Silver Bow County

Silver Bow County is located in southwestern Montana, centered on the Butte area along the Continental Divide. Established in 1881 during Montana’s mining boom, it developed as a major copper-producing region and became closely associated with organized labor and industrial-era immigration. Today it is one of Montana’s smaller counties by area but remains mid-sized by population, with roughly 34,000 residents. The county is more urbanized than much of the state, anchored by the consolidated city-county government of Butte–Silver Bow. Its economy reflects a mix of government services, education, healthcare, and a legacy of mining and environmental remediation. The landscape includes mountainous terrain, high-elevation valleys, and headwaters associated with the Clark Fork watershed. Cultural identity is shaped by Butte’s historic neighborhoods, mining-era architecture, and longstanding community traditions. The county seat is Butte.

Silver Bow County is located in southwestern Montana and is coextensive with the consolidated City and County of Butte–Silver Bow, a historic mining and regional service center. The county lies along the Interstate 90 corridor and serves as a population and employment hub for surrounding rural areas.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Silver Bow County, Montana, the county’s population was 34,200 (2020 Census).

Age & Gender

Age and sex (2020 Census) data are published by the U.S. Census Bureau through data.census.gov (Decennial Census, Redistricting/PL 94-171 and related demographic profiles). A consolidated county-level age-distribution table is not provided in the Census Bureau QuickFacts page for Silver Bow County; as a result, exact age-bracket percentages are not reported here from a single county profile table.

Sex composition (commonly reported by the Census Bureau) is available via the county profile tables on data.census.gov, but it is not reproduced here without a single, citable county summary table specifying the exact male/female counts and shares.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino origin statistics for Silver Bow County are available from the U.S. Census Bureau through QuickFacts and detailed tables on data.census.gov. QuickFacts provides a standardized county snapshot of major race categories and Hispanic/Latino origin; detailed race categories and multiracial breakdowns are available in decennial census tables on data.census.gov.

Household & Housing Data

Core household and housing indicators for Silver Bow County (including households, owner-occupied housing rate, median value, and related measures) are published by the U.S. Census Bureau on the county’s QuickFacts profile, with additional detail in American Community Survey (ACS) tables on data.census.gov.

For local government and planning resources, visit the Butte–Silver Bow (City–County) official website.

Silver Bow County (Butte), a mountainous county with relatively concentrated population in and around Butte, relies on a mix of legacy and modern telecom infrastructure; terrain and distance from major metro backbones can constrain consistent high-speed connectivity, influencing how reliably residents access email.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published, so email access trends are inferred from digital-access proxies such as broadband and device availability reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) (American Community Survey). Key indicators include the county’s shares of households with broadband internet subscriptions and with a computer, both strongly associated with regular email use.

Age structure also affects adoption: ACS age distributions for Silver Bow County (older vs. working-age vs. youth shares) provide a proxy for likely differences in email reliance, since older populations typically show lower overall adoption of some online services and may depend more on assisted access.

Gender composition from ACS is generally close to balanced and is less predictive of email access than broadband/device availability.

Connectivity limitations are reflected in ACS-reported “no internet subscription” rates and in broader Montana rural-infrastructure constraints documented by the Montana Broadband Program.

Silver Bow County is located in southwest Montana and is anchored by the City of Butte, the county seat. Unlike many Montana counties, it is relatively urbanized and compact, with most residents concentrated in and around Butte rather than dispersed across large rural areas. The county sits at high elevation in mountainous terrain associated with the Continental Divide region, and terrain-driven line-of-sight constraints can affect radio propagation, producing localized coverage variability even where overall service availability is broad.

Network availability (coverage) vs. adoption (use)

Network availability describes where mobile providers report service and what technologies are deployed (2G/3G legacy, LTE/4G, 5G).
Adoption describes whether residents and households actually subscribe to mobile service and use mobile broadband (often influenced by income, age, and housing stability). These measures are not interchangeable; strong reported coverage can coexist with affordability barriers or preference for wireline connections in some households.

Mobile penetration and access indicators (adoption)

County-specific “mobile penetration” is not typically published as a single statistic. The most comparable county-level adoption indicators generally come from household survey products and administrative broadband datasets, which measure device access and subscriptions rather than “phones per person.”

• Household internet subscription and device access (county-level): The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) publishes county estimates for internet subscription types and device ownership categories (including cellular data plans and smartphones). These are the primary public indicators for distinguishing household adoption of mobile broadband from network coverage. Use the county profile and detailed tables via Census.gov data tables and the ACS 5-year estimates for Silver Bow County, Montana.
• Broadband subscription context (state/county program reporting): Montana’s statewide broadband planning materials sometimes summarize subscription and access constraints at regional levels and reference county conditions. Program and planning documents are available through the Montana State Broadband Office (digital equity and broadband planning resources).

Limitations: Publicly available, consistently updated county-level statistics that isolate “mobile phone ownership” (as distinct from smartphone ownership, cellular data plan subscription, or any internet subscription) are limited. ACS provides the most standardized county-level indicators but is survey-based and subject to margins of error.

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G LTE and 5G availability)

Reported 4G LTE coverage

• LTE/4G availability in Silver Bow County is generally expected to be widespread along the Butte urban area and major transportation corridors, with potential gaps in mountainous or obstructed areas. The most authoritative public source for provider-reported coverage is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC).
• Coverage can be reviewed on the FCC’s mapping platform using the FCC National Broadband Map, which includes mobile broadband availability by technology and provider. The map distinguishes outdoor/vehicle coverage reporting and provides location-based views.

Reported 5G availability

• 5G availability is typically concentrated in population centers and higher-traffic corridors. In Silver Bow County, the densest and most likely 5G service area is the Butte urbanized area, with reduced likelihood in rugged terrain and less populated areas due to the higher density of sites typically needed for stronger 5G performance.
• The FCC BDC remains the standardized source for provider-reported 5G coverage and is accessible through the FCC National Broadband Map.

Limitations: The FCC map is based on provider-submitted availability and is not a direct measure of experienced speeds, indoor reception, congestion, or affordability. Independent drive testing and crowdsourced speed results are not consistently available as official countywide statistics.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Smartphones as the primary mobile endpoint: In U.S. counties, smartphones generally represent the dominant mobile device type for consumer connectivity. County-level measurement of “smartphone vs. feature phone” is not commonly published in a single official dataset.
• Census device categories (county-level): ACS includes household device types such as “smartphone,” “tablet or other portable wireless computer,” and “desktop/laptop.” These tables can be used to characterize the prevalence of smartphones relative to other computing devices in Silver Bow County, but they measure household access rather than individual ownership. Reference the relevant device and subscription tables via Census.gov.
• Institutional and industrial devices: Beyond consumer smartphones, counties with logistics, utilities, and public safety operations may use mobile routers, modems, and specialized devices. Public countywide counts for these device categories are not typically available.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Settlement pattern and population concentration

• Silver Bow County’s population is concentrated around Butte, which supports denser cell site placement and typically improves network availability compared with more sparsely populated Montana counties. Basic population and housing density context is available from Census QuickFacts (select Silver Bow County, Montana).

Terrain and elevation

• Mountainous topography and high elevation can create coverage shadows, especially in canyons, behind ridgelines, and in areas distant from towers. This factor primarily affects network availability and signal quality rather than adoption, though persistent reception issues can influence household reliance on alternative connectivity (wireline where available).

Socioeconomic factors (affordability and subscription decisions)

• Household income distribution, age structure, and housing stability can influence adoption (whether a household maintains a mobile data plan, relies on mobile-only internet, or uses bundled fixed service). County-level demographic and economic indicators used for this context are available through Census.gov and Census QuickFacts.
• Digital equity planning materials at the state level may describe affordability barriers, device access, and skills gaps that affect adoption; reference resources from the Montana State Broadband Office.

Transportation corridors and land use

• Connectivity tends to be strongest near highways and developed areas where towers can be sited with power and backhaul access. Less developed or mountainous land uses can reduce feasible tower locations, which affects availability more than adoption.

Summary of what is measurable at county level

• Best sources for availability (4G/5G): FCC National Broadband Map (provider-reported mobile broadband availability by technology/provider).
• Best sources for adoption (household device and subscription measures): Census.gov (ACS 5-year) device and internet subscription tables for Silver Bow County.
• Key limitation: County-level, official statistics that directly report “mobile phone penetration” or smartphone share of all phones are limited; available public measures are typically household-based (ACS) or coverage-based (FCC) and should be interpreted as adoption vs. availability, respectively.

Silver Bow County is in southwestern Montana and is anchored by Butte, a historic mining and rail hub with a strong labor heritage and regional service economy. The county’s population is relatively small and older than many U.S. metros, and its mix of legacy industries, higher education presence nearby, and dispersed rural surroundings tends to produce social media use patterns similar to other non-metro Rocky Mountain communities: broad adoption overall, with heavier intensity among younger adults and platform-specific differences by age and gender.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• Overall social media use (all adults): National benchmarks indicate roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media, based on Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet. County-specific penetration is not routinely published by major public survey programs; Silver Bow County is most reliably characterized using these statewide/rural-adjacent benchmarks.
• Smartphone access (key enabler of social use): About 9 in 10 U.S. adults own a smartphone (an important proxy for daily social access), per Pew Research Center’s Mobile Fact Sheet.
• Local interpretive note: Given Silver Bow County’s age structure (older-leaning relative to the U.S.) and rural context, overall penetration is typically near national average but modestly lower than large urban counties, with a larger share of residents using Facebook and YouTube versus youth-skewed platforms.

Age group trends (who uses social most)

Pew’s national age gradients generally apply in counties like Silver Bow:

• Highest use: Ages 18–29 show the highest overall social media participation and the highest multi-platform use, per Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet.
• Middle use: Ages 30–49 remain high-use, with strong participation across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Lower use but still substantial: Ages 50–64 use social at majority levels; 65+ is the lowest-using group but has grown steadily over the past decade (especially on Facebook and YouTube).

Gender breakdown

National survey patterns suggest:

• Women are more likely than men to use certain platforms (notably Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest), while
• Men are more likely than women to use some discussion- and video-centric platforms in certain years (platform-by-platform differences vary), as summarized in Pew Research Center’s platform demographic tables. These differences commonly appear in smaller counties as well, with Facebook groups and local-interest pages tending to skew female in participation and posting frequency.

Most-used platforms (with percentages where available)

Pew’s U.S. adult usage rates provide the most consistent public percentages; these are commonly used as proxies where local measurement is unavailable:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
  (Percentages reported by Pew Research Center; figures are periodically updated.)

Local pattern typically observed in similar counties: Facebook and YouTube tend to over-index versus highly urban counties, while LinkedIn and X tend to under-index due to occupational mix and lower concentration of large corporate/professional-office employment.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

• Community information and local events: Facebook remains a primary channel for local announcements, community discussion, and event coordination (city/county updates, school and sports information, neighborhood topics). This aligns with Facebook’s broad adult reach documented by Pew Research Center.
• Video-first consumption: High YouTube reach supports “how-to,” local-interest, sports, and news-adjacent viewing patterns; YouTube is also used across age groups more evenly than most platforms (per Pew’s platform demographics).
• Younger adult mix: Among younger adults, Instagram and TikTok are more central for entertainment and creator-led content, while Snapchat use tends to cluster most strongly in younger cohorts (platform skew shown in Pew’s demographic tables).
• News and civic exposure: Social platforms function as secondary news distribution for many adults nationally; polarization and trust concerns influence engagement styles (more passive scrolling, selective sharing) as covered in Pew’s broader internet and news research, including Pew Research Center’s Journalism & Media studies.
• Engagement style in smaller communities: Local audiences commonly exhibit higher interaction with geographically relevant posts (local alerts, closures, fundraisers, community debates) and lower interaction with brand-first content compared with large metros, reflecting the prominence of place-based networks and groups on Facebook.

Silver Bow County family and associate-related records include vital events and court filings. Birth and death certificates for events in Montana are registered at the state level through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Office of Vital Records; Silver Bow County does not serve as the primary custodian for certified copies. Certified vital records are requested online through the state’s VitalChek portal linked from Montana DPHHS Vital Records.

Adoption records are generally handled through the court system and are commonly restricted; adoption case files are typically not open to public inspection. Family relationship information may also appear in district court cases such as dissolution of marriage, parenting plans, guardianships, and name changes. Silver Bow County court records are accessible through the local district court clerk for in-person requests, and statewide case access is available via the Montana Judicial Branch’s Clerk of Court resources and the Montana Court Records Search.

Property-related associate information (owners, transfers, some liens) is maintained by the county clerk and recorder. Recorded documents are commonly available in person and, in many counties, through paid or subscription-based index systems; county contact points are listed at Silver Bow County Clerk & Recorder.

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to vital records, adoption files, and certain family court documents (sealed records, protected party information).

Types of records available

• Marriage licenses and marriage certificates (Silver Bow County)
  • Marriage licensing is handled at the county level. The license application and issued license are county records; proof of marriage is generally reflected through the returned, recorded marriage certificate/record.
• Divorce decrees (Silver Bow County)
  • Divorce records are maintained as part of the civil case file in the local district court. The final judgment is typically titled Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (or similar).
• Annulments
  • Annulments are adjudicated through the district court and maintained as a civil case file. Final orders may be titled Decree of Annulment or similar.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records

  • Filed/maintained by: Silver Bow County Clerk of Court (often functioning as the county’s clerk/recorder for recorded instruments and vital-related recordings in the consolidated city-county structure).
  • Access methods (typical):
    • In-person requests at the Clerk of Court office for copies/certified copies.
    • Written/mail requests are commonly accepted by Montana counties; requirements typically include identification and fees.
    • Some Montana counties provide online search tools or recorded document indexes; availability varies by office and record type.
  • State-level alternative: Montana has a statewide vital records program through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) that issues certified copies of vital records under state rules.
    • DPHHS Vital Records: https://dphhs.mt.gov/

• Divorce and annulment records

  • Filed/maintained by: Montana Fourth Judicial District Court (Silver Bow County/Butte), with the Clerk of District Court maintaining the official case file and docket.
  • Access methods (typical):
    • Public access to court registers/dockets and case files at the clerk’s office, subject to redactions and confidential-case rules.
    • Some docket information may be available through Montana’s court information systems or courthouse terminals; document images and access levels vary.
    • Certified copies of decrees and other orders are obtained from the Clerk of District Court, usually for a fee.

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license/record

  • Full legal names of spouses (including prior names where applicable)
  • Date and place of marriage
  • Age/date of birth, residence, and sometimes birthplace
  • Names of officiant and witnesses
  • License issuance date and license number
  • Recording/filing date and registrar/clerk certification for certified copies

• Divorce decree (dissolution) and case file

  • Case caption (parties’ names), case number, filing date, venue
  • Findings and orders dissolving the marriage
  • Orders on legal issues such as:
    • Property and debt distribution
    • Spousal maintenance (alimony) where awarded
    • Parenting plan/child custody and visitation terms
    • Child support obligations
    • Name change orders (when granted)
  • Related filings in the case file may include petitions, financial affidavits, proposed parenting plans, and settlement agreements (access subject to confidentiality rules)

• Annulment decree and case file

  • Case caption, case number, filing date, venue
  • Court findings and legal basis for annulment under Montana law
  • Orders addressing property, support, and child-related issues where applicable

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Marriage records

  • Certified copies are generally restricted to eligible requestors under Montana vital records statutes and administrative rules (commonly including the registrant(s) and certain family/legal representatives). Non-certified informational copies may be more accessible depending on the record and custodian policy.
  • Identification and a signed application are commonly required for certified copies through state vital records.

• Divorce and annulment records

  • Court case files are generally public records, but Montana court rules and statutes allow confidential treatment of certain information and sealed records/orders in specific circumstances.
  • Common restrictions include:
    • Protected personal identifiers (e.g., Social Security numbers, financial account numbers) subject to redaction requirements
    • Confidential filings involving minors, certain medical/mental health information, and sensitive financial data as governed by court rules
    • Sealed cases or sealed documents by court order (access restricted to parties and authorized persons)
  • Certified copies of decrees are available from the Clerk of District Court; access to non-public portions requires legal authorization or a court order.

Silver Bow County is in southwest Montana and is coextensive with the City of Butte (a consolidated city–county). It is a historic mining and smelting center that has transitioned toward a services- and government-led economy while retaining a strong trades presence. The county’s population is roughly in the mid‑30,000s (recent U.S. Census estimates), with most residents concentrated in and around Butte and smaller outlying settlements and rural residential areas.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Silver Bow County’s public K–12 system is primarily served by Butte School District #1. A current roster of schools and programs is typically maintained by the district (school configurations can change over time) on the Butte School District #1 website (Butte School District #1). Public schooling options in the county generally include:

• Elementary schools (multiple sites within Butte)
• Middle school (Butte area)
• Butte High School (the county’s primary comprehensive high school)
• District-supported alternative/credit-recovery and career pathways (district program names vary by year)

Because “number of public schools” is sensitive to openings/closures and program reorganizations, the district’s school directory is the most reliable up-to-date source.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratio: County- and district-level ratios are reported in federal and state education profiles; a common reference point is the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) district profile for Butte School District #1 (NCES district search). (Specific values vary by year and reporting method; NCES provides the most standardized series.)
• Graduation rate: Montana reports 4‑year cohort graduation rates; Butte High School and the district are included in the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) reports and dashboards (Montana OPI). The most recent published cohort rate should be taken from OPI’s current year release; district and school rates can differ from the state average due to cohort size and student mobility.

Adult education levels (countywide)

Adult educational attainment is reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). In recent ACS 5‑year estimates for Silver Bow County, the overall pattern is:

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and higher: a clear majority of adults (typical for Montana counties; county-specific ACS tables provide the percentage).
• Bachelor’s degree and higher: below the most highly educated metro counties nationally, but consistent with a mid-sized, historically industrial county; ACS provides the exact share.

The most direct county table is ACS Educational Attainment (S1501) via data.census.gov (U.S. Census Bureau data portal).

Notable programs (STEM, CTE/vocational, AP)

Program availability is primarily district-led and varies by staffing and student demand, but commonly documented offerings in similarly sized Montana districts (and typically present in Butte’s comprehensive high school setting) include:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational pathways (trades-oriented coursework aligned with regional labor demand)
• Advanced placement and/or dual-credit options (where staffing and enrollment support it)
• STEM coursework integrated into standard math/science sequences and elective offerings

The most authoritative source for current course catalogs and endorsements is the district and high school program documentation (see district website above), with statewide CTE frameworks supported by Montana OPI (Montana OPI Career and Technical Education).

School safety measures and counseling resources

District safety practices in Montana commonly include combinations of:

• Controlled entry procedures, visitor management, and coordination with local law enforcement
• Emergency response protocols (lockdown, evacuation, reunification)
• Student support staffing such as school counselors and access to behavioral health partnerships

Specific staffing levels, safety plans, and counseling services are documented in district policy handbooks and school improvement plans; the district website is the primary public repository for these materials.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

The most recent official unemployment rate for Silver Bow County is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). The standard county series can be retrieved through the BLS LAUS portal (BLS LAUS) and Montana’s labor market information pages (commonly maintained by the state labor agency). (A specific annual average or latest monthly rate should be taken directly from the current BLS release for accuracy.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Silver Bow County’s employment base typically reflects:

• Health care and social assistance
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (regional hub activity centered in Butte)
• Public administration and education (city–county functions and public schools)
• Construction and skilled trades
• Transportation/warehousing and local services
• A smaller but culturally significant mining-related and industrial legacy footprint compared with earlier decades

The most comparable industry distribution figures are available from the ACS “Industry by Occupation” and “Industry by Sex” tables and from the U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns (not all small counts are disclosed due to confidentiality). County profiles can be pulled from data.census.gov (ACS industry/occupation tables).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational mixes in the county generally feature:

• Service occupations (food service, personal care, protective service)
• Sales and office/administrative support
• Construction and extraction and installation/maintenance/repair
• Transportation and material moving
• Management, business, and professional occupations at a smaller share than major metros

For the county’s occupational percentages, the most widely used source is ACS Occupation (S2401) via data.census.gov (ACS occupation profile).

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

• Commute time: Silver Bow County’s mean travel time to work is reported in ACS “Commuting Characteristics” tables and is generally consistent with a small metro-style hub where many commutes are within the Butte area, with some longer trips to neighboring counties for specialized work.
• Mode of commute: Personal vehicle commuting predominates, with smaller shares for walking, carpooling, and limited public transit.

The most direct reference table is ACS S0801 (Commuting Characteristics) on data.census.gov (ACS commuting characteristics).

Local employment versus out-of-county work

ACS identifies county-to-county commuting indirectly through “place of work” characteristics, but the most explicit residence-to-workflow estimates are typically produced through federal commuting datasets and tools. A practical proxy is the ACS share of workers who work in the county of residence (from commuting tables), supplemented by longitudinal employer-household dynamics commuting products where available. Silver Bow County generally functions as both:

• A local employment center for residents working in Butte (city–county services, health care, retail/services)
• A source of out-commuters to adjacent counties for some specialized roles and project-based construction/trades

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Silver Bow County’s tenure split (owner-occupied vs renter-occupied) is published in ACS housing tables. As a county with a substantial older housing stock and a sizeable renter market near central Butte, the distribution typically reflects:

• A majority owner-occupied share
• A substantial renter share relative to very rural Montana counties

The definitive county percentages are in ACS DP04 (Selected Housing Characteristics) via data.census.gov (ACS housing characteristics).

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value (owner-occupied): Reported in ACS (DP04). Recent Montana-wide trends have included notable appreciation since 2020, with local variation; Silver Bow County has generally risen with the state market but often remains more affordable than the highest-cost Montana counties.
• Trend note (proxy): Where year-to-year county medians are volatile in ACS (sampling variability), a reasonable proxy for trend direction is multi-year ACS comparisons and regional market reporting (local MLS summaries), while treating ACS as the standardized benchmark.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Available in ACS DP04. Rents in Silver Bow County typically track below the most expensive Montana resort or high-growth counties, with variation by neighborhood, unit age, and proximity to services in Butte.

Types of housing

The county’s housing stock commonly includes:

• Older single-family homes and historic neighborhoods in Butte
• Smaller multifamily buildings and apartments closer to the urban core
• Manufactured housing in some areas
• Rural lots and homes outside the central city footprint

ACS provides unit-type distribution (single-unit detached, attached, 2–4 units, 5+ units, mobile homes) in DP04.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

Residential patterns are largely shaped by Butte’s urban layout:

• Central and historic areas: closer access to city services, schools, and commercial corridors; more mixed housing types
• Outlying residential areas: more single-family and larger-lot character; greater reliance on driving for shopping and services
• School proximity: elementary sites dispersed across the city generally support neighborhood-based access, while the high school serves a broader catchment

Neighborhood-level metrics (walkability, distance to schools) are not consistently available in ACS; city planning documents and district attendance maps serve as the main public references.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Property taxes in Montana are assessed through state and local mill levies and vary by property class and levy changes. The most reliable county-specific figures (effective rates and typical bill levels) are compiled in county and state tax resources:

• Montana Department of Revenue property tax resources (Montana Department of Revenue)
• Silver Bow County / Butte–Silver Bow finance and treasurer materials (local levy and billing information; typically posted on official county websites)

Because effective tax rates depend on taxable value calculations and levy structures, “average rate” is best represented using the most recent published effective property tax statistics from state or county reporting rather than a single national proxy.