Best counties to live in Montana

Written by:
June 17, 2021
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Best counties to live in Montana

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Montana using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

#11. Teton County

- Population: 6,086
- Median home value: $172,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $777 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $55,000
- Top public schools: Greenfield Elementary School (A), Fairfield Elementary School (A), Choteau Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Fairfield Mennonite School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Fairfield (A), Choteau (B), Dutton (C+)

#10. Fergus County

- Population: 11,221
- Median home value: $143,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $759 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $50,540
- Top public schools: Lewis & Clark School (B+), Garfield School (B+), Highland Park School (B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Lewistown (B), Winifred (B), Denton (B)

#9. Yellowstone County

- Population: 159,008
- Median home value: $226,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $892 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $61,264
- Top public schools: Central Heights School (A), Canyon Creek Junior High School (B+), Arrowhead School (B+)
- Top private schools: Billings Central Catholic High School (A), Billings Christian Schools (B), St. Francis Primary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Billings (B), Lockwood (B), Laurel (B)

#8. Jefferson County

- Population: 11,917
- Median home value: $282,700 (84% own)
- Median rent: $788 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $69,646
- Top public schools: Cardwell School (A+), Clancy Junior High School (A), Montana City Middle School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Montana City (B+), Boulder (B), Clancy (B)

#7. Lake County

- Population: 30,013
- Median home value: $253,100 (72% own)
- Median rent: $705 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $48,829
- Top public schools: Charlo Junior High School (A), Charlo Elementary School (A), Polson Middle School (7-8) (B)
- Top private schools: Mission Valley Christian Academy (B), Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch (B), Nkwusm Salish Language School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Polson (B), Woods Bay (B+), Rollins (B)

#6. Cascade County

- Population: 81,625
- Median home value: $179,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $770 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $49,913
- Top public schools: Belt Elementary School (A), Belt Junior High School (A), Cascade School (A)
- Top private schools: Great Falls Central Catholic High School (B+), Foothills Community Christian School (B), Holy Spirit Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Great Falls (B), Black Eagle (B+), Sand Coulee (B)

#5. Beaverhead County

- Population: 9,415
- Median home value: $215,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $620 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $43,201
- Top public schools: Dillon Middle School (A), Parkview School (A), Beaverhead County High School (B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Dillon (B+)

#4. Chouteau County

- Population: 5,732
- Median home value: $143,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $384 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $42,298
- Top public schools: Fort Benton Elementary School (A), Highwood School (A), Geraldine School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Fort Benton (B+), Big Sandy (B+), Highwood (B)

#3. Missoula County

- Population: 117,309
- Median home value: $284,000 (59% own)
- Median rent: $863 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $54,062
- Top public schools: De Smet Junior High School (A), Hellgate High School (A), Hawthorne Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Loyola Sacred Heart High School (A), Valley Christian School (B+), St. Joseph School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Missoula (B+), East Missoula (B+), Lolo (B)

#2. Lewis and Clark County

- Population: 67,805
- Median home value: $243,000 (69% own)
- Median rent: $833 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $65,791
- Top public schools: Jefferson Elementary School (A), C.R. Anderson Middle School (B+), Radley Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Helena Christian School (B+), St. Andrew School (B+), First Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Helena (A), East Helena (B), Augusta (B)

#1. Gallatin County

- Population: 108,063
- Median home value: $357,100 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,074 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $66,397
- Top public schools: Amsterdam School (A), Bozeman High School (A), Anderson Junior High School (A)
- Top private schools: Mount Ellis Academy (A), Petra Academy (B+), Manhattan Christian School (B)
- Top places to live: Bozeman (A), Four Corners (A), King Arthur Park (A)

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