Golden Valley County

Golden Valley County is a sparsely populated county in south-central Montana, positioned along the Yellowstone River corridor between the Billings area to the east and the Musselshell Valley to the west. Established in 1912 during a period of agricultural settlement and county formation on the Northern Plains, it remains one of the state’s smaller counties by population, with only a few thousand residents. The county is predominantly rural, characterized by open prairie, rolling benches, and river breaks that support dryland farming and cattle ranching as central economic activities. Communities are small and widely spaced, with local life shaped by agricultural traditions and regional transportation routes that connect nearby market centers. The landscape and land use reflect the broader Northern Great Plains environment, with large tracts of rangeland and cultivated fields. The county seat is Ryegate, which serves as the primary administrative and service center.

Golden Valley County is a sparsely populated county in south-central/eastern Montana, with its county seat in Ryegate. The county lies along the U.S. Highway 12 corridor between Billings and central Montana communities.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Golden Valley County, Montana, the county’s population was 884 (2020 Census).

Age & Gender

The U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Golden Valley County, Montana provides county-level demographic distributions, including age composition and sex (gender) breakdown. QuickFacts should be used for the current published county figures for:

• Age distribution (standard Census age groupings shown on the QuickFacts page)
• Gender ratio / sex composition (male vs. female shares shown on the QuickFacts page)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

The county’s race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity shares are reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Golden Valley County, Montana, including standard Census categories (e.g., White alone, American Indian and Alaska Native alone, Asian alone, and “Two or more races”) and Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Household & Housing Data

County-level household and housing indicators are reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Golden Valley County, Montana, including commonly used measures such as:

• Number of households and average household size
• Owner-occupied housing rate
• Housing unit counts and related housing characteristics shown on the QuickFacts page

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

Golden Valley County, Montana is a sparsely populated rural county where long distances between households and service areas can limit last‑mile infrastructure, shaping how residents access email and other online communication.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not typically published; proxy indicators from the American Community Survey are used instead, primarily household broadband subscription and computer availability reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. These measures track the prerequisites for routine email access rather than email behavior itself.

Digital access varies with the share of households reporting a broadband internet subscription and a desktop/laptop or tablet computer in data.census.gov (ACS detailed tables). Age structure also affects adoption: counties with larger older-adult shares tend to show lower rates of certain online activities, including frequent email use, relative to working-age populations, using Census age-and-sex distributions as context. Gender distribution is generally less predictive of access than age and household connectivity, though it is available via the same Census age/sex tables.

Connectivity constraints in rural Montana include limited provider coverage and capacity; county and regional context is documented by the NTIA BroadbandUSA and FCC broadband availability resources.

Golden Valley County is in south‑central Montana, with the county seat at Ryegate. It is predominantly rural, characterized by broad agricultural landscapes and low population density, with small, dispersed communities and long distances between settlements. These geographic conditions tend to reduce the economic density that supports dense cellular infrastructure, making coverage more variable than in Montana’s urban corridors and increasing the importance of tower siting along highways and near towns.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

• Network availability refers to where mobile carriers report service (voice and broadband) as available on the landscape (coverage).
• Adoption refers to whether residents and households actually subscribe to mobile service and use mobile internet (usage).

County-level adoption data for “mobile-only” versus “fixed + mobile” internet is generally limited in public datasets; most official adoption measures are reported at state level, by census tract, or via modeled estimates rather than directly as a countywide statistic. This limitation is most relevant when describing device ownership and household subscription behavior.

Network availability (reported coverage)

FCC mobile broadband coverage maps (availability)

The primary public reference for reported mobile broadband availability is the FCC’s coverage mapping program. The FCC’s map shows carrier-reported 4G LTE and 5G coverage by location, and is the standard starting point for identifying where service is claimed to exist within a county. See the FCC’s National Broadband Map for location-based availability and technology details: FCC National Broadband Map.

Key implications for Golden Valley County based on rural network economics and FCC mapping practices:

• Coverage is typically strongest near towns and along major roadways, with weaker and more fragmented service in sparsely populated areas.
• Reported coverage does not guarantee in-building performance or consistent speeds, especially in areas with long tower spacing and challenging terrain.
• Provider-reported coverage can differ from user experience, and the FCC map is best interpreted as a baseline indicator of claimed service.

4G LTE vs. 5G availability patterns

• 4G LTE is generally the most widespread mobile broadband technology in rural Montana, and it is commonly the baseline technology where mobile broadband is available.
• 5G availability in rural counties can be present but uneven. In many rural settings it is often based on low-band 5G deployments that extend coverage but do not always provide large performance gains over LTE. County-specific 5G performance and penetration are not typically published as an official statistic at the county level.

For statewide broadband planning context and how coverage data are used in Montana, the Montana State Broadband Office provides planning and mapping resources: Montana State Broadband Office (ConnectMT).

Adoption and access indicators (household subscription and connectivity)

Internet subscription measures and limitations at county level

The most widely cited public indicators for household internet subscription and device access come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS publishes measures such as:

• Household subscription to internet service
• Types of internet subscriptions (including cellular data plan, where reported in ACS tables)
• Computer and smartphone availability measures (in certain tables and years)

However, ACS county-level estimates for very small counties can have large margins of error, and not every mobile-specific metric is reliably reported at the county level in all releases. The authoritative source for ACS tables is: Census.gov (data.census.gov).

Clear limitation: A single countywide “mobile penetration rate” (share of people with mobile service) is not typically published as a definitive county statistic by federal agencies; adoption is inferred from survey-based household measures and provider subscription reporting at broader geographies.

Connectivity substitution patterns in rural areas (fixed vs. mobile)

In rural counties, mobile service is often used as:

• A primary connection for some households where fixed broadband options are limited
• A supplemental connection alongside fixed service for coverage redundancy, travel, and ranch/agricultural operations

County-specific shares of “cellular-only” internet subscription are not consistently available as a stable, low-error estimate in public releases for small-population counties, so statements about the prevalence of mobile-only reliance in Golden Valley County require caution and should be grounded in ACS table lookups on Census.gov rather than generalized assumptions.

Mobile internet usage patterns (how mobile broadband is used)

Typical rural usage characteristics (non-speculative, evidence-aligned)

Public datasets generally describe availability and subscription, not detailed usage behavior (hours, application mix) at county level. Patterns that are broadly consistent with rural contexts and supported by how networks are engineered and reported include:

• Outdoor and in-vehicle connectivity tends to be more reliable than indoor connectivity in areas with fewer nearby cell sites, especially in metal-roof or low-signal structures.
• Speed and latency can vary widely by location and time of day, influenced by distance to towers and limited backhaul capacity in sparsely populated areas.
• Travel corridors can be better served than off-corridor areas, reflecting tower placement and coverage priorities.

For Montana’s broader planning framing and how unserved/underserved areas are identified, reference state materials at ConnectMT and federal mapping at the FCC National Broadband Map.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

What can be stated with high confidence

• Smartphones are the dominant mobile device type in the United States, and most mobile broadband subscriptions are designed around smartphone use, with additional use through hotspots and connected devices. This is a national-level statement; county-level device mix is not typically published as a definitive statistic for small counties.

County-level device ownership indicators and limits

The ACS includes measures related to:

• Presence of a computer in the household
• Types of computing devices (in some ACS table structures)
• Internet subscription types, including cellular data plans (table availability varies by year)

For Golden Valley County, the most defensible approach is to use ACS tables for the county directly via Census.gov and report estimates with their margins of error. A precise countywide split of “smartphone vs. basic phone” ownership is generally not available as an official, stable county estimate, and carrier or OEM datasets that might quantify this are not typically public.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Low population density and infrastructure economics

• Fewer potential subscribers per square mile reduces the return on building dense cell networks, contributing to wider tower spacing and more variable coverage.
• Backhaul availability (fiber/microwave links to towers) can constrain capacity, which affects peak-time performance. Public maps show availability claims rather than backhaul constraints, so this is generally not measured directly at county level.

Terrain and land use

• Golden Valley County’s rural landscape and variable topography can influence line-of-sight propagation and create localized coverage gaps.
• Agricultural and ranch land use supports mobility-oriented connectivity needs (in vehicles, across large parcels), often aligning coverage improvements with roads and settlements rather than uniform area coverage.

Settlement pattern and service concentration

• Service tends to be more consistent near Ryegate and other inhabited nodes where towers and power/fiber access are more feasible.
• Large unpopulated areas can show reported coverage that is less consistent in practice, particularly for indoor signal strength; the FCC map remains the baseline for the official availability view: FCC National Broadband Map.

Practical, source-grounded way to document Golden Valley County specifically (without speculation)

• Availability (4G/5G): Use the FCC National Broadband Map to check location-specific 4G LTE and 5G coverage claims across Golden Valley County and along key corridors.
• Adoption (household subscription, cellular plan reporting): Use county-filtered ACS tables on Census.gov and report margins of error due to small population.
• State planning context: Use Montana’s State Broadband Office (ConnectMT) for how the state interprets coverage and prioritizes investment, while keeping county-level conclusions constrained to published estimates and mapped availability.

Golden Valley County is a sparsely populated rural county in south-central Montana; its county seat is Ryegate, and local economic activity is shaped largely by agriculture/ranching and small-town services. Low population density, long travel distances, and reliance on mobile coverage can influence social media use toward mobile-first access, community-information sharing, and private messaging alongside public feeds.

User statistics (penetration/active use)

• County-specific social media penetration data is not publicly reported in standard national surveys (most are national- or state-level, not county-level), and major platforms do not release verified “active user” counts at the county scale.
• Best available benchmark (U.S. adults): About 69% of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, according to the Pew Research Center’s Social Media Use in 2023. This serves as the most defensible baseline for interpreting likely usage in small rural counties, with the expectation that rural areas tend to be modestly lower than suburban/urban averages in many connectivity and platform-adoption measures.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Using Pew’s age-by-age patterns (Pew Research Center):

• 18–29: Highest usage (near-universal adoption across at least one platform).
• 30–49: High usage, generally slightly below 18–29.
• 50–64: Majority use, but notably lower than under-50 adults.
• 65+: Lowest usage, though still a substantial share uses at least one platform.

Implication for Golden Valley County: an older age profile typical of many rural counties generally corresponds to lower overall penetration than areas with larger 18–49 populations, and greater reliance on Facebook and messaging for community ties.

Gender breakdown

• Platform-level gender differences are generally modest in U.S. survey data, but some platforms skew slightly by gender (e.g., Pinterest tends to skew female; Reddit tends to skew male). Pew provides gender splits by platform in its detailed tables and reporting (Pew Research Center’s platform breakdowns).
• County-specific gender-by-platform usage is not published in reputable public datasets at the county level; interpretations typically rely on national survey patterns combined with local demographics.

Most-used platforms (with percentages where possible)

National adult usage shares from Pew’s 2023 reporting (Pew Research Center) are commonly used as a reference point:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (formerly Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• WhatsApp: ~29%
• Reddit: ~22%

Likely county pattern (directionally consistent with rural U.S. usage): Facebook and YouTube tend to dominate due to broad age coverage, utility for local information, and compatibility with variable bandwidth; TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat tend to be more concentrated among younger residents.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Local-information utility: Rural users commonly use Facebook Pages/Groups for event notices, school and sports updates, community alerts, and buy/sell activity; this aligns with Facebook’s strength in community-network functions and older-age adoption (Pew platform findings: Pew Research Center).
• Video-first consumption: High YouTube reach nationally corresponds with strong usage for how-to content, local-interest viewing, news clips, and entertainment; video remains a dominant format across platforms (Pew: YouTube and social video usage).
• Age-driven platform separation: Younger adults concentrate engagement on TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat-style feeds, while older adults more frequently rely on Facebook for keeping up with acquaintances and community information (Pew age patterns: Pew Research Center).
• Messaging and private sharing: Across the U.S., social interaction often shifts from public posting to private or semi-private sharing (direct messages, group chats, closed groups), especially for community coordination and family communication; this complements public-feed browsing rather than replacing it (Pew trend coverage and platform tables: Pew Research Center).
• Engagement cadence: In rural contexts, engagement frequently clusters around community events, weather/travel disruptions, and school calendars, with periodic spikes tied to local happenings and information needs rather than continuous influencer-style posting.

Golden Valley County, Montana, maintains locally recorded family and associate-related documents primarily through the Clerk and Recorder (land records, liens, and other recorded instruments) and the Clerk of District Court (court case records). Recorded instruments can include marriage-related filings, property transfers between family members, and probate-related recordings; however, Montana vital events (birth and death certificates) are issued and controlled by the state rather than the county.

Birth and death records are maintained by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records. Adoption records are generally handled through the court system and are commonly restricted. Marriage licenses in Montana are issued by a county Clerk of District Court; Golden Valley County marriage licensing and related court services are associated with the local Clerk of District Court office.

Public database availability varies. Golden Valley County provides access points for county offices and, where offered, recorded-document searching and copies through county channels. Official county contact and office access information is published on the county website: Golden Valley County, Montana (official website). State vital records ordering and eligibility rules are provided by: Montana Office of Vital Records.

Access is typically available in person during business hours at the courthouse for recorded documents and court files, with online ordering or request options more common for state-issued vital records. Privacy restrictions commonly apply to certified vital records and many adoption-related court records; public access is broader for recorded property documents and many non-confidential court filings.

Types of records maintained

Marriage records

• Marriage license applications and issued licenses: Created when couples apply to marry and the license is issued by the county.
• Marriage certificates/returns: The officiant’s completed return documenting that the marriage ceremony occurred, filed back with the county.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files: Civil court records created in a dissolution of marriage action, typically including pleadings, orders, and the final judgment.
• Divorce decrees (final judgments): The court’s final order dissolving the marriage and addressing related issues (as applicable).

Annulment records

• Annulment case files and decrees: Civil court records for actions declaring a marriage invalid, including the final judgment/decree of annulment.

Where records are filed and how they are accessed

Marriage records (Golden Valley County)

• Filing authority: Golden Valley County Clerk of District Court issues marriage licenses and maintains the county marriage records (license and completed return/certificate).
• Access methods: Access is generally provided through the Clerk of District Court office via in-person requests and written requests, and may include certified copies where authorized by law and local practice.

Divorce and annulment records (Golden Valley County)

• Filing authority: Montana District Court, 10th Judicial District (Golden Valley County). Divorce and annulment actions are filed with the Clerk of District Court, who maintains the official court case record.
• Access methods:
  • Court clerk access: Public court records are inspected or copied through the Clerk of District Court, subject to sealing/redaction rules.
  • Statewide court record access: Montana court case information may be available through the Montana Judicial Branch’s online case search (fees and limitations may apply): https://courts.mt.gov/.

State-level vital records (marriage and divorce)

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Vital Records maintains statewide vital records services, including certified copies and verifications within statutory and administrative limits: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/vitalrecords.

Typical information included in the records

Marriage license and certificate/return

Common elements include:

• Full names of spouses (including maiden name as recorded)
• Date and place (county) of issuance of the license
• Date and location of the marriage ceremony
• Officiant name and authority, and the officiant’s certification/return
• Ages or dates of birth (as recorded), and residence information (as recorded)
• Names of witnesses (when recorded)
• File number or registration identifiers and clerk certification for certified copies

Divorce decree and case file

Common elements include:

• Court name, county, and judicial district; case number
• Names of the parties; date of filing and date of final judgment
• Findings, conclusions, and the final decree dissolving the marriage
• Orders addressing legal issues reflected in the judgment, such as:
  • Legal decision-making and parenting provisions (when applicable)
  • Child support and spousal maintenance provisions (when applicable)
  • Division of property and debts (when applicable)
  • Name restoration provisions (when requested and granted)

Annulment decree and case file

Common elements include:

• Court and case identifiers, parties’ names, and filing/judgment dates
• Findings supporting annulment and the final judgment declaring the marriage invalid
• Related orders that may accompany the judgment (e.g., property, support, or parent-related provisions, as applicable)

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Public access framework: Many court records are public, but access is governed by Montana court rules and statutes, including provisions for confidential filings, sealed records, and redaction of sensitive data.
• Common confidentiality limits:
  • Certain family-law materials (such as confidential financial documentation, child-related evaluations, protected identifying information, and materials subject to protective orders) may be restricted or sealed.
  • Records involving minors, abuse/neglect proceedings, or certain protected proceedings may have heightened confidentiality.
• Vital records restrictions: Certified copies and certain verifications from DPHHS Vital Records are subject to statutory eligibility requirements and identity/relationship documentation rules.
• Sealed or restricted court files: When a case or document is sealed by court order or protected by rule, the Clerk of District Court limits inspection and copying to authorized persons and uses court-approved redaction practices for public copies.

Golden Valley County is a sparsely populated rural county in south‑central/eastern Montana on the high plains, with a small county seat at Ryegate and widely dispersed ranching and agricultural communities. Population is low (well under 1,000 residents in recent decennial estimates), the age profile skews older than state averages, and services are typically centralized around Ryegate with long travel distances to regional hubs such as Billings for specialized healthcare, higher education, and some employment.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

• Golden Valley County is served primarily by a single K–12 public district centered in Ryegate. The main public school campus is commonly referenced as Ryegate School (K–12) under the local public school district.
• School listings and district details are most reliably confirmed through the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) directory: Montana Office of Public Instruction.
• Due to the county’s small size, additional in‑county campuses are limited; some households near county borders may use adjacent‑county districts (a common pattern in very rural Montana). This cross‑boundary attendance is a practical proxy where precise enrollment boundaries vary year to year.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• County-specific student–teacher ratios and graduation rates can vary significantly year to year in very small districts (small cohort effects). The most authoritative source for district‑level staffing and outcomes is OPI’s public reporting and district report cards: OPI public reporting.
• As a proxy for context, rural Montana districts often report lower student–teacher ratios than state and national averages because of small enrollments, while graduation rates can show high variability due to small graduating classes.

Adult educational attainment (countywide)

• Adult education levels for Golden Valley County are best captured through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) tables for “Educational Attainment.” County estimates commonly indicate:
  • A large majority with at least a high school diploma (or equivalent), consistent with statewide rural patterns.
  • A smaller share with a bachelor’s degree or higher than Montana’s urban counties.
• County estimates and comparisons are available via the Census Bureau: data.census.gov (ACS Educational Attainment).
• Because the county population is small, ACS margins of error can be large; these figures are best interpreted as ranges rather than precise point estimates.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• In small K–12 districts, course offerings typically prioritize core graduation requirements, with distance learning/online coursework and shared services (e.g., regional cooperative programs) often used to expand access to electives, college-credit, or career/technical education.
• District-level program availability is most reliably confirmed through district publications and OPI program participation listings: Montana OPI programs and district resources.
• As a regional proxy, Montana rural districts commonly participate in:
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways (agriculture mechanics, basic trades, business/technology fundamentals).
  • Dual-credit arrangements with Montana’s higher education system where staffing and scheduling allow.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Montana public schools generally maintain required safety planning, visitor procedures, and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management; specific measures (secure entry, drills, threat assessment protocols) are determined locally and reported through district policy documents and OPI guidance.
• Counseling and student support capacity in very small districts is often limited by staffing, with services frequently delivered through a combination of school staff roles and regional partnerships. Baseline requirements and guidance are reflected in state education standards and district policy resources via OPI: Montana OPI student support and safety guidance.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

• The most current county unemployment estimates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), which provides annual and monthly series: BLS LAUS (county unemployment).
• In very small rural Montana counties, the unemployment rate tends to be volatile month to month; annual averages provide the most stable “most recent year” metric.

Major industries and employment sectors

• Golden Valley County’s economy is characteristic of rural eastern/central Montana:
  • Agriculture and ranching (cattle, hay, small grains) as a foundational land-use and income driver.
  • Local government and education (county services and the school district) as major stable employers.
  • Retail trade and basic services concentrated in Ryegate and nearby communities.
  • Construction and transportation-related activity tied to rural infrastructure and regional freight routes.
• Sector profiles for Golden Valley County are summarized in Census “County Business Patterns” and workforce datasets: U.S. Census County Business Patterns.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

• Typical occupational groups in comparable rural Montana counties include:
  • Management and business operations (small business owners, ranch operations management).
  • Construction and extraction (construction trades; extraction is more region-dependent).
  • Transportation and material moving (trucking, equipment operation).
  • Office/administrative support, education, and healthcare support roles that serve local needs.
• County occupational distributions are available through ACS “Occupation” tables: data.census.gov (ACS Occupation).
• Small sample sizes in the ACS can produce large margins of error; multi-year patterns are more reliable than single-year shifts.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commuting in Golden Valley County typically reflects longer rural drive times and out‑of‑county travel for specialized jobs and services, with many trips routed to larger labor markets (often Billings and other regional centers depending on job type).
• The definitive county measure for commute time is the ACS “Mean Travel Time to Work,” available here: data.census.gov (ACS commuting).
• As a practical proxy, rural Montana counties frequently show commute times in the range of roughly 15–30+ minutes, with a notable share of commuters traveling substantially longer when accessing regional hubs.

Local employment vs. out‑of‑county work

• Given the county’s limited employer base, a meaningful share of employed residents commonly work outside the county. This is captured by ACS “Place of Work” and commuting flow indicators.
• For detailed commuting flows (origin–destination), the Census Bureau’s LEHD/OnTheMap tools provide the most granular public commuting visualization: Census OnTheMap (LEHD commuting flows).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

• Housing tenure in Golden Valley County is typically owner‑occupied dominated, reflecting a rural single‑family and farm/ranch housing stock, with a smaller rental market concentrated near the county seat.
• The most recent county tenure rates (owner vs. renter) are provided by the ACS “Tenure” tables: data.census.gov (ACS housing tenure).

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value estimates for Golden Valley County are available in ACS “Median Value (dollars)” tables. Small-population counties can show year-to-year volatility, so multi-year ACS trends are the most stable representation: data.census.gov (ACS home value).
• As a regional proxy, rural Montana home values have generally increased since 2020, though appreciation in very rural counties is often less steep and more variable than in high-growth metro and amenity regions.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent is reported by the ACS. In very small rental markets, listed rents can vary widely due to limited supply and unit condition: data.census.gov (ACS rent).
• As a proxy, rental availability tends to be limited, with the market skewed toward single-family rentals, small multifamily buildings, and mobile homes rather than large apartment complexes.

Types of housing

• The county’s housing stock is predominantly:
  • Single‑family detached homes in Ryegate and small settlements.
  • Farm and ranch residences on large rural lots and agricultural parcels.
  • A small number of manufactured/mobile homes and limited small‑scale multifamily units.
• Unit-type distributions are available via ACS “Units in Structure” tables: data.census.gov (ACS units in structure).

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Residential development is concentrated in and around Ryegate, where proximity to the K–12 school campus and basic civic services (county offices, post office, small retail) is greatest.
• Outside town, housing is dispersed along county roads and highways, with greater distances to groceries, healthcare, and schools; this rural dispersion is typical of plains counties with large agricultural parcels.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

• Montana property taxes are administered at the county level with state-defined classification rules. Effective tax rates and typical bills vary by property class, taxable value, local mills, and exemptions.
• County-level property tax and assessed value information is published through Montana Department of Revenue resources and local county tax/treasurer offices. A statewide entry point is: Montana Department of Revenue (property tax).
• In rural counties, typical homeowner tax bills are often lower in absolute dollars than in high-value metro areas, but the effective rate depends on local levies and assessed values; the county treasurer’s tax statement records the definitive figure for a given parcel.