Gallatin County
MT · Pop. 122,194 · Suburban County
Gallatin County is a suburban county in Montana, spanning 2,605 square miles with 122,194 residents at a density of 46.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. A median home price of $605,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.6% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 14.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.2% 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 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 107-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $605,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 14.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Gallatin County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $605k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 107 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.2"
- Broadband
- 93.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, 12.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Gallatin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Gallatin County?
- Gallatin County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 14.2°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $605,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital is 12.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Montana
All Montana countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Gallatin 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.