Jefferson County

Jefferson County is located in southwestern Montana, spanning portions of the Jefferson River valley and adjacent mountain ranges between the Helena area and the northern edge of the Greater Yellowstone region. Created in 1865 and named for President Thomas Jefferson, the county developed alongside early mining activity and overland travel corridors, with later growth tied to ranching and regional trade. It is small in population, with about 12,000 residents, and includes a mix of incorporated towns and widely dispersed rural communities. The landscape combines broad valleys, forested uplands, and prominent ranges such as the Elkhorn Mountains, supporting agriculture, outdoor recreation, and public-land uses. Economic activity centers on ranching, small businesses, and commuting to nearby urban centers, especially Helena. The county retains a largely rural character with a strong local history linked to Montana’s territorial-era settlement patterns. The county seat is Boulder.

Jefferson County is located in west-central Montana, between the Helena area and the northern edge of the Greater Yellowstone region. The county seat is Boulder, and county services and planning materials are available via the Jefferson County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Jefferson County, Montana, the county’s population size is reported by the Census Bureau (including the most recent available estimate and decennial census count on that page).

Age & Gender

Age distribution and gender composition for Jefferson County are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in standard cohort groupings (e.g., under 18, 18–64, 65+ and median age; and male/female shares). These statistics are available directly from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Jefferson County, Montana).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County-level racial and ethnic composition (including categories such as White, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, two or more races, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity) is reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The latest available figures for Jefferson County are provided on QuickFacts (Jefferson County, Montana).

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing indicators commonly used for local demographic profiles—such as number of households, average household size, owner-occupied housing rate, median value of owner-occupied housing units, median gross rent, and total housing units—are published for Jefferson County by the U.S. Census Bureau. These measures are available in the “Housing” and “Families & Living Arrangements” sections of U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Jefferson County.

Notes on Sources

All demographic categories above are drawn from official U.S. Census Bureau county-level releases presented through Census Bureau QuickFacts, which compiles decennial census counts and American Community Survey (ACS) estimates where applicable.

Jefferson County, Montana is largely rural with small population centers, so longer last‑mile distances and uneven broadband buildout can constrain always‑available digital communication such as email.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published; email access is commonly inferred from household internet and device availability. The most comparable public proxies are ACS indicators on broadband subscriptions and computer ownership from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (via county tables). Age structure also shapes adoption: older populations tend to report lower rates of internet use and account creation, making the county’s age distribution (ACS) a key proxy for likely email adoption intensity.

Gender distribution is available from ACS but is typically not a primary constraint on email access compared with age and connectivity factors.

Connectivity limitations in the county are reflected in federal broadband availability mapping and challenge processes, including the FCC National Broadband Map, which documents where fixed broadband service is reported available and helps identify unserved or underserved areas that can face slower speeds, higher costs, or fewer providers.

Jefferson County is in southwestern Montana, immediately west and northwest of the Helena area, and includes small towns (such as Boulder and Whitehall) plus large rural and mountainous areas associated with the Elkhorn Mountains and surrounding valleys. Low population density, complex terrain, and long distances between settlements are structural constraints on mobile network coverage and capacity, producing larger gaps between where service exists on maps (availability) and where households consistently use mobile broadband (adoption).

Data scope and limitations (county specificity)

County-level statistics for mobile device ownership, mobile-only internet access, and smartphone vs. non-smartphone shares are often not published at the county level in standard federal datasets. As a result:

• Network availability is best described using federal coverage datasets (noting known limitations in how coverage is reported).
• Household adoption and device ownership are generally available at the state level and, for some measures, only reliably at multi-county or tract levels rather than a single county. Primary sources used for availability/adoption concepts include the FCC Broadband Data Collection and U.S. Census survey products, which are not always county-granular for mobile-specific metrics.

County context affecting mobile connectivity

Jefferson County’s connectivity environment is shaped by:

• Rugged topography (mountains, canyons, forested areas) that can block line-of-sight propagation and reduce usable signal even inside a “served” polygon.
• Settlement patterns concentrated along transportation corridors and valleys, with large areas of public land and low-density housing.
• Seasonal travel and recreation that can shift demand to remote areas where coverage is weakest.

(General county geography and population context is available through the county’s profile and federal geography tools such as Census Gazetteer files and the U.S. Census QuickFacts portal.)

Network availability (where service is reported to exist)

Network availability refers to whether mobile providers report service in an area, not whether residents subscribe or experience consistent performance.

4G LTE availability

• In rural Montana counties, 4G LTE is typically the dominant mobile broadband technology by geographic extent, with coverage strongest along highways and around towns and weaker in mountainous backcountry.
• The most standardized federal view of provider-reported LTE coverage is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC) mobile maps, which can be explored via the FCC National Broadband Map.
• Reported coverage does not guarantee reliable indoor service, continuous service along terrain-shielded roads, or performance under congestion.

5G availability

• 5G availability in rural counties is commonly more limited than LTE, and often concentrated near population centers and major corridors. The FCC map distinguishes technology generations in provider submissions (e.g., 5G-NR), but the density and real-world usability vary widely.
• County-specific quantitative 5G coverage percentages for Jefferson County are not consistently published in a ready-made table; the FCC map is the primary public interface for location-based review: FCC National Broadband Map.

Practical implications of terrain

• Mountainous terrain can create coverage shadows and frequent transitions between bands and technologies. Even when a provider reports LTE/5G coverage, actual usability can be affected by topographic obstructions, vegetation, and tower spacing.

Household adoption and mobile access indicators (distinct from availability)

Adoption refers to whether households actually subscribe to or use mobile service for internet access (and what devices they use). This often differs from availability because cost, device affordability, digital skills, and perceived need influence take-up.

Mobile broadband subscription (county-level constraints)

• The FCC publishes subscription/adoption information in its broadband reporting, but the most accessible public dashboards are typically geared toward fixed broadband and broad geographies. The FCC’s principal public entry points remain the FCC National Broadband Map (availability) and associated FCC data releases.
• The U.S. Census provides measures related to internet subscriptions and devices through the American Community Survey (ACS). However, mobile-only vs. fixed-only patterns and smartphone-only internet access are not always available in stable county-level estimates for every county/year combination. The core portals are data.census.gov and the American Community Survey (ACS) program pages.

Mobile-only reliance and substitution

• Rural areas with limited fixed broadband options often show higher rates of mobile substitution (using cellular as the primary home internet connection), but publishing this specifically for Jefferson County requires ACS table validation at county geography and year, and may be unavailable or subject to high margins of error.
• State-level context and planning documents sometimes summarize mobile dependence qualitatively as part of broadband planning. Montana’s statewide broadband planning resources are accessible through the Montana State Broadband Office.

Mobile internet usage patterns (technology and typical use)

County-specific usage intensity (streaming, telehealth, remote work via mobile, etc.) is not typically measured at county resolution in public datasets. What is consistently distinguishable is the technology layer (LTE vs. 5G) at the availability level.

• LTE remains the baseline for wide-area mobility in rural and mountainous parts of Montana, including counties like Jefferson, where tower density is constrained by terrain and economics.
• 5G is present where deployed, often starting near towns and along corridors; however, provider-reported 5G footprints can include low-band deployments that improve coverage more than peak speed.
• For a standardized, address/coordinate-based view, use the FCC National Broadband Map, which separates mobile and fixed coverage layers.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

Direct county-level breakdowns of smartphone ownership versus basic phones are not consistently available in public federal tabulations. The most relevant publicly accessible device indicators are generally derived from ACS “computer and internet use” questions, which focus on:

• Presence of computing devices (desktop/laptop/tablet)
• Internet subscription types (with limitations on isolating “smartphone-only” at small geographies)

These data are searchable at data.census.gov and documented through ACS technical documentation. For Jefferson County specifically, published estimates may be available for general device availability (computer ownership) but not necessarily for a clean smartphone-versus-non-smartphone split.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Jefferson County

Several measurable and structural factors commonly shape mobile usage and adoption in rural Montana counties:

• Population density and distance to services: Lower density raises per-user network costs and can reduce competitive provider overlap, affecting both availability and pricing.
• Terrain and land cover: Mountainous topography and forested areas degrade signal propagation and can produce localized dead zones even close to served areas.
• Income and affordability: Household income influences device upgrades (e.g., 5G-capable smartphones) and data plan selection, which in turn affects realized mobile internet use even where 5G is available.
• Age structure: Older populations tend to exhibit different adoption patterns for smartphones and mobile broadband use compared with younger cohorts; county age distributions are available through Census QuickFacts.
• Commuting and corridor effects: Coverage and quality are typically strongest along major roadways and around towns where towers are located, while remote recreational and residential areas experience more gaps.

Summary: distinguishing availability vs. adoption in Jefferson County

• Availability: Provider-reported LTE and 5G coverage can be reviewed geographically through the FCC National Broadband Map. In Jefferson County, terrain and low density are key constraints that can reduce real-world consistency relative to mapped coverage.
• Adoption: Household-level mobile reliance, smartphone-only access, and device-type splits are not consistently published as robust county-level statistics for Jefferson County. The most authoritative public sources for adoption-related indicators are the U.S. Census data portal (ACS device/internet tables where available) and statewide planning summaries from the Montana State Broadband Office.

Jefferson County is a small, largely rural county in southwest Montana along the I‑15 corridor between the state capital region and the Helena–Butte area. It includes communities such as Boulder (the county seat) and is characterized by wide geographic dispersion, outdoor recreation, and a commuter/remote‑work mix that can increase reliance on mobile connectivity and community-oriented Facebook groups for local information sharing.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• County-level social media penetration is not published in major public datasets; no reputable source provides a direct, Jefferson County–specific estimate of “percent of residents active on social platforms.”
• Best available benchmark (U.S. adults):
  • 69% of U.S. adults use Facebook (as of 2024). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
  • Overall “any social media use” is commonly measured nationally rather than as a single official figure, with platform-by-platform adoption reported by Pew and other survey programs. National benchmarks are typically used as proxies for rural counties when local measurement is unavailable.

Age group trends (highest-use groups)

National survey findings consistently show higher social media use among younger adults, with platform choice varying by age:

• 18–29: Highest multi-platform adoption; strongest usage of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube alongside Facebook. Source: Pew Research Center.
• 30–49: Heavy Facebook and YouTube use; substantial Instagram usage; TikTok use present but lower than among 18–29. Source: Pew Research Center.
• 50–64 and 65+: Facebook and YouTube dominate; Instagram and TikTok adoption declines sharply with age. Source: Pew Research Center.

Gender breakdown

County-specific gender splits are not available from standard public releases; national patterns provide the most defensible reference:

• Women in the U.S. are more likely than men to use Facebook and Pinterest, while men tend to index higher on platforms like Reddit; several platforms (notably YouTube) are broadly similar by gender. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Most-used platforms (percent using among U.S. adults)

No reliable publication reports platform shares specifically for Jefferson County, so the most credible approach is to cite national adoption rates that typically shape rural usage patterns:

• YouTube: 83%
• Facebook: 68–69%
• Instagram: 47%
• Pinterest: 35%
• TikTok: 33%
• LinkedIn: 30%
• X (Twitter): 22%
• Snapchat: 27%
• WhatsApp: 23%
• Reddit: 22%
  Source for the above: Pew Research Center, Social Media Use in 2024.

Behavioral trends (engagement and preferences)

• Community information seeking and local coordination: In rural counties, Facebook pages and groups commonly serve as de facto community bulletin boards (events, road conditions, school updates, lost-and-found, local commerce). This aligns with Facebook’s broad reach among adults nationally. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Video-centric consumption: YouTube’s status as the highest-reach platform nationally supports a pattern of how-to, news, and entertainment video use across age groups, including older adults. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Age-based platform specialization: Younger adults concentrate more time on TikTok/Snapchat/Instagram, while older adults concentrate more on Facebook/YouTube; this typically produces cross-posting behavior by organizations attempting to reach the full age distribution in rural communities. Source: Pew Research Center.
• News and civic content: A meaningful share of Americans report getting news on social media, with platform differences in news orientation and discussion norms. Source: Pew Research Center, Social Media and News fact sheet.

Jefferson County, Montana, maintains family- and associate-related public records primarily through state and county offices. Vital events such as births and deaths are registered through Montana vital records, administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records (Montana Office of Vital Records). These records are generally not fully public and are typically released only to eligible requesters under state rules. Adoption records are handled through the courts and state systems and are commonly restricted, with access governed by statute and court order processes rather than open inspection.

County-level records that can document family and associations include marriage licenses and recorded instruments (for example, deeds that may list spouses or heirs). These are maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder (Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder). Court filings related to family matters (such as dissolution, guardianship, or probate) are maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk of District Court (Clerk of District Court) and are subject to sealing and confidentiality rules for certain case types and protected information.

Public database availability varies. Montana’s statewide court case information is available through the Judicial Branch portal (Montana Judicial Branch), with access limited for confidential cases. In-person access is typically available at the respective county office during business hours, with certified copies issued upon request and payment of applicable fees.

Record types maintained

• Marriage licenses and marriage applications (vital record source)
  Marriage records are created when a couple applies for and is issued a marriage license, generally by the county clerk’s office.

• Divorce records (court record source)
  Divorce case files typically include the decree of dissolution (divorce decree) and related pleadings and orders. These are maintained as district court records.

• Annulments (court record source)
  Annulments are handled as district court actions (a declaration that a marriage is invalid), and the resulting orders/judgments are maintained in the district court case file.

Where records are filed and how they are accessed

• Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder (marriage records)
  Marriage licenses and associated county-level marriage documents are filed and maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder. Access is commonly provided through in-person requests and, when offered, written requests through the office’s records procedures.

• Montana 5th Judicial District Court, Jefferson County (divorce and annulment records)
  Divorce decrees, annulment judgments, and related filings are filed with the District Court serving Jefferson County. Access to non-restricted court records is generally through the clerk of the district court via in-person request and formal records request procedures. Some case-index information may be accessible through Montana’s statewide court records services where available.

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Vital Records (state-level marriage record copies)
  Montana maintains statewide vital records. Certified copies of marriage records are typically obtainable through the state Vital Records office, subject to eligibility and identification requirements under state law and agency policy.
  Reference: Montana DPHHS Vital Records

Typical information contained in the records

• Marriage license / marriage record

  • Full names of both parties (including prior/maiden names where recorded)
  • Date and place of marriage (county and/or venue)
  • Date the license was issued
  • Officiant name and authority (where recorded)
  • Witnesses (where recorded)
  • Ages/dates of birth and residences at time of application (commonly part of the application)
  • Signatures and certification/return of marriage

• Divorce decree (decree of dissolution)

  • Case caption and docket/case number
  • Names of parties
  • Date and place of decree/judgment
  • Findings and orders dissolving the marriage
  • Terms addressing property and debt distribution
  • Spousal maintenance (alimony) determinations, if applicable
  • Child-related orders where applicable (parenting plan, custody, child support), often with supporting orders and attachments in the file

• Annulment judgment/order

  • Case caption and case number
  • Names of parties
  • Date of judgment and court findings
  • Determination that the marriage is void/invalid and related relief granted
  • Related orders regarding property, support, or children where applicable

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Vital records restrictions (marriage records)
  Access to certified copies of marriage records is governed by Montana vital records laws and administrative rules. Agencies typically require identity verification and may limit who may obtain certified copies, particularly for newer records or records containing sensitive personal data.

• Court record access and confidentiality (divorce/annulment)
  District court case files are generally public records, but sealed filings and confidential information are restricted. In family law matters, courts commonly restrict public access to certain categories of information, including:

  • Documents sealed by court order
  • Sensitive personal identifiers (e.g., Social Security numbers)
  • Portions of cases involving minors, abuse/neglect, or other protected matters as required by law or court rule

• Redaction and identity protection
  Montana courts and agencies generally apply redaction requirements for protected personal identifiers in publicly accessible documents, and may limit dissemination of documents that include protected information.

Practical distinction between “vital record” and “court record”

• Marriage: maintained primarily as a vital record at the county (Clerk & Recorder) and at the state (DPHHS Vital Records) for certified copies.
• Divorce/annulment: maintained primarily as a court record in the 5th Judicial District Court case file; certified copies are typically issued by the court clerk, subject to any sealing or confidentiality orders.

Jefferson County is a largely rural county in southwestern Montana anchored by the small communities of Boulder (county seat), Whitehall, and nearby commuter-oriented areas within driving distance of the Helena and Butte–Silver Bow labor markets. The county’s settlement pattern is characterized by small towns, agricultural valleys, and dispersed residential development on larger rural parcels, with a population that is relatively small for Montana and includes both long-term residents and in‑migrants seeking lower-density housing within commuting range of regional job centers.

Education Indicators

Public schools and districts (names)

Jefferson County’s public K–12 education is primarily delivered through local school districts serving Boulder and Whitehall. Commonly referenced schools include:

• Boulder area (Jefferson High School attendance area): Jefferson High School and associated elementary/middle grades commonly operated within the Jefferson district structure.
• Whitehall area: Whitehall High School, Whitehall Middle School, and Whitehall Elementary School.

Public-school counts and official school rosters can vary by year due to grade reconfigurations and administrative reporting. The most authoritative school listing is maintained through the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) directory (districts and schools) at Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios (proxy): County-specific ratios are not consistently published in a single place for Jefferson County schools across years; a reasonable proxy is Montana’s statewide public-school student–teacher ratio, which is commonly reported in the mid‑teens (roughly ~14:1 to ~16:1) in recent years. This proxy reflects typical small-district class sizes but does not replace school-level staffing counts.
• Graduation rates: School- and district-level graduation rates are published through Montana OPI reporting (commonly as cohort graduation rates for high schools). Jefferson County high school graduation rates should be taken from OPI’s accountability/report-card outputs rather than national aggregates due to small cohort sizes.

(For official, most recent school-level values, OPI’s reporting and accountability pages provide district/school results: OPI accountability and reporting.)

Adult educational attainment (county-level)

Adult educational attainment is most reliably summarized via the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). Jefferson County typically shows:

• High school diploma or higher (age 25+): a large majority of adults.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): a smaller share than high school completion, with levels often comparable to other rural Montana counties and influenced by commuting ties to Helena/Butte.

Official county percentages are reported in ACS 5‑year estimates through the U.S. Census Bureau data portal: U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational programming is common in Montana’s small high schools (including agriculture, trades, and applied technology offerings), often supported through statewide CTE frameworks administered by OPI.
• Dual credit and college-in-the-high-school opportunities are also commonly used in Montana to expand course access in smaller districts.
• Advanced Placement (AP) availability varies by school size and staffing; small rural high schools sometimes rely more on dual credit than broad AP catalogs.

The most defensible summary is that Jefferson County schools participate in Montana’s statewide CTE and course-access structures, with program breadth varying by campus and year.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Montana public schools typically implement:

• Required emergency operations planning, visitor procedures, and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management.
• Student support services that may include school counselors, social work supports (district-dependent), and referrals to community behavioral health resources.
• Statewide school safety guidance and training resources coordinated through state education and public safety partners.

School-level staffing for counselors and safety-related programming is district-specific and best verified in district budgets, staffing reports, or OPI school report outputs; countywide aggregation is not consistently published as a single statistic.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

County unemployment rates are published monthly and annually by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Jefferson County’s unemployment rate varies seasonally and year-to-year; the most recent official figure should be taken directly from BLS LAUS county series:

• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

(Jefferson County’s small labor force can produce noticeable year-to-year swings relative to larger urban counties.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Based on typical rural Montana county employment patterns and ACS sector distributions, Jefferson County employment is generally concentrated in:

• Education and health services (public schools, clinics, regional healthcare commuting)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (local-serving commerce and tourism pass-through)
• Construction (residential construction, trades)
• Public administration (county and local government)
• Transportation/warehousing and related services (corridor location and commuting linkages)
• Agriculture and resource-linked activity in surrounding rural areas (often smaller share of wage-and-salary employment than land use suggests)

Sector shares and counts are available via ACS “Industry by occupation” tables and state workforce dashboards (see data.census.gov for ACS).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Typical occupational groupings for the county align with:

• Management/business and professional services
• Service occupations (healthcare support, food service)
• Sales and office
• Construction and extraction
• Transportation and material moving
• Production

The most comparable county-level occupational breakdown is reported in ACS (occupation tables) and can be accessed through data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

Jefferson County has strong commuter ties to nearby employment centers (notably Helena-area and Butte–Silver Bow). Typical commuting characteristics include:

• A high share of drive-alone commuting, reflecting rural settlement patterns.
• Limited transit use relative to urban counties.
• Mean commute times that are commonly in the mid‑20s to low‑30s minutes in similar exurban/rural commuter counties in Montana; the definitive county mean is reported by ACS.

Commute mode share and mean travel time are available in ACS commuting tables via data.census.gov.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

A substantial portion of employed residents typically work outside the county, consistent with exurban housing growth and limited local job base in small towns. The strongest data sources for resident-workplace flows are:

• ACS “place of work” and commuting tables (county-level)
• LEHD/OnTheMap origin-destination employment flows (for more granular patterns): U.S. Census OnTheMap

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

Jefferson County’s housing tenure is predominantly owner-occupied, typical of rural/exurban Montana counties with many single-family homes and manufactured housing on owned land. Official owner/renter shares are reported in ACS housing tables via data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value (ACS): County median owner-occupied housing value is reported in ACS and is the most consistent public statistic for Jefferson County.
• Recent trend (proxy): Like much of Montana, Jefferson County experienced price growth during 2020–2022 tied to in‑migration and tight inventory, followed by slower growth and greater price sensitivity as mortgage rates rose (2023–2025). The magnitude of change varies by neighborhood, property type (in‑town vs. rural acreage), and proximity to Helena commuting routes.

For a single consistent benchmark, use ACS median value and compare across successive ACS 5‑year releases at data.census.gov. For market-tracking time series (sales-based), county-level reports are commonly produced by state and regional housing market analysts, but availability and methods vary.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent (ACS) is the standard county measure and is published for Jefferson County in ACS. In rural Montana counties, rents are often influenced by limited multifamily stock and competition for single-family rentals, with rent levels varying substantially between Boulder/Whitehall and scattered rural properties.

Median gross rent is available through ACS on data.census.gov.

Housing types

Housing stock is dominated by:

• Single-family detached homes (in-town and rural)
• Manufactured homes (often on owned parcels)
• Smaller shares of duplexes/apartments, generally concentrated in town centers

This composition is typical for low-density Montana counties and is documented in ACS “Units in structure” tables.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

• Boulder and Whitehall town areas generally provide the closest proximity to schools, civic services, and small-town retail (grocery, basic services), with shorter in-town travel times.
• Rural residential areas provide larger lots and privacy but typically require longer drives for schools, healthcare, and shopping; winter weather can affect travel reliability on secondary roads.
• Access to regional amenities and employment is strongly shaped by highway connectivity to Helena-area and Butte-area corridors.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

Montana property taxes are administered at the county level under state assessment rules, with effective rates varying by class of property, local mill levies, and assessed value. For Jefferson County:

• Effective property tax rates are best expressed using Montana Department of Revenue assessment rules and county levy information rather than a single statewide rate.
• Typical homeowner tax bills vary widely by location (town vs. rural), home value, and local school levies.

Authoritative references include the Montana Department of Revenue (property assessment and classification) and Jefferson County levy/tax statements (county treasurer). For a comparable “typical cost” statistic, ACS reports median real estate taxes paid for owner-occupied housing, available via data.census.gov.