Missoula County
MT · Pop. 119,639 · Suburban County
Missoula County, Montana covers 2,593 square miles with a population of 119,639 and a density of 46.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, sweet corn. A median home price of $423,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.91% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 132-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F and average winter lows of 19.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 17.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. St Patrick Hospital is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94% 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 0.91% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- St Patrick Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.9% 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 132-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 17.3 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $423,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Missoula County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 28/100
- Median home price
- $423k
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- Growing season
- 132 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 17.3"
- Broadband
- 94%
- Nearest hospital
- St Patrick Hospital, 11.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Missoula County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Missoula County?
- Missoula County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 132-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.9°F, and average winter lows of 19.4°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $423,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- St Patrick Hospital is 11.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Missoula 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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