Ravalli County
MT · Pop. 45,807 · Rural County
Ravalli County, Montana covers 2,391 square miles with a population of 45,807 and a density of 19.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $435,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F and average winter lows of 20.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 15.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bitterroot Health - Daly Hospital Cah is 12.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 19.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 117-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 15.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $435,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Ravalli County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 36/100
- Median home price
- $435k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 117 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 15.4"
- Broadband
- 93.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Bitterroot Health - Daly Hospital Cah, 12.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ravalli County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ravalli County?
- Ravalli County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 117-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F, and average winter lows of 20.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $435,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bitterroot Health - Daly Hospital Cah is 12.2 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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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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