Deer Lodge County
MT · Pop. 9,512 · Rural County
Deer Lodge County sits in Montana across 737 square miles, home to 9,512 people at 12.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay. The median home price is $210,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.81%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 95-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F and average winter lows of 14.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Community Hospital of Anaconda is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.2% 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 0.81% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Community Hospital of Anaconda, with an emergency room, is just 9.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 12.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 95-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A poverty rate of 18.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 14.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Deer Lodge County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $210k
- Property tax
- 0.81%
- Growing season
- 95 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.7"
- Broadband
- 87.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Hospital of Anaconda, 9.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Deer Lodge County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Deer Lodge County?
- Deer Lodge County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 95-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F, and average winter lows of 14.6°F. The established crops are hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $210,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.81%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Hospital of Anaconda is 9.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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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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