Madison County
MT · Pop. 8,975 · Rural County
Madison County, Montana covers 3,588 square miles with a population of 8,975 and a density of 2.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $441,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.41%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 92-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F and average winter lows of 13.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Madison Valley Medical Center is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.9% 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 0.41% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Madison Valley Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, haylage, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.5 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.
- A 92-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.
- A median home price of $441,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 13.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Madison County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $441k
- Property tax
- 0.41%
- Growing season
- 92 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.3"
- Broadband
- 91.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Madison Valley Medical Center, 9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Madison County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Madison County?
- Madison County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 92-day growing season, average summer highs of 78°F, and average winter lows of 13.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $441,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.41%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Madison Valley Medical Center is 9 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 Madison 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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