Broadwater County
MT · Pop. 7,310 · Rural County
Broadwater County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 1,192 square miles with 7,310 residents at a density of 6.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. A median home price of $365,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 10.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Broadwater Health Center is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 48.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadwater Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 117-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 10.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $365,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 48.9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Broadwater County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 24/100
- Median home price
- $365k
- Property tax
- 0.61%
- Growing season
- 117 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 10.4"
- Broadband
- 48.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Broadwater Health Center, 1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Broadwater County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Broadwater County?
- Broadwater County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $365,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 48.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Broadwater Health Center is 1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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