Carbon County
MT · Pop. 10,877 · Rural County
Carbon County, Montana covers 2,048 square miles with a population of 10,877 and a density of 5.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, barley, corn. The median home price is $379,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 124-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F and average winter lows of 13.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Beartooth Billings Clinic is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 79% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Beartooth Billings Clinic, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, barley, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 124-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $379,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Carbon County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 25/100
- Median home price
- $379k
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- Growing season
- 124 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.3"
- Broadband
- 79%
- Nearest hospital
- Beartooth Billings Clinic, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Carbon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Carbon County?
- Carbon County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 124-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F, and average winter lows of 13.5°F. The established crops are hay, barley, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $379,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 79% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Beartooth Billings Clinic is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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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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