Park County is located in south-central Montana along the Wyoming border, extending from the Yellowstone River valley into the Absaroka Range and portions of the Beartooth Mountains. Established in 1887 and named for the nearby Yellowstone National Park, the county has long served as a gateway between Montana’s interior valleys and the Yellowstone region. It is a mid-sized county by Montana standards, with a population of roughly 17,000 residents, and is characterized by a mix of small towns, agricultural areas, and extensive public lands.

The county seat is Livingston, a historic rail and ranching community on the Yellowstone River that remains the county’s primary population and service center. Park County’s economy reflects its regional setting, with ranching, outdoor recreation and tourism, and local services playing prominent roles. The landscape ranges from open river bottoms and foothills to high-elevation wilderness terrain, supporting a culture closely tied to land use, hunting, fishing, and mountain recreation.

Park County Local Demographic Profile

Park County is in south-central Montana, bordering Yellowstone National Park to the south and anchored by Livingston along the Yellowstone River corridor. The county’s location makes it part of the Yellowstone region of Montana.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Park County, Montana, Park County had:

  • Population (2023 estimate): 17,892
  • Population (2020 Census): 16,766

Age & Gender

County-level age and sex details are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in the American Community Survey (ACS). The most direct county profile tables are available via data.census.gov (Park County, MT), including:

  • Age distribution (selected age groups): Available in ACS profile tables (e.g., “Age and Sex” / DP05).
  • Gender ratio (male/female shares): Available in ACS profile tables (e.g., DP05).

A single consolidated age-distribution and male-to-female ratio value is not provided on the QuickFacts summary for Park County; the ACS tables on data.census.gov are the authoritative county-level source for these measures.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Park County, Montana (ACS-based shares), the county’s racial and ethnic composition includes the following reported categories:

  • 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 percentages for the county; detailed race/ethnicity breakdowns and counts by category are available via data.census.gov for Park County, MT.

Household & Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Park County, Montana, the county’s household and housing indicators are reported at the county level, including:

  • Households (count)
  • Owner-occupied housing rate
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units
  • Median selected monthly owner costs (with and without a mortgage)
  • Median gross rent
  • Building permits and other housing stock indicators (where available in the QuickFacts county table)

For local government context and planning information, visit the Park County official website.

Email Usage

Park County, Montana’s large land area, mountainous terrain, and low population density shape digital communication by increasing last‑mile network costs and leaving some households reliant on slower or less reliable connections.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published, so email access trends are inferred from proxy indicators such as broadband subscriptions, computer availability, and demographic structure from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov). These indicators track the practical ability to use email (devices plus internet service).

Digital access indicators in recent American Community Survey profiles for Park County include household broadband subscription and computer ownership; both are standard measures used to assess readiness for online services, including email (American Community Survey).

Age distribution influences adoption because older populations tend to have lower rates of home internet use and digital account uptake; Park County’s age structure can be reviewed via Park County, MT ACS profile tables. Gender distribution is generally less predictive of email access than age and household connectivity; sex-by-age tables in the same profile provide context.

Connectivity limitations reflect rural topography and dispersed settlement patterns documented in Montana broadband planning resources such as the Montana Broadband Office.

Mobile Phone Usage

Park County, Montana is located in south-central Montana and includes the city of Livingston and large areas of mountainous and valley terrain along the Yellowstone River, bordering the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park. Much of the county is rural with relatively low population density outside Livingston, and the combination of long distances, rugged terrain (mountain ranges, river corridors), and federally managed lands influences where cellular networks can be deployed and how reliably signals propagate.

Scope and data limitations (county-level vs broader geographies)

County-specific statistics for mobile device ownership, mobile-only households, and mobile internet use are often published at state or multi-county survey levels rather than for a single county. As a result:

  • Network availability can be described at fine geographic resolution using federal coverage datasets.
  • Household adoption and usage is more reliably reported for Montana statewide (or for larger survey geographies) than for Park County alone.

Primary public sources for distinguishing availability from adoption include the FCC’s broadband and mobile coverage programs and the U.S. Census Bureau’s household technology tables. See the FCC’s program pages and data tools via the FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) and the Census household technology/Computer & Internet resources via Census.gov (American Community Survey). Montana’s statewide planning context is also summarized by the Montana State Broadband Office.

Network availability in Park County (coverage, not adoption)

Network availability describes where providers report service and where modeled measurements indicate service may exist; it does not measure whether residents subscribe, carry phones, or experience consistent performance indoors.

4G LTE availability (general pattern)

  • 4G LTE is generally the most widely available mobile network layer in rural Montana counties, with stronger availability along population centers and highway corridors and weaker availability in mountainous areas, deep valleys, and remote public lands.
  • In Park County, the most consistent coverage typically aligns with the Livingston area and major transportation routes (notably the Interstate corridor and other primary highways), while coverage becomes more fragmented in mountainous terrain and less-traveled areas.

Public reference for reported provider coverage is available through the FCC’s broadband maps and underlying filings: FCC National Broadband Map (mobile coverage layers).

5G availability (general pattern)

  • 5G availability in rural counties is typically concentrated near towns and higher-traffic corridors and is less geographically extensive than 4G LTE. Where present, it may include lower-band 5G with broader reach but not necessarily large capacity increases in all locations.
  • County-level, provider-specific 5G footprints vary over time and by carrier reporting; the authoritative public reference for current reported availability is the FCC map rather than static county summaries.

Use the FCC’s map to distinguish 5G reported coverage from 4G LTE layers: FCC National Broadband Map (mobile availability).

Important distinction: reported availability vs real-world experience

  • FCC availability is based on provider submissions and standardized modeling/collection; it is useful for comparing areas but does not guarantee indoor coverage, consistent throughput, or performance in complex terrain.
  • Mountainous topography can produce shadowing, dead zones, and strong variability across short distances, particularly away from towers and in narrow valleys.

Household adoption and “mobile penetration” indicators (adoption, not availability)

“Penetration” can mean different things (device ownership, subscriptions per capita, smartphone ownership, or mobile-only households). For Park County specifically, publicly released, high-confidence county tables for smartphone ownership are limited. The most consistent public indicators are:

  • Household internet subscription measures (including cellular data plans) from the Census (generally most reliable at state and larger geographies; county detail may be limited by sampling and table availability).
  • Mobile-only household patterns are typically available at national/state levels through surveys and some Census-derived products, but not consistently published as single-county headline measures.

Authoritative sources to use for adoption measures include:

Clear distinction: FCC maps describe where mobile broadband is reported to exist (availability). Census/ACS-type sources describe whether households subscribe to internet service types (adoption). These measures are not interchangeable.

Mobile internet usage patterns (what is measurable)

County-specific “usage patterns” (hours used, primary access method, app usage) are rarely available from public statistical releases. What is typically measurable publicly is the type of access subscribed to at the household level (e.g., cellular data plan as an internet subscription category) and the generation of network available (4G/5G).

For Park County:

  • 4G LTE is the baseline mobile broadband layer across most populated areas and travel corridors.
  • 5G presence is more localized and best verified using the FCC mobile availability layers (carrier-by-carrier).
    Reference: FCC National Broadband Map.

Common device types (smartphones vs other devices)

Direct county-level device-type breakdowns (smartphone vs feature phone vs tablet-only) are not commonly published as official county statistics. The most defensible statements at county scale are structural:

  • Mobile connectivity in the U.S. is predominantly delivered through smartphones, with additional mobile-capable devices including tablets, in-vehicle modems, and fixed wireless/cellular routers.
  • Public datasets that clearly separate device categories at fine geography are limited; therefore, Park County-specific proportions cannot be stated definitively from standard county releases.

For device ownership and household computing context, the best public statistical entry points remain Census household technology/internet tables, generally at broader geographies: Census.gov (ACS).

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Terrain, land use, and settlement patterns (connectivity constraints)

  • Mountainous terrain and valleys affect line-of-sight and radio propagation, increasing the likelihood of coverage gaps outside developed corridors.
  • Dispersed rural residences raise per-user infrastructure costs and reduce tower density compared with urban areas.
  • Large tracts of public land and proximity to protected areas can complicate siting and backhaul deployment, contributing to uneven coverage.

Transportation corridors and population nodes (where networks concentrate)

  • Cellular networks in rural counties commonly align with towns and highway corridors, supporting commuting, logistics, and tourism travel patterns.
  • Livingston, as the principal population center, typically anchors the densest local network infrastructure relative to the rest of the county.

Population density and indoor coverage considerations (adoption vs usability)

  • Lower density can reduce competitive pressure and network redundancy, which may affect service consistency in remote areas.
  • Indoor coverage can differ substantially from outdoor modeled coverage; mountainous terrain and building materials can further reduce signal strength.

Practical, authoritative references for Park County

Summary: availability vs adoption in Park County

  • Availability: 4G LTE is generally the most extensive network layer; 5G is typically more localized. The FCC map is the primary public tool for current, reported coverage at fine geographic detail.
    Source: FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Adoption: Publicly released, definitive Park County-only statistics for smartphone ownership and mobile-only reliance are limited; household internet subscription measures are better supported at statewide or larger survey geographies using Census instruments.
    Source: Census.gov (ACS).

Social Media Trends

Park County is in south‑central Montana along the Yellowstone River corridor, with Livingston as the county seat and a major gateway role for travel and tourism linked to Yellowstone National Park. The county’s mix of a small urban hub (Livingston), dispersed rural communities, outdoor recreation, and a sizable visitor economy tends to support social media use for local news, events, small business marketing, community coordination, and travel/outdoors content.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

  • County-specific social media penetration figures are not published in major national datasets at the county level; the most reliable benchmarks come from national surveys.
  • Nationally, about seven-in-ten U.S. adults use social media (roughly 70%+), a useful baseline for Park County given similar broadband/mobile access patterns across much of Montana’s populated corridors. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
  • For Montana context, statewide digital access indicators (which often correlate with social media participation) can be referenced via the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (internet subscription and device access tables), though these are not direct measures of “active social media use.”

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Patterns in Park County are typically aligned with national age gradients reported by Pew:

  • Highest usage: adults 18–29 and 30–49 show the highest social media adoption and multi-platform use. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
  • Moderate usage: adults 50–64 participate at lower but still substantial rates.
  • Lowest usage: adults 65+ have the lowest overall social media usage, though adoption has risen over time.
  • Platform-by-age: younger adults over-index on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat; older adults over-index on Facebook and YouTube. Source: Pew Research Center platform-specific findings.

Gender breakdown

  • Across major platforms, gender skews vary more by platform than by overall social media adoption. Pew reports:
    • Women are more likely than men to use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and to participate in certain forms of social sharing.
    • Men are more likely than women to use some discussion- or forum-oriented spaces, and usage is often closer to parity on YouTube.
    • These are national patterns commonly used to approximate local composition where county-level platform gender data are unavailable. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

County-level platform shares are not reliably published; the most cited, comparable percentages are national adult usage rates from Pew (useful as directional indicators for Park County):

  • YouTube: used by a large majority of U.S. adults (commonly reported in the 80%+ range in recent Pew updates).
  • Facebook: used by a substantial share of U.S. adults (often reported around the 60%+ range in recent Pew updates).
  • Instagram: used by roughly 40%+ of U.S. adults.
  • Pinterest: used by roughly 30%+ of U.S. adults.
  • TikTok: used by roughly 30%+ of U.S. adults, with strong concentration among younger adults.
  • LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Snapchat, Reddit, WhatsApp: smaller overall adult shares, with distinct age and interest skews. Source for platform percentages and demographics: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

  • Community information and events: In smaller counties with a dominant county seat (Livingston) and dispersed rural areas, Facebook groups/pages and local organization accounts typically serve as high-visibility channels for announcements, school and civic updates, and event promotion; this aligns with Facebook’s broad reach among adults nationally. Source: Pew Research Center usage patterns by platform.
  • Video-first consumption: YouTube functions as a cross-age default for how-to content, local interest videos, outdoor/recreation media, and news clips; Pew consistently shows YouTube as the highest-reach platform among U.S. adults. Source: Pew Research Center.
  • Tourism and outdoor identity content: Counties with strong recreation and visitor economies tend to show heavier Instagram/TikTok-style visual storytelling for landscapes, wildlife, fly-fishing, hiking, and hospitality content; nationally, these platforms skew younger and are engagement-intensive (short-form video, frequent sessions). Source: Pew Research Center.
  • Professional and small business use: Facebook and Instagram commonly support local retail, guides/outfitters, lodging, and restaurants; LinkedIn is typically narrower and concentrated among professional occupations. Source: Pew Research Center.
  • Engagement distribution: National research consistently finds that a minority of users generate a disproportionate share of posts, while most users are lighter contributors (“lurkers”), affecting how local information spreads (high reliance on a few active admins/creators). Source: Pew Research Center report on social media use and engagement.

Family & Associates Records

Park County, Montana maintains limited “family” records at the county level. Marriage licenses and some court-related family matters (such as name changes, probate/guardianship filings, and certain civil cases) are filed with the Park County Clerk of District Court and may be viewed through in-person records requests and, where available, electronic case access. The county also records real property documents that can help establish family associations (deeds, transfers, liens) through the Clerk & Recorder.

Birth and death certificates are Montana vital records administered by the state through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Vital Records: Montana DPHHS Vital Records. Adoption records are generally managed through the courts/state systems and are typically restricted.

Public databases commonly used for associate-related research include the Montana Judicial Branch “CourtVIEW” docket portal for many case types: Montana Judicial Branch. Park County offices and contact points are listed through the county website, including Clerk of District Court and Clerk & Recorder: Park County, Montana (Official Website).

Access occurs through online state portals (vital records and statewide dockets) and in-person requests at county offices. Privacy limits apply to certified vital records, sealed adoption matters, and certain protected court filings; public access generally covers non-confidential recorded documents and open court case information.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

  • Marriage records (licenses and certificates/returns)

    • In Montana, marriages are documented through a marriage license issued by a county office and a completed return/certificate recorded after the ceremony is performed.
    • Park County maintains local records for licenses issued in the county and the recorded returns for marriages performed under those licenses.

  • Divorce records (decrees and case files)

    • Divorce actions are civil court cases. The official outcome is a Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (and related final orders), maintained as part of the district court case record.

  • Annulments

    • Annulments are also handled as civil court matters (a petition to declare a marriage invalid). The resulting judgment/decree is maintained in the court case record similarly to divorce.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

  • Marriage records

    • Filed/recorded locally: Park County marriage licenses and recorded returns are maintained by the Park County Clerk and Recorder (the county office responsible for recording vital and property-related instruments and maintaining county-level records).
    • Statewide vital records: Montana maintains statewide vital records through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Vital Records. State-certified copies are typically obtained through the state vital records office.
    • Access methods: Access commonly includes in-person requests at the county office and requests for certified copies through the appropriate custodian (county for local recorded documents; state for state-certified vital records copies). Availability of online indexes varies by provider and record type.

  • Divorce and annulment records

    • Filed in court: Divorce and annulment cases in Park County are filed with the District Court serving Park County (within Montana’s judicial district structure). The court maintains the official case register/docket, pleadings, orders, and final decrees.
    • Access methods: Copies are obtained from the Clerk of District Court. Public access to registers of actions and nonconfidential filings may be available at the courthouse and through Montana’s court record access systems, subject to redactions and confidentiality rules.

Typical information included in these records

  • Marriage licenses / marriage records

    • Full names of the parties
    • Date and place of marriage (and/or license issuance date and location)
    • Ages/birth information as reported at application (varies by form and time period)
    • Residence addresses at time of application (often included)
    • Officiant name and authority, and date of ceremony (on the completed return)
    • Witness information (when collected on the return)
    • Recording details (document number/book/page or electronic recording reference)

  • Divorce decrees / case records

    • Names of parties and case number
    • Date of filing and date of final decree
    • Findings and orders on legal status of the marriage
    • Orders addressing property division, allocation of debts, and restoration of former name (when ordered)
    • Parenting plan/custody and child support provisions, and spousal maintenance (when applicable)
    • Related orders (temporary orders, amendments, enforcement actions) in the case file

  • Annulment judgments / case records

    • Names of parties and case number
    • Legal basis for annulment and court findings
    • Judgment declaring the marriage invalid (and related orders addressing property/children where applicable)
    • Dates of filing and judgment, and related procedural orders

Privacy or legal restrictions

  • Marriage records

    • Marriage records are generally treated as vital records for certified-copy purposes. Access to certified copies is governed by Montana vital records laws and administrative rules, which limit issuance to eligible requestors and require identity verification.
    • Public access to noncertified informational copies or recorded documents is subject to the custodian’s rules and Montana public records law, with redaction of protected information where required.

  • Divorce and annulment court records

    • Court case files are generally public, but confidentiality protections apply to specific categories of information and filings. Common restrictions include:
      • Confidential personal identifiers (e.g., Social Security numbers, financial account numbers) subject to redaction requirements.
      • Sealed records or sealed portions of records by court order.
      • Certain family-law documents and information involving minors, abuse/neglect, or protected parties, which may be restricted or sealed under Montana law and court rules.
    • Even when a case is public, access to particular documents may be limited to protect privacy and safety interests, and copies may be provided with required redactions.

Primary custodians (Park County and Montana)

Education, Employment and Housing

Park County is in south‑central Montana along the Yellowstone River corridor, anchored by Livingston and bordering Yellowstone National Park to the south. The county’s population is about 17,000–18,000 (recent American Community Survey estimates), with a mix of a small micropolitan center (Livingston), smaller towns (e.g., Wilsall, Clyde Park), and large rural areas tied to ranching, outdoor recreation, and tourism-driven activity associated with the Greater Yellowstone region.

Education Indicators

Public schools (counts and names)

Park County’s public K–12 system is primarily served by four school districts, with major schools including:

  • Livingston Public Schools: Park High School, Park Junior High School, and Livingston area elementary schools (district-operated).
  • Wilsall School District: Wilsall School (K–12 in a single campus model typical of small districts).
  • Clyde Park School District: Clyde Park School (small elementary program; secondary often involves cooperative arrangements depending on year).
  • Arrowhead School District: Arrowhead School (small rural K–8 model; secondary commonly involves out-of-district attendance).

A consolidated, authoritative roster is published through the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) directory (Montana Office of Public Instruction) and district listings.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: District and school ratios vary widely due to Park County’s mix of a larger district (Livingston) and very small rural schools; countywide ratios typically track Montana’s overall public school average (roughly mid‑teens students per teacher). School-level ratios are reported in OPI school report cards and federal CCD-style summaries.
  • Graduation rates: Park High School’s graduation rate is reported annually via OPI and commonly aligns near the Montana statewide range (generally mid‑80% to around 90% in recent years), with year-to-year variation. For the most current Park High School figure and methodology, use OPI’s accountability/report-card publications (OPI accountability and school report information).

Note: Countywide aggregated student–teacher ratios and graduation rates are not always published as a single “Park County” statistic; the most recent definitive figures are released by district/school in OPI reporting.

Adult educational attainment (county residents)

Using recent U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates for Park County (adults age 25+):

  • High school diploma or higher: approximately 94–96%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: approximately 40–45%

These levels are relatively high for Montana, reflecting in‑migration of professionals and retirees as well as a service/recreation economy. Source tables are available through the Census Bureau’s county profiles (data.census.gov).

Notable academic programs (STEM, CTE, AP)

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): Montana public high schools commonly provide CTE pathways (e.g., trades, business, agriculture, family and consumer sciences). Livingston’s secondary programs generally include CTE offerings consistent with Montana graduation requirements and regional labor needs (construction trades, equipment operation, health-related pathways, and business/IT).
  • Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: Park High School has historically offered advanced coursework, including AP and/or dual-credit options depending on staffing and enrollment; these offerings are typically documented in school course catalogs and OPI reporting where applicable.
  • STEM: STEM course access is strongest in Livingston (larger enrollment supports broader math/science sequences). Smaller rural schools often provide core STEM instruction with more limited elective breadth.

Note: Specific program inventories change with staffing and enrollment; the definitive, most recent lists are maintained by each district and reflected in OPI documentation.

School safety measures and counseling resources

  • Safety: Montana districts generally use standard safety practices such as controlled entry procedures, visitor check‑in, emergency drills, and coordination with local law enforcement and county emergency management. Livingston schools also typically employ layered safety measures appropriate for a larger campus environment.
  • Student support: Public schools in the county typically provide school counseling services and may also provide school social work, behavioral supports, and referrals to community mental health providers; the breadth of services is generally greater in Livingston than in the smallest rural schools.

Because safety protocols and counseling staffing are operational details that can change, the most reliable current descriptions are maintained in district board policies and school handbooks.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

Park County’s unemployment rate is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS) and Montana labor market dashboards. Recent annual averages have generally been low (roughly 2–4%), with seasonality tied to tourism and construction. The most recent official county series is available through the BLS and Montana reports (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).

Major industries and employment sectors

The county’s employment base reflects:

  • Health care and social assistance
  • Educational services
  • Retail trade
  • Accommodation and food services (tourism gateway and seasonal demand)
  • Construction (housing growth, second homes, and renovation activity)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services and real estate (outsourced work, small firms, and property activity)
  • Agriculture/ranching remains a visible land-use and cultural sector but is a smaller share of wage-and-salary jobs than service sectors.

These sector patterns align with ACS industry-of-employment distributions and Montana Department of Labor & Industry regional profiles.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Common occupational groups (ACS patterns for similar Montana micropolitan/recreation counties) include:

  • Management, business, and financial
  • Sales and office
  • Service occupations (food service, hospitality, personal services)
  • Construction, extraction, and maintenance
  • Education, training, and library
  • Healthcare practitioners and support

Park County’s mix is shaped by Livingston’s role as a service center plus tourism-related service work and construction trades supporting housing demand.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Mean commute time is typically in the low‑to‑mid 20‑minute range for Park County residents (ACS commute-time measures).
  • Mode: The dominant mode is driving alone, with smaller shares carpooling and a limited share working from home. Remote work has increased relative to pre‑2020 levels in many Montana counties, including Park, but varies by year and dataset.

Primary commuting corridors include U.S. 89 and I‑90 connectivity through Livingston, with routine travel to job sites in the county and to nearby counties.

Local employment vs. out‑of‑county work

A meaningful share of residents work outside Park County, reflecting:

  • Commuting to Gallatin County (Bozeman area) for professional, education, and health-sector jobs
  • Cross-county travel for construction and seasonal work At the same time, Livingston and local service employers retain a substantial in‑county workforce. The most direct measure is the Census “county-to-county commuting flows” and ACS place-of-work patterns (LEHD OnTheMap commuting data).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

ACS tenure estimates for Park County generally show:

  • Homeownership: approximately 65–75%
  • Renter-occupied: approximately 25–35%

Livingston has a higher renter share than the county’s rural areas due to apartment and small-lot housing stock.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median owner-occupied home value (ACS) is generally in the mid‑$400,000s to $600,000s range in recent 5‑year estimates, reflecting rapid appreciation in the Greater Yellowstone region.
  • Trend: Values rose sharply from 2020–2022, with a more mixed pattern thereafter (slower growth and more variability), consistent with broader Montana market conditions and interest-rate effects.

For the most recent medians, ACS table updates are accessible via data.census.gov. Market trend context is also visible in regional housing reports (methodologies vary, so ACS provides the most standardized county comparison).

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent (ACS) typically falls around $1,000–$1,400 per month in recent estimates, with Livingston generally at the higher end compared with outlying rural areas.
  • Seasonal and short-term rental pressure associated with tourism can tighten long-term rental supply, contributing to higher effective rents than older contract rents captured in surveys.

Types of housing

Park County’s housing stock is characterized by:

  • Single-family detached homes as the dominant type countywide
  • Small multifamily and apartments concentrated in Livingston
  • Manufactured housing present in some pockets
  • Rural lots and ranch properties outside town, including larger parcels and scattered homes along river valleys and foothills

Second homes and part-time occupancy occur in scenic areas and near recreation access.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

  • Livingston: Most neighborhoods have relatively short access to schools, parks, healthcare clinics, grocery retail, and civic services; walkability varies by location, with the central area offering the most proximity.
  • Rural areas (e.g., Paradise Valley and outlying communities): Homes are more dispersed; access to schools and full services generally involves longer driving distances, with daily needs often met in Livingston and, for some residents, in Bozeman.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Montana property taxation uses taxable value calculations by property class and local mill levies, so effective rates vary by location and property type. In Park County:

  • Effective property tax rates commonly fall around ~0.7% to ~1.1% of market value per year as a broad proxy for owner-occupied residential property, with meaningful variation by jurisdiction and assessed characteristics.
  • A typical homeowner cost is therefore often in the low‑to‑mid thousands of dollars annually, depending on home value and local levies.

Definitive, current levy and tax calculation details are published by the Montana Department of Revenue (Montana Department of Revenue) and Park County’s assessment/treasurer resources.

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Montana