Custer County
MT · Pop. 11,938 · Rural County
Custer County sits in Montana across 3,783 square miles, home to 11,938 people at 3.2 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $204,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 104-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F and average winter lows of 5.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Holy Rosary Healthcare is 16.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 104-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 5.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Custer County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 33/100
- Median home price
- $204k
- Property tax
- 1.1%
- Growing season
- 104 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.6"
- Broadband
- 83.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Holy Rosary Healthcare, 16.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Custer County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Custer County?
- Custer County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 104-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F, and average winter lows of 5.7°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $204,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 83.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Holy Rosary Healthcare is 16.2 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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