Hill County
MT · Pop. 16,260 · Rural County
Hill County sits in Montana across 2,899 square miles, home to 16,260 people at 5.6 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, barley. A median home price of $188,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.08% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F and average winter lows of 9°F. Annual rainfall averages 11.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Northern Montana Hospital is 20.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $188,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, barley means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 5.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 120-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 11.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Northern Montana Hospital, is 20.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 19.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Hill County, MT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 32/100
- Median home price
- $188k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 120 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 11.1"
- Broadband
- 91.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Northern Montana Hospital, 20.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hill County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hill County?
- Hill County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 120-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.3°F, and average winter lows of 9°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, barley.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $188,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Northern Montana Hospital is 20.3 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 Hill 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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