Musselshell County
MT · Pop. 5,068 · Rural County
Musselshell County sits in Montana across 1,869 square miles, home to 5,068 people at 2.7 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $221,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F and average winter lows of 16°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 6.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.3% 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 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare, with an emergency room, is just 6.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 2.7 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.
- A 133-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
At a glance
Musselshell County, MT is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 56/100
- Median home price
- $221k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 133 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.2"
- Broadband
- 93.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare, 6.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Musselshell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Musselshell County?
- Musselshell County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 133-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.2°F, and average winter lows of 16°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $221,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 6.2 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 Musselshell 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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