Garfield County
MT · Pop. 938 · Rural County
Garfield County, Montana covers 4,677 square miles with a population of 938 and a density of 0.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, peas. A median home price of $178,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F and average winter lows of 7.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Garfield County Health Center is 5.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 45.8% 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 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $178,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Garfield County Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, peas means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 0.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 118-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 45.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 7.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Garfield County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 40/100
- Median home price
- $178k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 118 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.7"
- Broadband
- 45.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Garfield County Health Center, 5.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Garfield County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Garfield County?
- Garfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 118-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.6°F, and average winter lows of 7.3°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $178,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 45.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Garfield County Health Center is 5.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Garfield 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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