Lake County
MT · Pop. 32,073 · Rural County
Lake County sits in Montana across 1,490 square miles, home to 32,073 people at 21.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, haylage. The median home price is $369,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.66%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F and average winter lows of 21.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Providence St. Joseph Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 68.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, 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.
- Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 21.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 143-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $369,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Broadband reaches only 68.7% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
At a glance
Lake County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $369k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 143 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.7"
- Broadband
- 68.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, 4.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lake County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lake County?
- Lake County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.8°F, and average winter lows of 21.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $369,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 68.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Providence St. Joseph Medical Center is 4.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Lake 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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