Prairie County
MT · Pop. 1,251 · Rural County
Prairie County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 1,737 square miles with 1,251 residents at a density of 0.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, haylage. The median home price is $167,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.85%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 113-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 7.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 12 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Prairie Community Hospital is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.2% 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 0.85% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $167,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Prairie Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 0.7 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 113-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A poverty rate of 23.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 7.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Prairie County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $167k
- Property tax
- 0.85%
- Growing season
- 113 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12"
- Broadband
- 91.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Prairie Community Hospital, 9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Prairie County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Prairie County?
- Prairie County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 113-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 7.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $167,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.85%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Prairie Community Hospital is 9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Montana Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Prairie 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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