Mineral County
MT · Pop. 4,796 · Rural County
Mineral County is a rural county in Montana, spanning 1,220 square miles with 4,796 residents at a density of 3.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat. The median home price is $314,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.55%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F and average winter lows of 21.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 16.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mineral Community Hospital is 10.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 35.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.55% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Mineral Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 10.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 3.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 126-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 16.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 35.8% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Mineral County, MT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 41/100
- Median home price
- $314k
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- Growing season
- 126 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 16.5"
- Broadband
- 35.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Mineral Community Hospital, 10.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Mineral County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Mineral County?
- Mineral County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.8°F. The established crops are hay, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $314,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.55%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 35.8% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mineral Community Hospital is 10.5 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 Mineral 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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