Chouteau County
MT · Pop. 5,888 · Rural County
Chouteau County, Montana covers 3,973 square miles with a population of 5,888 and a density of 1.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, barley. The median home price is $185,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.78%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F and average winter lows of 9.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Missouri River Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $185,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Missouri River Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 122-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 9.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Chouteau County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $185k
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- Growing season
- 122 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.4"
- Broadband
- 94.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Missouri River Medical Center, 11.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chouteau County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chouteau County?
- Chouteau County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.5°F, and average winter lows of 9.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $185,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Missouri River Medical Center is 11.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals 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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The closest counties to Chouteau 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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