Yellowstone County
MT · Pop. 167,340 · Suburban County
Yellowstone County, Montana covers 2,633 square miles with a population of 167,340 and a density of 63.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $318,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.84%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 12.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 13.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Billings Clinic is 15.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 129-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 13.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 12.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Yellowstone County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 19/100
- Median home price
- $318k
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- Growing season
- 129 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 13.8"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Billings Clinic, 15.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Yellowstone County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Yellowstone County?
- Yellowstone County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 129-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 12.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $318,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Billings Clinic is 15.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals 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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