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Granite County

MT · Pop. 3,419 · Rural County

46/100Homestead Score

Granite County, Montana covers 1,727 square miles with a population of 3,419 and a density of 2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage. A median home price of $340,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.61% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 65-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.8°F and average winter lows of 15.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Granite County Medical Center is 7.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 82.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.61%
Growing Season: 65 days
Broadband: 82.2%
Density: 2/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.61% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Granite County Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 65-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 agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Granite County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
46/100
Median home price
$340k
Property tax
0.61%
Growing season
65 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
15.3"
Broadband
82.2%
Nearest hospital
Granite County Medical Center, 7.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.61%
Median Household Income$54,646
Poverty Rate10.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$340K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season65 days
Annual Rainfall15.3 inches
Avg Summer High76.8°F
Avg Winter Low15.7°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought2/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado1/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalGranite County Medical Center (7.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage82.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Granite County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Granite County?
Granite County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 65-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.8°F, and average winter lows of 15.7°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $340,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 82.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Granite County Medical Center is 7.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.