CountyScore

Cascade County

Montana · MT

#50 in Montana
65.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Cascade County, Montana

Above average, but not by much

Cascade's 65.6 score beats the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it in solid national standing. However, it falls short of Montana's state average of 72.1, marking it as a weaker regional performer.

Lower half of Montana counties

Cascade ranks among Montana's less competitive counties on livability metrics. It faces headwinds that most of its peer counties don't, particularly in risk and safety dimensions.

Competitive income and moderate health outcomes

Cascade's income score of 26.6 and median household income of $66,203 rank favorably relative to other struggling counties. Health outcomes (70.0) are also respectable, providing a solid quality-of-life foundation.

Extremely low risk score signals vulnerability

At just 16.9, Cascade's risk score is by far the lowest in this cohort—indicating significant economic fragility, dependence on vulnerable industries, or demographic headwinds. This structural weakness undermines livability despite decent income and health metrics.

For pragmatic workers seeking urban amenities

Cascade appeals to employed families seeking reasonable wages and moderate health services who can tolerate economic uncertainty and don't demand fiscal prudence. It's best suited to those with job security or dual incomes buffering volatility.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.4Cost76.2SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.6Risk16.9WaterComing Soon
🏛76.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cascade County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sebastian County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $56,450
St. Francis County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $41,784
St. Joseph County
Indiana
65.6
Median income: $64,885
Bourbon County
Kansas
65.6
Median income: $67,555
Bossier Parish
Louisiana
65.6
Median income: $66,336

Deep Dives

Cascade County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cascade County

via TaxByCounty

Cascade County taxes exceed state average

At 0.919%, Cascade's effective tax rate sits above the national median of roughly 0.87%, positioning the county in the upper-middle tier nationally. The median tax bill of $2,236 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by a modest margin, despite a slightly lower home value.

Above-average rates in central Montana

Cascade's 0.919% effective rate ranks 20% above Montana's state average of 0.767%, making it one of the higher-taxing counties. The median tax bill of $2,236 exceeds the state median of $1,802 by $434, reflecting both rate and value.

Cascade leads central Montana in tax burden

Cascade's 0.919% rate significantly outpaces Chouteau County (0.781%), the nearest regional neighbor in this dataset. With a median home value of $243,300, Cascade residents face the second-highest median tax bill in the entire survey.

Annual tax bill on median home

A median-priced home valued at $243,300 in Cascade County generates an annual tax bill of approximately $2,236. With a mortgage, expect about $2,292; without one, roughly $2,139 annually.

Higher rates make assessments critical to review

At Cascade's 0.919% rate, assessment errors compound quickly—a $10,000 overvaluation costs $91 annually. Property owners should request a formal reassessment if comparable homes sold for less than their current appraisal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cascade County

via CostByCounty

Cascade County mirrors national affordability trends

Cascade County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio sits above the national norm, as renters earning $66,203 pay $902/month for housing. The county represents a moderate-to-challenging affordability landscape typical of many American mid-sized markets.

Cascade slightly above Montana state average

At 16.4%, Cascade's rent-to-income ratio modestly exceeds Montana's state average of 15.9%, positioning it as a moderate-challenge county. The county's higher incomes of $66,203 provide some cushion, but housing costs remain persistent.

Cascade balances higher income with higher rents

Cascade's $902 median rent is the region's second-highest, trailing only Broadwater ($978), while median incomes of $66,203 rank third. Monthly homeowner costs of $1,046 similarly reflect mid-to-high pricing, with home values of $243,300 exceeding most rural peers.

Housing absorbs roughly one-sixth of income

A Cascade County renter earning $66,203 spends approximately $902/month on housing—16.4% of gross income, a notable share for a rural Montana county. Homeowners dedicate $1,046/month to ownership costs—roughly 18.9% of income—pushing toward the financial strain threshold.

Cascade County: moderate challenge, reasonable balance

Relocating to Cascade County? The county's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio represents a moderate affordability challenge, though higher incomes than many rural peers help cushion the blow. Stack it against pricier Broadwater (18.4%), more affordable Blaine (12.7%), or Big Horn (14.5%) to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cascade County

via IncomeByCounty

Cascade County moderately trails national income

Cascade County's median household income of $66,203 falls about 11% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county performs better than most Montana rural peers, reflecting Great Falls' role as a regional economic hub.

Above average for Montana counties

At $66,203, Cascade's median household income runs about 6% above Montana's state average of $62,295. The county ranks among the state's stronger-earning regions, though below Carbon County's $71,017.

Cascade leads most western Montana

Cascade's $66,203 median income exceeds Blaine ($65,050), Broadwater ($63,636), Beaverhead ($58,072), and most peers, trailing only Carbon County's $71,017. Great Falls' diverse employment base creates this regional income advantage.

Balanced income and housing costs

Cascade's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% runs slightly above average, with median home values of $243,300 representing 3.7 years of household income. Housing affordability remains reasonable, supporting broader financial flexibility.

Cascade's platform for financial growth

Above-average incomes and moderate housing costs position Cascade households to build substantial retirement savings and home equity. Maximize employer retirement benefits and consider investment diversification beyond primary residence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cascade County

via HealthByCounty

Cascade slightly below national average

Cascade County's life expectancy of 75.5 years trails the U.S. average by 1 year. At 15.8% reporting poor or fair health, the rate is just below the national 18% average.

Below Montana's health average

Cascade's 75.5-year life expectancy falls 0.8 years short of Montana's 76.3-year state average. The county slightly underperforms the state baseline.

Mid-tier regional health outcomes

Cascade's 75.5-year life expectancy ranks below Broadwater (80.3) and Carbon (80.4) but ahead of Blaine (70.0) and Big Horn (64.6). Its 15.8% poor/fair health rate is moderate among regional peers.

Excellent mental health, decent primary care

Cascade shines with 406 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in the region—and solid 75 primary care providers per 100K. At 10.9% uninsured, coverage is better than state average.

Build on Cascade's mental health strength

Cascade's robust mental health infrastructure is a community asset. Ensure all residents access it by confirming coverage at healthcare.gov and connecting uninsured neighbors to plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cascade County

via RiskByCounty

Cascade County faces notably elevated national risk

Cascade County scores 83.14 on the composite risk index, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category and substantially above the national average. This score reflects exceptional flood risk (83.40), high wildfire risk (84.16), and significant earthquake exposure (71.76).

Montana's second-highest risk county

Cascade County ranks second among Montana's 56 counties with a composite score of 83.14, far exceeding the state average of 33.31. Only one other Montana county faces comparable multi-hazard exposure, making Cascade a critical focus for disaster preparedness.

Significantly higher risk than all regional peers

Cascade County's composite score (83.14) is far higher than neighboring Broadwater (17.68), Chouteau (39.47), and Blaine (45.87) counties. Its flood risk (83.40) and wildfire risk (84.16) are among the highest in the state, reflecting the county's position along major river systems and in fire-prone terrain.

Floods and wildfires dominate your risk landscape

Cascade County residents face exceptional flood risk (83.40) and wildfire risk (84.16), creating a compound disaster scenario that demands serious preparation. Earthquake risk (71.76) and tornado risk (20.80) are also above state averages, broadening your exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance is critical

Cascade County's exceptional exposure to floods and wildfires—both excluded from standard homeowners policies—means you must secure separate specialized coverage for both. Work with an insurance broker to ensure your policy adequately protects against your county's top threats, and maintain defensible space and flood preparedness as ongoing priorities.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.