Cascade County
MT · Pop. 84,601 · Suburban County
Cascade County is a suburban county in Montana, spanning 2,698 square miles with 84,601 residents at a density of 31.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $243,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.2°F and average winter lows of 16.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Benefis Health Care (West Campus) is 12.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.6% 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 0.92% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% 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 134-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Cascade County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 27/100
- Median home price
- $243k
- Property tax
- 0.92%
- Growing season
- 134 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.6"
- Broadband
- 87.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Benefis Health Care (West Campus), 12.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cascade County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cascade County?
- Cascade County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 134-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.2°F, and average winter lows of 16.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $243,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.92%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Benefis Health Care (West Campus) is 12.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Cascade County by distance, including across state lines.
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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