Powder River County
MT · Pop. 1,762 · Rural County
Powder River County, Montana covers 3,298 square miles with a population of 1,762 and a density of 0.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, haylage. A median home price of $149,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.83% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 12.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 14 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association is 58.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 52.3% 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 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $149,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 0.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 52.3% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association, is 58.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Powder River County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 18/100
- Median home price
- $149k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 129 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 14"
- Broadband
- 52.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association, 58.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Powder River County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Powder River County?
- Powder River County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 12.1°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $149,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 52.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association is 58.8 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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