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Meagher County

MT · Pop. 1,979 · Rural County

54/100Homestead Score

Meagher County sits in Montana across 2,392 square miles, home to 1,979 people at 0.8 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, barley. The median home price is $244,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.7%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 96-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F and average winter lows of 13.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 13 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mountainview Medical Center is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.7%
Growing Season: 96 days
Broadband: 87.7%
Density: 0.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.7% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Mountainview Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • At 0.8 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.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 96-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 13 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • Average winter lows of 13.5°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Meagher County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
54/100
Median home price
$244k
Property tax
0.7%
Growing season
96 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
13"
Broadband
87.7%
Nearest hospital
Mountainview Medical Center, 2.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.7%
Median Household Income$56,215
Poverty Rate10.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$244K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season96 days
Annual Rainfall13 inches
Avg Summer High77.8°F
Avg Winter Low13.5°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Barley

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado1/10
Flood1/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMountainview Medical Center (2.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage87.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.8%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Meagher County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Meagher County?
Meagher County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 96-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.8°F, and average winter lows of 13.5°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, barley.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $244,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.7%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 87.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Mountainview Medical Center is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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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.