Golden Valley County
MT · Pop. 840 · Rural County
Golden Valley County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 1,174 square miles with 840 residents at a density of 0.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on wheat, hay, barley. The median home price is $204,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.51%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.4°F and average winter lows of 15°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 30.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.51% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 0.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 108-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Roundup Memorial Healthcare, is 30.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 15°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Golden Valley County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $204k
- Property tax
- 0.51%
- Growing season
- 108 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.3"
- Broadband
- 87.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare, 30.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Golden Valley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Golden Valley County?
- Golden Valley County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 108-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.4°F, and average winter lows of 15°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $204,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 30.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Montana Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Golden Valley 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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