownership.
  • Geographic granularity: Sub-county variations (e.g., Bozeman vs. Big Sky vs. backcountry areas) are substantial; FCC coverage layers provide the most direct spatial view of reported availability, while ACS is primarily countywide (and sometimes available for select sub-county geographies depending on table and sample reliability).

Social Media Trends

Gallatin County is in southwestern Montana and includes Bozeman (the county seat), Big Sky, and the rapidly growing communities around Montana State University. The county’s large student population, tech- and outdoor-oriented economy, and high in‑migration from other states contribute to comparatively high digital adoption and frequent use of social platforms for local events, recreation, housing, and community information.

User statistics (penetration / share of residents using social media)

  • County-level social media penetration: No authoritative, regularly published dataset provides direct social media penetration estimates specifically for Gallatin County. Most reliable measures are available at the U.S. national level and are commonly used as a proxy when local data are not published.
  • Benchmark (U.S. adults): About 7 in 10 U.S. adults use at least one social media site, according to the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
  • Local context factors linked to higher usage: Gallatin County’s relatively young age profile (influenced by MSU) and rapid population growth are associated with higher social media usage in most U.S. survey findings; however, a county-specific percentage is not available from Pew or comparable national survey series.

Age group trends

National survey findings consistently show the highest usage among younger adults:

  • Highest use: Ages 18–29 have the highest overall social media adoption across platforms in Pew’s national trend reporting (Pew Research Center).
  • Strong participation: Ages 30–49 remain high across major platforms, typically below 18–29 but above older groups (Pew).
  • Lower use: Ages 65+ use social media at lower rates than younger cohorts, with especially lower adoption on newer/video-forward platforms (Pew).
  • County-relevant interpretation: The presence of a major university and a large 18–29 population supports heavier use of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube-style video consumption patterns relative to older, more rural Montana counties.

Gender breakdown

  • Overall usage: Pew’s U.S. findings generally show small differences in overall social media use by gender, with platform-specific differences more pronounced than “any social media” use (Pew Research Center).
  • Platform tendencies (U.S. patterns):
    • Women tend to be more represented on Pinterest and often report higher use of some community/relationship-oriented platforms (Pew).
    • Men tend to be more represented on platforms such as Reddit in Pew’s platform breakdowns.
  • County-level gender split: No standard public source reports Gallatin County social-platform usage by gender; national platform-by-gender patterns are the most reliable reference.

Most-used platforms (with percentages where possible)

County-specific market shares are not published in a consistent, reputable series; the most reliable percentages are national. Pew’s platform penetration estimates for U.S. adults provide a benchmark for likely platform prominence in Gallatin County:

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

  • Video-centric consumption: YouTube’s broad reach nationally (83% of U.S. adults) and TikTok’s strong adoption among younger adults align with Gallatin County’s large student/young-professional segment; short-form video and creator content are key engagement modes (Pew).
  • Event and community discovery: In fast-growing local markets like Bozeman, social platforms are commonly used for local happenings, outdoor conditions, housing and roommate searches, and community groups, with Facebook Groups and Instagram-style discovery patterns reflected in broader U.S. usage research (Pew).
  • Platform-by-age differentiation:
    • 18–29: Heavier use of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and high YouTube use (Pew).
    • 30–49: Broad multi-platform use, with continued reliance on Facebook and increased LinkedIn presence relative to younger groups (Pew).
    • 50+ and 65+: More concentrated use on Facebook and YouTube, lower adoption of Snapchat/TikTok (Pew).
  • Information and news exposure: Social platforms remain important pathways for news and local updates nationally, though usage varies by platform; national reporting on this overlap is tracked by Pew in its internet and social media research (Pew Research Center social media research).

Family & Associates Records

Gallatin County, Montana maintains limited family-status records at the county level. Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court. Divorce decrees and other family court case filings are maintained as District Court records; public access is generally provided through the Montana Judicial Branch Clerk of Court resources and in-person inspection at the courthouse.

Birth and death certificates are not recorded by the county clerk in Montana; they are maintained by the State of Montana. Certified vital records are handled by Montana DPHHS Vital Records. Adoption records are generally treated as confidential court and/or state vital records, with access limited by statute and court order practices.

Public databases commonly used for family/associate-related research include: recorded real property documents via the Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder (recording/land records information), property ownership and parcel data via the Gallatin County iTax, and inmate/booking information via the Gallatin County Sheriff.

Access occurs online through the linked portals and in person through the Clerk of Court, Clerk & Recorder, and relevant county offices. Privacy restrictions commonly apply to certified vital records, sealed adoption matters, and certain court filings.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage records (licenses/certificates)

  • Marriage license application and license issuance records are created and kept by the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court as part of the county’s marriage licensing function.
  • After the ceremony, the officiant’s completed return is recorded, producing a marriage certificate/record of marriage associated with the license.

Divorce records (decrees and case files)

  • Divorce decrees (final judgments) and related pleadings and orders are maintained as part of the Gallatin County District Court civil case record.
  • The record commonly includes a case register/docket entries and the final decree; supporting documents (e.g., settlement agreements, parenting plans) may be included in the case file.

Annulments

  • Annulments are handled as District Court civil matters and are maintained similarly to divorce case records, including the court’s final order/judgment and related filings.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Gallatin County (local custody and access)

  • Marriage licenses and local marriage records: filed and maintained by the Gallatin County Clerk of District Court. Copies are generally obtained through the clerk’s office (in-person, and/or by written request per local procedures).
  • Divorce and annulment records: filed in the Gallatin County District Court case file and maintained by the Clerk of District Court. Access is commonly available through:
    • On-site public access at the clerk’s office for non-restricted case materials.
    • State judiciary online case access for docket-level information and, where available, document images for non-confidential filings: Montana Judicial Branch.

State of Montana (vital records)

  • Montana’s centralized vital records office, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Office of Vital Records, maintains official marriage and divorce “vital record” verifications/certified copies under state vital statistics administration: Montana DPHHS Vital Records.
  • For divorces, the state vital record is generally a divorce certificate/verification (a vital statistics record), while the full decree and case file remain with the District Court.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/record

Common elements include:

  • Full legal names of both parties (including maiden/former names where recorded)
  • Date and place of marriage
  • Ages or dates of birth, and residences at time of application (as captured on the application)
  • Date the license was issued and license number
  • Officiant identification and signature, and the officiant’s return/certification of the ceremony

Divorce decree and court case record

Common elements include:

  • Names of the parties and court case number
  • Filing date and date the decree is entered
  • Findings and orders regarding dissolution of marriage
  • Orders regarding property division and allocation of debts
  • Spousal maintenance (alimony), when ordered
  • Child-related orders when applicable (parenting plan, decision-making, parenting time, child support)
  • Restoration of former name, when granted

Annulment judgment/order

Common elements include:

  • Names of the parties and court case number
  • Legal basis for annulment under Montana law as reflected in pleadings/findings
  • Court order declaring the marriage invalid/voidable and related ancillary orders (property, support, parenting issues as applicable)

Privacy or legal restrictions

  • Marriage records are generally treated as public records at the county level, but access to certified copies and certain personal identifiers may be controlled by office practice and state law governing vital records issuance.
  • Divorce and annulment court records are generally public, but specific filings or information may be restricted by law or court order. Common limitations include:
    • Sealed records by court order (limited access).
    • Confidential information protections (e.g., Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other protected identifiers) subject to redaction rules and privacy protections.
    • Protected information involving minors and certain sensitive matters may be subject to restricted access or redaction.
  • State vital records (DPHHS) are subject to Montana vital records statutes and administrative rules, which can limit issuance of certified copies/verifications to eligible requesters and require identity verification.

Education, Employment and Housing

Gallatin County is in southwest Montana and includes Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, and Big Sky, with extensive rural areas in the Gallatin, Madison, and Bridger mountain valleys. It is one of Montana’s fastest-growing counties, shaped by Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, a large tourism/recreation economy (Big Sky and Yellowstone-area access), and ongoing housing and infrastructure pressures associated with in-migration and higher-than-state-average incomes and home prices.

Education Indicators

Public school presence (counts and names)

Gallatin County is served by multiple K–12 public school districts rather than a single countywide district. District boundaries and school counts change over time with growth and bond-driven expansions. The most consistently referenced public districts serving the county’s population centers include:

  • Bozeman Public Schools (Bozeman School District #7)
  • Belgrade School District #44
  • Three Forks School District #24
  • Big Sky School District #72
  • Manhattan School District #3
  • Willow Creek School District #15
  • Amsterdam School District #8 (elementary; students typically attend another district for high school)

Public school names and current rosters are maintained by districts and the state. District-run school listings are available through district sites and state directories such as the Montana Office of Public Instruction and district pages (e.g., Bozeman Public Schools, Belgrade School District).

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: Countywide ratios vary by district and school level. A commonly used proxy for local conditions is district-level staffing and enrollment reported to the state; in fast-growing Gallatin County districts, ratios generally track near typical Montana ranges but can be higher in rapidly expanding schools. For the most comparable statewide metric sets (including staffing and outcomes by district), OPI’s reporting tools and district profile reports are the most direct reference (OPI data/reporting).
  • Graduation rates: Graduation rates are reported at the district and school level by OPI. In Gallatin County’s larger districts (Bozeman and Belgrade), graduation rates have generally tracked at or above Montana averages in recent reporting years, with smaller districts showing more year-to-year volatility due to cohort size. The most recent official rates are available in OPI’s graduation and accountability reporting (Montana OPI).

Data note: A single “Gallatin County student–teacher ratio” is not typically published as a standard statistic; district-level ratios and graduation rates are the standard and most accurate proxies.

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

Adult education levels in Gallatin County are high relative to Montana overall, strongly influenced by MSU and in-migration of degree-holding households.

  • High school diploma or higher (age 25+): generally above 95% (ACS-based county profiles).
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): commonly reported well above 50% in recent ACS 5-year county estimates, among the highest in Montana.

County attainment figures are available through U.S. Census Bureau ACS profiles and tables (e.g., data.census.gov).

Notable programs (STEM, CTE/vocational, AP/dual credit)

Across the county’s main districts:

  • Advanced Placement (AP) coursework is widely offered in larger high schools (notably in Bozeman and Belgrade systems).
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings are present in county districts, typically including trades, business, health-related pathways, and applied technology courses aligned with Montana CTE standards and local workforce needs.
  • Dual enrollment/college credit opportunities are supported through partnerships common in Montana, including local access influenced by MSU presence.
  • STEM enrichment is a recurring emphasis in Bozeman-area programming, supported by university-adjacent resources and regional employers in technology and engineering-adjacent services.

Program availability is reported most directly in district course catalogs and OPI CTE summaries (Montana OPI CTE).

School safety measures and counseling resources

Gallatin County districts generally follow statewide requirements and standard practices including:

  • Emergency operations planning, controlled building access, visitor management, drills, and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management.
  • Student support services, including school counselors; larger districts typically include counseling teams and multi-tiered supports, with referrals to community mental health providers.
  • Behavioral threat assessment and reporting practices are increasingly standard in Montana districts, implemented through local policy and staff training.

Policy and safety planning frameworks are addressed through district safety pages and state guidance (see Montana OPI for statewide resources).

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment (most recent year available)

Gallatin County’s unemployment rate is typically among the lowest in Montana, reflecting a tight labor market anchored by education, healthcare, construction, and tourism services. The most recent official annual and monthly rates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry:

Data note: The most defensible “most recent year” figure depends on the latest annual average release in LAUS; Gallatin County has generally remained in the low single digits in recent years.

Major industries and employment sectors

Gallatin County’s employment base is diversified compared with many Montana counties, with strong concentrations in:

  • Educational services (MSU and K–12 systems)
  • Healthcare and social assistance
  • Accommodation and food services (tourism-driven, especially toward Big Sky and Yellowstone access)
  • Construction (housing and commercial growth)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services
  • Retail trade
  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Industry distributions are available through ACS industry-by-occupation tables and state labor market profiles (U.S. Census ACS; Montana DLI).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Common occupational groups in the county generally include:

  • Management, business, science, and arts occupations (elevated share relative to state averages)
  • Service occupations (tourism, hospitality, food service)
  • Sales and office occupations
  • Construction and extraction
  • Education, training, and library
  • Healthcare practitioners and support

Occupational composition is captured in ACS occupation tables and Montana labor market summaries (ACS occupation tables).

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

Commuting in Gallatin County reflects a hub-and-spoke pattern:

  • Bozeman functions as the primary employment center (MSU, healthcare, professional services).
  • Belgrade serves as both an employment node (industrial/airport-adjacent services) and a major residential community for Bozeman commuters.
  • Big Sky has substantial in-area employment in resort and service jobs, with seasonal variation.
  • Rural communities (Manhattan, Three Forks, Willow Creek) show commuting flows toward Bozeman/Belgrade and, to a lesser extent, toward neighboring counties.

Mean travel time to work is reported in ACS; Gallatin County’s mean commute is typically in the high teens to low 20s (minutes), with longer commutes from outlying towns and canyon corridors. Official commute metrics and mode share are available via U.S. Census ACS commuting tables.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

A substantial share of residents both live and work within Gallatin County, driven by Bozeman-area job density. There is also notable out-commuting to adjacent counties (including Madison and Park) and some in-commuting into Bozeman/Belgrade for jobs. The most authoritative measures are “county-to-county commuting flows” from the Census Bureau’s LEHD program:

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership vs. renting

Gallatin County has a mixed tenure profile:

  • Owner-occupied housing is the majority countywide, but renter share is elevated relative to many Montana counties due to MSU, a younger workforce, and rapid in-migration. Tenure (owner vs. renter) is reported in ACS housing tables (U.S. Census ACS housing).

Median property values and recent trends

Gallatin County has among the highest home values in Montana, with strong price growth since 2020 and continued affordability constraints relative to state medians. The most comparable, regularly updated median value series is:

Trend note: Local market reports and state housing dashboards consistently describe Gallatin County as a high-cost, high-demand market with constrained supply, particularly in Bozeman and Big Sky. ACS provides standardized medians; private market sources provide higher-frequency trends but are not fully comparable to ACS.

Typical rent prices

Rents are high by Montana standards, especially in Bozeman and Big Sky, reflecting limited vacancy and strong demand.

  • ACS median gross rent is the primary standardized measure for “typical rent” (ACS rent tables).

Data note: Neighborhood-level rent variation is large (campus-adjacent and central Bozeman higher; some outlying areas lower), and Big Sky-area workforce rental supply is structurally constrained.

Housing types

Common housing forms include:

  • Single-family detached homes in Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and rural subdivisions
  • Townhomes and duplexes in growing subdivisions near Bozeman and Belgrade
  • Apartments and multi-family buildings concentrated in Bozeman and near major corridors
  • Rural lots and ranchettes throughout the valley and foothill areas
  • Resort/second-home properties and condos in the Big Sky area

ACS “units in structure” tables provide standardized housing-type shares (ACS housing structure data).

Neighborhood characteristics (schools and amenities)

  • Bozeman: Higher-density housing and newer multi-family inventory closer to MSU, Downtown, and major services; strong proximity to schools and parks in established neighborhoods, with ongoing development on the urban edge.
  • Belgrade: Significant newer subdivision growth, generally lower prices than central Bozeman (though still high by state standards), with commuting access to Bozeman and the airport corridor.
  • Manhattan/Three Forks: Smaller-town patterns with more single-family homes and larger lots; amenities are more limited locally, increasing reliance on commuting to Bozeman for services and specialized healthcare.
  • Big Sky: Resort-oriented development pattern; proximity to recreation amenities is high, while workforce housing availability is a persistent constraint.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Montana property taxes are based on taxable value (a percentage of market value set by property class) multiplied by local mill levies, so effective rates vary by location, levies, and classification. Gallatin County homeowners often face higher total tax bills primarily because market values are high, even when effective rates are comparable to other counties.

  • Official property tax administration and mill levy information is published by the county and the state, including assessment and billing explanations through the Montana Department of Revenue and local county finance/treasurer resources.

Data note: A single “average property tax rate” for the county is not a standard published metric because effective rates vary widely by taxing jurisdiction and levy structure; the most reliable proxies are (1) countywide median home value (ACS) and (2) jurisdiction-specific mill levies and billed tax totals from local government records.

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Montana