countyscore
49.8
County Score
Cost of Living 67.7Income & Jobs 65.1Health 60.1

County Report Card

About Dawson County, Montana

Dawson County nears the national median

Dawson County holds a composite score of 47.7, sitting just below the national benchmark of 50.0. This score reflects a community that balances strong individual earnings against significant infrastructure challenges.

Trailing the Montana state average

At 47.7, Dawson County ranks lower than the Montana average score of 56.4. The county faces specific hurdles in taxation and school performance that pull its ranking below state leaders.

Strong earnings and health access

High earning potential is a major draw, evidenced by an income score of 68.7 and a median household income of $70,953. Residents also benefit from a solid health score of 60.1, indicating reliable access to medical services.

Infrastructure and tax concerns

The county faces a difficult water score of 13.2 and a low tax score of 26.8, driven by an effective tax rate of 1.173%. Additionally, the school score of 38.8 suggests room for improvement in the local educational system.

A hub for working professionals

Dawson County is best suited for working professionals who prioritize higher incomes and affordable $187,400 homes. It appeals to those willing to trade higher taxes and infrastructure scores for strong local economic opportunities.

2040608010026.667.757.160.138.865.136.213.232Tax26.6Cost67.7Safety57.1Health60.1Schools38.8Income65.1Risk36.2Water13.2Weather3249.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Dawson County DNA

Foverall

How Dawson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Dawson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (67.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (13.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
26.6-25.4
Cost
67.7+19.700000000000003
Safety
57.1
Health
60.1+10.100000000000001
Schools
38.8-15.200000000000003
Income
65.1+14.099999999999994
Risk
36.2-10.799999999999997
Water
13.2-44.8
Weather
32-24
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Think property taxes are too high in Dawson County?

Many homeowners in Dawson County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$185,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$815/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$185,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,334/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Wibaux County
Montana
65.7
Prairie County
Montana
65.6
Richland County
Montana
52.3
McCone County
Montana
73.7
Golden Valley County
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71.6
Custer County
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49.7
Roosevelt County
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46.7
Fallon County
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75.1

Deep Dives

Dawson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dawson County

via TaxByCounty

Dawson's taxes among the nation's highest

Dawson County's effective tax rate of 1.173% ranks in the 85th percentile nationally, placing it squarely in the upper tier of American counties. Though the median annual tax of $2,199 trails the national median of $2,690, the rate itself is markedly steeper due to Dawson's lower home values.

Dawson ranks highest in Montana

At 1.173%, Dawson County has the highest effective tax rate among Montana's 56 counties, 53% above the state average of 0.767%. The median property tax of $2,199 ranks second statewide, exceeded only by Flathead and Gallatin counties.

Dawson leads the region in tax burden

Dawson County's 1.173% rate significantly outpaces every neighboring county in eastern and central Montana, including Custer (1.098%), Fergus (0.843%), and Fallon (0.573%). The county stands out as the regional tax leader by a substantial margin.

Annual taxes on a Dawson County home

A median-valued home of $187,400 carries an estimated annual property tax of $2,199 in Dawson County. With mortgage-related assessments, this climbs to approximately $2,493 for financed properties.

Appeal your assessment in high-tax counties

Counties with rates as high as Dawson's often see higher rates of overassessment; many homeowners never challenge inflated values. Filing an appeal with the assessor's office is free and can substantially lower your tax bill if your home's valuation exceeds fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dawson County

via IncomeByCounty

Dawson nears the U.S. benchmark

Dawson County's median household income of $70,953 sits $3,802 below the national median of $74,755, putting it in the upper-middle tier for the country. The county significantly outpaces Montana's state average of $62,295.

Among Montana's stronger earners

At $70,953, Dawson ranks above the state average by roughly $8,650, placing it in Montana's upper third for household income. This reflects a more diverse economy and higher average wages in the region.

Outearns most nearby counties

Dawson's $70,953 median beats Custer ($63,585) and Fergus ($59,731), trailing only Fallon ($72,284) and Flathead ($71,327) among nearby counties. The county enjoys one of the strongest income profiles in northeastern Montana.

Housing costs stay manageable

Dawson's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio signals healthy affordability, well below the 30% warning threshold. With a median home value of $187,400 and relatively strong income, households enjoy solid financial breathing room.

Invest in tomorrow today

Dawson residents earning $70,953 can comfortably cover basics and still allocate 10–15% of income to retirement savings and investments. Leverage this advantage to build long-term wealth through consistent, diversified investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dawson County

via CrimeByCounty

Dawson County Offers Strong Protection

Dawson County boasts a safety score of 98.4, reflecting a total crime rate of only 987.1 per 100,000. This is remarkably lower than the national average of 2,385.5, indicating a very secure local environment.

Leading the State in Public Safety

Dawson County is safer than the average Montana county, with a crime rate of 987.1 compared to the state average of 1,112.5. Its safety score matches the high standards of neighboring Custer County.

Steady Safety in the Region

Dawson County's crime rate of 987.1 is slightly lower than Custer County's 1,011.9, showing regional consistency in safety. Both counties perform significantly better than the state's larger urban hubs.

Violent Crime Remains Relatively Low

The violent crime rate of 302.9 per 100,000 is below the national average of 369.8. Property crime makes up the bulk of local reports at 684.2, though this is still a fraction of the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Proactive Steps for Homeowners

Because property crime is the most common local issue, residents should ensure homes and vehicles are always locked. Simple deterrents like visible security cameras can help keep Dawson County's crime rates trending downward.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dawson County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate temperatures for the north

Dawson County averages 46.6°F annually, positioned as a relatively temperate zone within the context of the northern United States. The area is quite dry, receiving only 14.7 inches of precipitation per year.

Warmest in the region

Dawson sits 2.9°F above the Montana state average of 43.7°F, making it one of the state's warmer counties. Its annual precipitation is nearly identical to the state average, providing a representative look at Montana's plains climate.

Leading the eastern pack

At 46.6°F, Dawson is slightly warmer than its neighbor Custer County at 46.4°F. It is significantly more temperate than Daniels County to the north, which averages over 6 degrees colder.

Hot summers and dry snow

July brings intense heat with 38 days topping 90°F and an average temperature of 74.0°F. Snowfall is modest at 23.1 inches, often arriving in dry, wind-blown bursts during the 21.6°F average winter months.

Equipping for the sun

Summer cooling is a major consideration, as the county experiences over a month's worth of extreme heat days. High-SPF sun protection and ventilated gear are necessary for outdoor work during the 71.0°F average summer season.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dawson County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly Alkaline Eastern Montana Soil

Dawson County has an average pH of 7.52, which is more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. This figure also slightly exceeds the Montana state average of 7.43. These levels are common for the region and generally require minimal lime but may need sulfur for acid-loving plants.

A Silty Foundation for Farming

The soil mix contains 35.1% sand, 42.3% silt, and 22.6% clay. This silty profile makes the ground relatively easy to work while maintaining enough clay to hold onto essential nutrients. It provides a stable base for both native grasses and cultivated crops.

Strong Water Retention Capabilities

Organic matter sits at 2.14%, which is higher than the national average of 2.0% but below the state's 2.54%. Interestingly, its available water capacity of 0.168 in/in is better than the state average of 0.165. This helps the county maintain a soil score of 41.2, nearing the state average.

Managing Water in Silty Terrain

Official drainage class data is currently unavailable, but the high silt content suggests moderate water movement. Farmers should be aware that silty soils can sometimes crust over after heavy rains, potentially impacting seed emergence. Proper residue management can help mitigate these surface issues.

Hardy Options for Zone 4a

In USDA Hardiness Zone 4a, growers should focus on crops that can withstand late spring frosts. Wheat, barley, and hardy root vegetables perform well in this soil and climate combination. The slightly above-average water capacity gives your plants a fighting chance during dry spells.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dawson County

via LawnByCounty

Hardy Lawns for Dawson County

Dawson County scores 35.5 on the lawn difficulty index, placing it just above the state average of 33.4. Residents in Hardiness Zone 4a must manage a climate that is significantly more arid and volatile than the national average.

High Heat and Thirsty Turf

At 14.7 inches of annual rain, the county falls far short of the 30-inch ideal for standard lawns. With 38 days of extreme heat, cool-season grasses will likely go dormant in mid-summer without supplemental irrigation during the 2,733 growing degree days.

Navigating Alkaline Clay Mixes

The soil pH of 7.52 is slightly high for turf, often requiring sulfur amendments to unlock nutrients. A composition of 22.6% clay and 35.1% sand means the ground can become quite hard, making core aeration a vital annual task.

Managing 32 Weeks of Drought

The county has endured 32 weeks of drought over the past year, with 70.3% of the land remaining abnormally dry. Implementing xeriscaping around lawn edges can reduce the overall water demand for your property.

Optimizing the Growing Season

The growing season kicks off after the last frost on May 3 and stretches until October 4, providing a decent window for establishment. Hardened varieties of Bluegrass or Crested Wheatgrass are recommended for these specific Montana conditions.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dawson County's county score?
Dawson County, Montana has a composite county score of 49.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Dawson County rank among counties in Montana?
Dawson County ranks #41 among all counties in Montana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Dawson County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Dawson County is $2,110, with an effective tax rate of 1.14%. This earns Dawson County a tax score of 26.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dawson County?
The median household income in Dawson County, Montana is $71,334 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dawson County earns an income score of 65.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dawson County, Montana a good place to live?
Dawson County scores 49.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Dawson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Dawson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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