McCone County
MT · Pop. 1,818 · Rural County
McCone County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 2,642 square miles with 1,818 residents at a density of 0.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, peas. A median home price of $197,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.67% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F and average winter lows of 9.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mccone County Health Center is 16.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 68.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $197,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, peas means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 0.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 123-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 68.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 9.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
McCone County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $197k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 123 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.4"
- Broadband
- 68.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Mccone County Health Center, 16.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in McCone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in McCone County?
- McCone County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F, and average winter lows of 9.5°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, peas.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $197,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 68.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mccone County Health Center is 16.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Montana
All Montana countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to McCone 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.