Stillwater County
MT · Pop. 9,052 · Rural County
Stillwater County sits in Montana across 1,797 square miles, home to 9,052 people at 5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $356,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F and average winter lows of 12.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Stillwater Hospital Association Inc is 6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84.7% 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 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Stillwater Hospital Association Inc, with an emergency room, is just 6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 115-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $356,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 12.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Stillwater County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 43/100
- Median home price
- $356k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 115 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.9"
- Broadband
- 84.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Stillwater Hospital Association Inc, 6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Stillwater County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Stillwater County?
- Stillwater County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 115-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.8°F, and average winter lows of 12.6°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $356,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Stillwater Hospital Association Inc is 6 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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