Jefferson County
MT · Pop. 12,501 · Rural County
Jefferson County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 1,657 square miles with 12,501 residents at a density of 7.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage. A median home price of $408,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F and average winter lows of 12.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St James Healthcare is 24.6 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 60% 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 0.56% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 7.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 6.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 88-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $408,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 60% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Jefferson County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 5/100
- Median home price
- $408k
- Property tax
- 0.56%
- Growing season
- 88 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.4"
- Broadband
- 60%
- Nearest hospital
- St James Healthcare, 24.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jefferson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jefferson County?
- Jefferson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 88-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F, and average winter lows of 12.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $408,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.56%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 60% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St James Healthcare is 24.6 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Jefferson 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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