Lincoln County
MT · Pop. 20,656 · Rural County
Lincoln County sits in Montana across 3,613 square miles, home to 20,656 people at 5.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, lettuce. A median home price of $259,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.58% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 113-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 21.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.1% 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 0.58% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 11.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 5.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
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 113-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.4 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
Lincoln County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 50/100
- Median home price
- $259k
- Property tax
- 0.58%
- Growing season
- 113 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.4"
- Broadband
- 80.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, 11.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lincoln County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lincoln County?
- Lincoln County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 113-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 21.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, lettuce.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $259,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.58%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.1% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is 11.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Lincoln 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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