Wheatland County
MT · Pop. 2,049 · Rural County
Wheatland County sits in Montana across 1,422 square miles, home to 2,049 people at 1.4 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, barley. A median home price of $173,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.65% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F and average winter lows of 12.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Wheatland Memorial Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $173,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wheatland Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 1.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 107-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A poverty rate of 23.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Average winter lows of 12.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Wheatland County, MT is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $173k
- Property tax
- 0.65%
- Growing season
- 107 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.4"
- Broadband
- 95.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Wheatland Memorial Hospital, 4.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wheatland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wheatland County?
- Wheatland County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 107-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F, and average winter lows of 12.8°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $173,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wheatland Memorial Hospital is 4.2 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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The closest counties to Wheatland 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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