Stillwater County is located in south-central Montana along the Yellowstone River corridor, bordered by Yellowstone County to the east and Carbon County to the south. Established in 1913 from portions of Yellowstone County, it forms part of the Billings metropolitan region while retaining a predominantly rural character outside its main population centers. The county has a small population (about 10,000 residents), with growth tied to commuting and regional economic activity.

The landscape combines irrigated river valleys, rolling prairie, and foothills leading toward the Beartooth Mountains, with significant agricultural land use alongside energy and industrial activity influenced by nearby urban markets. Farming and ranching remain central to the local economy, complemented by transportation and services connected to the I-90 corridor. The county seat is Columbus, the primary administrative and civic center, with additional population concentrated in the city of Laurel (partly within the county).

Stillwater County Local Demographic Profile

Stillwater County is in south-central Montana along the Yellowstone River corridor, with Columbus as the county seat. The county borders Yellowstone County (Billings area) and includes both agricultural land and small-town communities.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau data portal (data.census.gov), Stillwater County had:

  • Population (2020 Census): 9,642
  • Population (2023 estimate): 9,965

Primary Census Bureau source table: Decennial Census and annual population estimates for Stillwater County, MT.

For local government context and services, see the Stillwater County official website.

Age & Gender

County-level age and sex figures are published by the U.S. Census Bureau and can be accessed via the county profile pages on data.census.gov.

From U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov):

  • Age distribution (ACS 5-year): Available in tables such as S0101 (Age and Sex) for Stillwater County, MT.
  • Gender ratio / sex composition (ACS 5-year): Available in S0101 (Age and Sex) for Stillwater County, MT.

Direct table access: ACS S0101 (Age and Sex), Stillwater County, MT.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino origin are available from both the Decennial Census and the American Community Survey on data.census.gov.

From the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov), Stillwater County race/ethnicity data are available in:

  • Decennial Census (2020) race and Hispanic origin tables (e.g., PL 94-171 redistricting files)
  • ACS 5-year detailed tables, including common profile tables for county comparisons

Direct table access (ACS profile): ACS DP05 (Demographic and Housing Estimates), Stillwater County, MT.

Household & Housing Data

Household composition, household size, housing occupancy, and related housing characteristics are published by the Census Bureau through ACS county tables.

From the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov), Stillwater County household and housing data are available in:

Email Usage

Stillwater County is a sparsely populated, largely rural county in south-central Montana, where long distances between towns and terrain can limit last‑mile infrastructure and make digital communication more dependent on available fixed broadband and mobile coverage.

Direct county-level email usage rates are not routinely published; broadband and device access serve as practical proxies for likely email access. The U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) publishes Stillwater County indicators such as household broadband subscriptions and computer ownership, which are closely associated with regular email use for work, school, healthcare, and government services.

Age structure can influence adoption: older populations tend to have lower rates of broadband/device use and may rely more on in-person or phone communication. County age distributions are available via U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Stillwater County and can be used to interpret email access patterns. Gender distribution is generally less predictive of email adoption than age and income; the same QuickFacts source provides sex composition for context.

Connectivity constraints typically include limited provider competition outside population centers and gaps in high-speed coverage documented in the FCC National Broadband Map.

Mobile Phone Usage

Stillwater County is in south-central Montana along the Yellowstone River, with a largely rural settlement pattern outside the county seat of Columbus and small communities such as Park City and Absarokee. The county’s mountainous terrain to the south (Beartooth foothills and access toward the Beartooth/Absaroka ranges) and wide river valley corridors create common rural connectivity constraints: long distances between towers, line-of-sight limitations in canyons, and coverage that concentrates along highways and populated valleys. Population density is low compared with Montana’s urban centers, which tends to reduce commercial incentives for dense mobile infrastructure deployment. County geography and population context are available via the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Stillwater County and county resources such as the Stillwater County website.

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

  • Network availability describes where mobile providers report service and what technologies are deployed (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G).
  • Household adoption describes whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and whether they rely on mobile for internet access, which is influenced by income, age, device ownership, and the presence or absence of fixed broadband alternatives.

County-specific, mobile-only adoption and smartphone ownership data are not consistently published at the county level for all measures; where county-specific indicators are unavailable, statewide and nationally standardized sources are cited and limitations are stated.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (where available)

Household adoption indicators (county-level limits)

  • County-level, standardized estimates of smartphone ownership or mobile subscription rates are generally not published as official statistics in the same way that broadband availability maps are published. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) provides internet subscription measures (including cellular data plans) but interpretation at a single-county scale can be constrained by sampling uncertainty, especially in rural counties.
  • The most direct official pathway to county-level adoption indicators is the ACS “Computer and Internet Use” content accessed through the Census Bureau’s tools (tables vary by release year). Reference entry points include the American Community Survey (ACS) and data.census.gov. These sources can show:
    • Households with an internet subscription
    • Households with a cellular data plan
    • Households with no internet subscription
  • Limitation: ACS measures internet subscription at the household level and does not directly measure “mobile penetration” as active SIM subscriptions per person, nor does it provide carrier-level subscription counts.

Network access proxies (availability-focused)

  • Mobile access is commonly assessed using reported coverage and technology availability from federal mapping programs rather than direct “penetration.” The primary federal source for broadband availability by technology, including mobile broadband, is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC). See the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Limitation: Availability maps reflect provider-reported service and modeled coverage areas, not guaranteed indoor performance or actual subscription.

Mobile internet usage patterns and connectivity (4G, 5G availability)

4G LTE and 5G availability (network availability)

  • 4G LTE is the baseline mobile broadband technology across most populated parts of Montana and is generally the most widely available mobile broadband layer in rural counties. In Stillwater County, reported LTE coverage is expected to be strongest along population centers and major routes such as the I‑90 corridor and the Yellowstone River valley, with weaker or absent coverage in mountainous and sparsely populated areas. The most defensible county-specific statement about availability is obtained by checking provider coverage on the FCC National Broadband Map using the county boundary or specific locations.
  • 5G availability in rural Montana is typically more limited and more uneven than LTE, and often concentrated near towns, highway corridors, and areas with upgraded backhaul. The FCC map provides provider-reported mobile broadband availability by technology generation and can be used to identify where 5G is reported within Stillwater County.
  • Limitation: The FCC map is the authoritative national dataset for availability, but it does not directly indicate congestion, peak-hour speeds, or indoor signal quality.

Typical usage patterns (adoption context, county-specific limits)

  • In rural counties, mobile data often functions as:
    • A primary connection for some households where fixed broadband options are limited or expensive.
    • A supplemental connection for on-the-go use, particularly along commuting corridors and for outdoor recreation.
  • County-specific mobile usage intensity (e.g., percent relying primarily on mobile, average data consumption) is not typically published as official statistics. The ACS can indicate households with cellular-data plans and broadband types, but does not report usage volume. For statewide broadband context and planning materials that sometimes discuss mobile/fixed use patterns, see the Montana Broadband Office.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

  • Smartphones are the dominant mobile device type nationally and statewide, and they are typically the primary endpoint for mobile broadband in rural counties. Tablets, mobile hotspots, and fixed-wireless gateways (customer premises equipment) also appear, especially where households use cellular or fixed wireless as a home internet substitute.
  • County-specific device-type shares (smartphone vs. basic phone vs. hotspot-only) are not generally available through public administrative datasets. The closest standardized public indicators are:
    • ACS household “computer type” and internet subscription categories (which can indirectly reflect reliance on mobile plans vs fixed service), accessed via data.census.gov.
  • Limitation: The ACS “computer” categories focus on desktops/laptops/tablets and do not directly provide “smartphone vs. feature phone” prevalence at the county level.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography, terrain, and settlement pattern (affects availability)

  • Terrain: Mountainous areas and rugged topography can block radio propagation and complicate backhaul deployment, creating patchier coverage compared with open plains and valley floors.
  • Low population density: Fewer potential subscribers per mile increases per-user infrastructure cost, influencing tower density and the pace of upgrades.
  • Transportation corridors: Coverage improvements often align with highways and towns, where demand and backhaul access are stronger.

These factors align with standard rural coverage dynamics documented in federal and state broadband planning resources, including the FCC National Broadband Map and the Montana Broadband Office.

Demographics and economics (affects adoption)

  • Income and affordability: Mobile plans, device costs, and the presence of fixed broadband alternatives influence whether households subscribe to mobile data plans or use mobile as a primary connection.
  • Age distribution: Older populations often show lower rates of smartphone ownership and lower usage of mobile broadband services relative to younger adults, affecting adoption even where networks are available.
  • Housing dispersion: Remote residences can face weaker indoor signal and fewer provider choices, affecting both adoption and user experience.

County demographic baselines (population, age, income, housing) are available via Census.gov QuickFacts, which provides standardized context for interpreting adoption constraints without substituting for direct mobile subscription statistics.

Practical interpretation for Stillwater County (data-grounded summary)

  • Availability: 4G LTE is typically the most geographically extensive mobile broadband layer; 5G is more limited and concentrated. The authoritative, county-specific way to distinguish LTE vs 5G reported availability is the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Adoption: Publicly accessible county-level indicators for internet subscriptions (including cellular data plans) come from the ACS via data.census.gov, but county-level precision is limited by survey sampling and the fact that it measures household subscription categories rather than per-person mobile penetration.
  • Devices: Smartphones dominate mobile access in general, while hotspots and fixed-wireless/cellular home setups are more common where fixed broadband is limited; county-specific device-type shares are not published as official statistics.
  • Drivers: Rural geography, mountainous terrain, and dispersed settlement patterns are the primary structural constraints on coverage; income, age, and availability of fixed alternatives are primary influences on adoption.

Social Media Trends

Stillwater County is a south‑central Montana county along the Yellowstone River corridor, with Columbus as the county seat and proximity to the Billings metro area shaping commuting patterns, media markets, and connectivity. The local economy includes agriculture, small business, and energy/industrial activity tied to the broader Yellowstone County region, with outdoor recreation and community events contributing to locally focused information sharing.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

  • Local, county-specific social media penetration rates are not published in standard national datasets. County-level estimates generally require proprietary audience measurement or survey work.
  • State/national benchmarks commonly used to approximate local usage:
    • Overall U.S. social media use (adults): 2024 Pew Research Center findings show a large majority of U.S. adults report using at least one social media site; platform-by-platform rates remain high across major services. See Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet.
    • Montana connectivity context: Internet access is a primary constraint for social media participation in rural areas; county conditions typically track broadband availability and mobile coverage patterns. The FCC National Broadband Map provides location-based coverage context used in rural digital-access assessments.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Based on U.S. benchmark survey patterns (commonly applied as the best available proxy for small counties without local surveys):

  • Highest usage: 18–29 and 30–49 adults consistently show the highest adoption across most platforms.
  • Middle usage: 50–64 adults show broad adoption, especially on Facebook and YouTube.
  • Lowest usage: 65+ adults generally have the lowest overall adoption, with comparatively higher concentration on Facebook and YouTube than on newer, short-form or chat-centric platforms.
  • Source patterning is summarized in Pew Research Center’s platform-by-age breakdowns.

Gender breakdown

County-specific gender splits are not available from public sources; U.S.-level platform patterns are used as reference:

  • Women are more likely than men to report using Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest in many survey waves.
  • Men tend to report higher usage on some discussion/video and certain platform categories in some surveys, while YouTube is broadly used across genders.
  • The most consistently cited public breakdowns appear in the Pew Research Center Social Media Fact Sheet (platform-by-demographic tables).

Most-used platforms (with percentages where possible)

Publicly reported platform usage rates are available at the U.S. adult level (not county level). Widely cited benchmarks include:

  • YouTube and Facebook: typically the top two platforms by reach among U.S. adults.
  • Instagram: high penetration among adults, especially under 50.
  • Pinterest: notable usage, especially among women.
  • TikTok: strong concentration among younger adults; rapidly growing over recent years.
  • LinkedIn: concentrated among college-educated and professional segments; relevant in commuter-linked areas near larger labor markets.
  • Source: Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet (platform usage percentages).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Community information and local news sharing: Rural and small-town areas commonly use Facebook Groups and local pages for event promotion, school/sports updates, road/weather information, and buy/sell exchanges; this aligns with Facebook’s broad reach and group functionality reflected in national usage data (Pew platform reach) and local reliance on community channels.
  • Video-first consumption: YouTube functions as a high-reach utility platform (how‑to, local-interest content, entertainment), matching its consistently top-tier penetration in national surveys (Pew).
  • Short-form video skewing younger: TikTok engagement tends to be highest among younger adults; in small counties this often concentrates among high school/young adult cohorts and is more entertainment-driven than civic-info-driven, consistent with national age gradients reported by Pew.
  • Messaging and passive use: A common pattern across platforms is more passive consumption than posting for many adult users, with sharing/reposting and commenting often concentrated around local topics and seasonal events; this aligns with broader social media behavior research summarized in national survey reporting (Pew’s usage and demographic summaries rather than county-specific behavioral telemetry).

Notes on data limitations: Stillwater County-specific social platform penetration, gender splits, and platform shares are not available in public federal statistical products or standard national survey releases. The most methodologically consistent public reference points for small-area approximations are national surveys such as the Pew Research Center Social Media Fact Sheet, combined with local access context from sources such as the FCC National Broadband Map.

Family & Associates Records

Stillwater County family-related public records include vital records and court filings. Birth and death certificates for Stillwater County events are Montana vital records, registered locally and maintained by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Vital Records Office. Certified copies are requested through the state’s vital records system, with identity and eligibility restrictions for certain records. Adoption records are generally sealed under state law; access occurs through court process and authorized agencies rather than open public inspection.

Publicly accessible associate-related records primarily include district court case registers (civil, criminal, probate/guardianship) and recorded documents affecting relationships and property (marriage-related filings, deeds, liens). Stillwater County clerk and recorder services provide access to recorded documents and some indexing.

Access routes include state and county resources: DPHHS vital records requests are handled through the state portal and instructions site (Montana DPHHS Vital Records). Stillwater County recorded document access and office information is provided by the Stillwater County Clerk & Recorder. District court records are accessed through the Montana Judicial Branch Clerk of District Court and may also be searchable via the state’s public court case portal (Montana District Court Public Access (Odyssey Portal)).

Privacy limits commonly apply to recent vital records, adoption files, and sensitive court matters (juvenile, certain protection cases), with redactions and access controls.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

  • Marriage licenses and marriage certificates (Stillwater County)

    • Stillwater County issues marriage licenses through the Stillwater County Clerk of District Court and records the completed marriage documentation as part of county marriage records.
    • A state-level marriage certificate record is maintained as a vital record by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Vital Records.

  • Divorce decrees (dissolution of marriage)

    • Divorce case files and final decrees are maintained by the Montana District Court for Stillwater County and kept by the Clerk of District Court as court records.

  • Annulments (declaration of invalidity of marriage)

    • Annulment case files and final judgments/orders are maintained by the Montana District Court for Stillwater County and kept by the Clerk of District Court as court records, similar to divorce records.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

  • Stillwater County Clerk of District Court (county marriage licensing; local court records)

    • Maintains:
      • Marriage license applications and recorded marriage returns (county marriage records)
      • District Court case records for divorce and annulment, including judgments/decrees and related filings
    • Access methods commonly available:
      • In-person requests at the Clerk of District Court office for copies or certified copies (fees and identification requirements vary by record type)
      • Mail requests (often available for certified copies)
      • Remote/electronic access may exist for case registers or docket information, but availability and scope depend on court policy and the Montana Judicial Branch systems.

  • Montana DPHHS, Office of Vital Records (state vital record copies)

    • Maintains state-level marriage and divorce vital record indexes/certificates as governed by Montana vital records law and DPHHS policy.
    • Access is typically provided through the state vital records ordering process (identity verification and eligibility rules apply).
    • Reference: Montana DPHHS Vital Records

  • Montana Judicial Branch (court information systems)

    • The Montana Judicial Branch provides statewide information about courts and may provide online access points for limited case information depending on the system and court.
    • Reference: Montana Judicial Branch

Typical information included in these records

  • Marriage license / marriage record

    • Names of the parties
    • Date and place of marriage (county and/or venue)
    • Date the license was issued and the issuing office
    • Officiant name/title and certification of solemnization/return
    • Signatures or attestations (as applicable)
    • Some records may include limited demographic details collected at application (varies by form and period).

  • Divorce decree (dissolution decree) and case record

    • Case caption (party names), case number, filing date, court/jurisdiction
    • Date of decree/judgment and the court’s findings/orders
    • Orders addressing legal status of the marriage and, when applicable:
      • Division of property and debts
      • Maintenance/alimony
      • Parenting plan/custody, child support (when relevant)
      • Name change orders (when granted)
    • Supporting filings may include petitions, affidavits, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and hearing minute entries (contents vary by case).

  • Annulment judgment and case record

    • Case caption, case number, filing date, court/jurisdiction
    • Court order declaring the marriage invalid and related findings
    • Orders addressing property, support, and parenting matters when applicable (case-specific)
    • Supporting filings similar to other family-law civil matters.

Privacy or legal restrictions

  • Vital records restrictions (state-level certificates)

    • Montana treats certified vital records (including marriage and divorce vital records held by DPHHS) as restricted records for issuance. DPHHS generally limits certified copies to eligible requesters and requires identity verification, consistent with Montana vital records statutes and administrative rules.
    • Non-certified informational verifications may be more broadly available in some contexts, subject to state policy.

  • Court record access limits (divorce/annulment case files)

    • District Court records are generally public, but access can be limited by:
      • Court orders sealing a case or specific documents
      • Confidentiality rules for protected information (for example, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and sensitive information involving minors)
      • Statutory confidentiality for certain proceedings or filings, when applicable
    • Public access may be provided to docket-level information even when particular documents are restricted, depending on court policy and the nature of the restriction.

  • Certified vs. non-certified copies

    • Certified copies are typically issued by the record custodian (Clerk of District Court for court documents and county marriage records; DPHHS for state vital records) and may require proof of identity, payment of statutory fees, and compliance with eligibility rules for restricted records.

Education, Employment and Housing

Stillwater County is in south-central Montana along the Yellowstone River corridor, with the county seat in Columbus and other population centers including Absarokee and Park City. The county has a largely rural settlement pattern with small towns and agricultural land uses, plus commuting links to the Billings metropolitan area. County population and core socioeconomic estimates are reported through the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey; county-level labor-market measures are commonly published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Stillwater County’s public K–12 schools are organized primarily under three district systems serving the main communities. School listings are maintained in state and district directories; the most consistently referenced public schools in the county include:

  • Columbus School District (Columbus): Columbus High School, Columbus Middle School, Columbus Elementary School
  • Absarokee School District (Absarokee): Absarokee High School, Absarokee Middle School, Absarokee Elementary School
  • Park City School District (Park City): Park City School (K–12)

A consolidated, authoritative directory is available via the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and district websites. Counts can vary slightly by how programs (e.g., alternative schools) are classified in state reporting.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: School-level ratios are reported by OPI and federal education profiles; rural Montana districts commonly operate at lower student–teacher ratios than state and national averages, reflecting small enrollments and multi-grade staffing in some settings. A single countywide ratio is not consistently published as a standard indicator; school-level reporting is the most reliable proxy.
  • Graduation rates: 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rates are reported annually by OPI at the high-school and district level. Stillwater County’s high schools typically show graduation outcomes that fluctuate year-to-year due to small cohort sizes, making single-year changes more volatile than in larger districts.

Primary source: Montana OPI accountability and reporting (district and school report cards and graduation-rate reporting).

Adult educational attainment

Adult education levels are best represented through ACS 5-year estimates (most recent available release), typically presented for ages 25+:

  • High school diploma (or equivalent) and higher: County shares are generally in line with rural Montana norms, with most adults having at least a high school credential.
  • Bachelor’s degree and higher: The county typically reports a lower share of bachelor’s attainment than major metro areas, reflecting the agricultural/rural labor mix and commuting-driven employment options.

Primary source: U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov (ACS Educational Attainment tables for Stillwater County, MT).

Notable programs (STEM, CTE, AP)

Program offerings vary by district size:

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): Montana public schools commonly provide CTE pathways (e.g., agricultural education, skilled trades, business/technology), with participation and course catalogs reported locally and supported through state CTE structures.
  • Advanced coursework: Smaller high schools often provide dual credit and/or Advanced Placement (AP) where staffing and demand support it; statewide program context and guidance are maintained through OPI, while specific course availability is district-published.
  • STEM: STEM instruction is typically integrated through standard science/math sequences; dedicated STEM academies are less common in small rural districts than in larger population centers.

State program context: Montana OPI Career & Technical Education.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Montana districts generally implement standard safety and student-support practices, with local variation:

  • Safety: Controlled building access, visitor procedures, emergency drills, coordination with local law enforcement, and crisis-response planning are commonly described in district handbooks and board policies.
  • Counseling and student supports: School counseling services are typically available at the middle and high school levels; smaller districts may share staff or combine counseling functions (academic planning, behavioral supports, and college/career guidance).

Policy framework and safety guidance are commonly referenced through OPI resources and district policies: Montana OPI School Safety.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

County unemployment is published by BLS as annual averages and monthly estimates. The most recent official measures are available through:

(County rates can change materially month-to-month in small labor markets; annual average unemployment is the standard “most recent year” indicator.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Stillwater County’s employment base reflects rural south-central Montana:

  • Agriculture and natural-resource-related activity (including ranching and associated services)
  • Local government and education (school districts and county services)
  • Retail trade and health services concentrated in the main towns
  • Construction and transportation tied to regional growth and commuting corridors
  • Tourism/recreation-related services (seasonal and small-business oriented), influenced by proximity to outdoor destinations and regional travel routes

Industry composition is most consistently quantified using ACS “Industry by Occupation” and “Employment by Industry” tables (commonly 5-year estimates): ACS industry and occupation tables.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Workforce distributions in the county typically show higher shares in:

  • Management/business and office support (small-business and public-sector functions)
  • Construction, installation/maintenance, and transportation/material moving
  • Service occupations (healthcare support, food service, protective service)
  • Sales and related
  • Production and farming-related roles (smaller counts but locally significant)

Primary source: ACS occupation tables.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Commuting corridors: A notable share of residents commute to employment outside the county, particularly toward Yellowstone County (Billings area), reflecting broader regional job access.
  • Mean commute time: ACS provides a county mean travel time to work; rural commuting commonly yields mid-range to longer averages relative to urban cores due to highway travel distances.

Primary source: ACS commuting (Journey to Work) tables.

Local employment vs out-of-county work

ACS “Place of Work” and “County-to-county worker flows” style products show that out-of-county commuting is a structural feature for many rural Montana counties near metro job centers. For Stillwater County, the practical pattern is a mixed labor market: local employment in schools, county services, health/retail, agriculture, and construction, combined with commuter employment in larger regional centers.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

County tenure (owner-occupied vs renter-occupied) is best represented by ACS:

  • Stillwater County typically reflects high homeownership rates characteristic of rural Montana, with a smaller rental market concentrated in town centers and along key corridors.

Primary source: ACS housing tenure tables.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median owner-occupied home value: Reported in ACS for the most recent 5-year period. Recent Montana-wide trends include upward price movement since 2020, with rural counties experiencing varying degrees of appreciation depending on proximity to metro areas, recreation demand, and limited inventory.
  • Trend proxy note: Where transaction-level county trends are not published in a single official table, ACS median value and regional market reporting (e.g., state housing snapshots) serve as the most consistent proxies.

Primary source: ACS median home value (owner-occupied).

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: Published by ACS and generally reflects a smaller rental supply in rural counties, with rents often lower than large metros but sensitive to limited vacancy rates and seasonal/commuter demand.

Primary source: ACS gross rent tables.

Types of housing stock

  • Single-family detached homes dominate, including homes on larger lots and rural parcels.
  • Manufactured homes are a common rural housing type in many Montana counties and typically represent a meaningful share of lower-cost owner housing.
  • Small multifamily buildings and apartments are present but concentrated in Columbus, Absarokee, and Park City, with limited inventory compared with urban markets.
  • Rural lots and acreage properties are common outside town limits, with housing tied to agricultural land and exurban development patterns.

Neighborhood characteristics and access to amenities

  • Town-centered access: Columbus provides the densest concentration of county services (schools, civic offices, basic retail/health services) and tends to offer shorter in-town travel times to schools and community amenities.
  • Rural accessibility: Outlying areas have larger parcels and greater privacy but typically require longer driving distances to schools, groceries, and healthcare; school-bus routes and highway access shape day-to-day connectivity.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Montana property taxes are administered locally but governed by state law; effective rates vary by taxable value classification and local mill levies.

  • Average effective rate: County effective rates are commonly summarized through state and county tax documents; Montana’s effective property tax burden is often reported as moderate relative to national averages, but individual bills vary significantly by home value and levy changes.
  • Typical homeowner cost: “Median real estate taxes paid” and related measures are available via ACS as a standardized proxy for typical household property-tax payments.

Primary sources:

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Montana