Valley County
MT · Pop. 7,540 · Rural County
Valley County, Montana covers 4,926 square miles with a population of 7,540 and a density of 1.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, lentils. A median home price of $199,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 8.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 12.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital is 11.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $199,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, lentils means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 1.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 138-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 12.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 8.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Valley County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $199k
- Property tax
- 1.1%
- Growing season
- 138 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 12.4"
- Broadband
- 90.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, 11.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Valley County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Valley County?
- Valley County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F, and average winter lows of 8.4°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, lentils.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $199,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital is 11.2 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 Valley 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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