Toole County
MT · Pop. 5,028 · Rural County
Toole County sits in Montana across 1,915 square miles, home to 5,028 people at 2.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, barley, hay. The median home price is $187,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.96%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 119-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F and average winter lows of 10.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Logan Health - Shelby is 10.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $187,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Logan Health - Shelby, with an emergency room, is just 10.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, barley, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 2.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 119-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 9% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 10.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Toole County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 30/100
- Median home price
- $187k
- Property tax
- 0.96%
- Growing season
- 119 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.1"
- Broadband
- 9%
- Nearest hospital
- Logan Health - Shelby, 10.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Toole County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Toole County?
- Toole County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 119-day growing season, average summer highs of 80°F, and average winter lows of 10.2°F. The established crops are wheat, barley, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $187,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.96%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Logan Health - Shelby is 10.8 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Montana
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The closest counties to Toole 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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