Lewis and Clark County
MT · Pop. 72,580 · Rural County
Lewis and Clark County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 3,458 square miles with 72,580 residents at a density of 21 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. A median home price of $358,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.81% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F and average winter lows of 15.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St. Peter's Health is 41.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.81% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 21 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 125-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $358,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Lewis and Clark County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 17/100
- Median home price
- $358k
- Property tax
- 0.81%
- Growing season
- 125 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.6"
- Broadband
- 88.5%
- Nearest hospital
- St. Peter's Health, 41.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lewis and Clark County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lewis and Clark County?
- Lewis and Clark County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.1°F, and average winter lows of 15.5°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $358,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.81%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- St. Peter's Health is 41.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Lewis and Clark 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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