Petroleum County
MT · Pop. 401 · Rural County
Petroleum County, Montana covers 1,656 square miles with a population of 401 and a density of 0.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, corn. The median home price is $174,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.73%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F and average winter lows of 7.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 49.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 58.5% 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 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $174,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 0.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 6.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 122-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 58.5% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Roundup Memorial Healthcare, is 49.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Petroleum County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 20/100
- Median home price
- $174k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 122 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.6"
- Broadband
- 58.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare, 49.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Petroleum County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Petroleum County?
- Petroleum County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 122-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.2°F, and average winter lows of 7.7°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $174,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 58.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Roundup Memorial Healthcare is 49.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
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More counties in Montana
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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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