CountyScore

Dawson County

Montana · MT

#44 in Montana
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Dawson County, Montana

Solidly above national livability

Dawson County scores 67.9, positioning it 36% above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 65% of U.S. counties. It delivers above-average livability across most measured dimensions.

Mid-tier within Montana

Dawson ranks fifth among the eight profiled Montana counties with a score of 67.9, just below the state average of 72.1. The county holds a respectable but unexceptional position statewide.

Strong income and reasonable costs

Dawson leads its peers in median household income at $70,953, earning an income score of 29.7 that tops most Montana counties here. Housing affordability is solid too, with a cost score of 81.5 and median home values of $187,400.

Risk exposure is a concern

Dawson's risk score of 36.2 is among the lowest in this group, suggesting elevated economic or environmental pressures relative to state peers. The effective tax rate of 1.173% also trails the lowest-tax counties.

For income earners seeking value

Dawson County appeals to working families and entrepreneurs who value earning potential and reasonable housing costs. Its higher incomes make it attractive for those less constrained by budget but still seeking rural Montana living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.3Cost81.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk36.2WaterComing Soon
🏛69.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.2
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 Dawson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

Dawson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Dawson County

via CostByCounty

Dawson: Balanced Housing-to-Income Equation

Dawson County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% sits comfortably below both the national and Montana state average, reflecting solid affordability for renters. Median household income of $70,953 is closer to the national median ($74,755) than most Montana rural counties, while rents of $823 remain moderate. This combination positions Dawson as an accessible housing market for working families.

Dawson Outperforms Montana on Affordability

At 13.9%, Dawson County beats Montana's state average of 15.9% for rent-to-income ratios, placing it among the more livable counties statewide. Monthly rents near the state median ($823 vs. $825) pair with above-average local income, creating favorable conditions for renters. Dawson represents the sweet spot of Montana's housing market—not inflated by tourism, but economically stable.

Dawson Sits Between Custer and Fallon

Dawson's $823 monthly rent falls between Custer County's pricier $918 and Fallon County's $772, offering a middle ground in eastern Montana. Home values of $187,400 are the lowest among these eastern peers, making Dawson competitive for both renters and homebuyers. The county balances affordability with relative economic stability in this regional cluster.

Dawson's Housing: Sustainable for Local Wages

Renters in Dawson spend $823 monthly on an income of $70,953 annually, consuming just 13.9% of earnings—a healthy ratio that leaves room for savings and other costs. Homeowners pay $796 monthly, slightly less than renters, reflecting an unusual dynamic where ownership remains more accessible than renting. This dual affordability makes Dawson attractive to mixed-income households.

Dawson: Eastern Montana's Balanced Choice

Dawson County offers solid affordability without the extreme isolation of far-eastern counties, with reasonable rents and ownership costs aligned to local wages. The county's energy sector provides economic diversity and stability, appealing to those seeking job security beyond seasonal tourism. If you want Montana without extreme remoteness or inflated costs, Dawson deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Dawson County

via HealthByCounty

Dawson lags national life expectancy

At 75.3 years, Dawson County residents live more than a year less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting chronic health challenges in this rural area. Nearly one in six residents (16.3%) report poor or fair health, above national benchmarks and signaling higher disease burden.

Among Montana's shortest-lived counties

Dawson County's life expectancy of 75.3 years ranks significantly below Montana's state average of 76.3 years, placing it in the lower tier of health outcomes statewide. The county's uninsured rate of 8.4% stands well below the state average of 11.9%, a rare bright spot in coverage.

Primary care supply lags, mental health moderate

Dawson County provides just 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, among the lowest in eastern Montana and suggesting longer waits for routine care. Mental health provider availability at 261 per 100,000 is reasonable, though below state averages for behavioral health resources.

Strong insurance coverage, weak provider access

Only 8.4% of Dawson County residents lack insurance—the best coverage rate among these eight counties—yet primary care availability remains constrained at 45 providers per 100,000. This mismatch means many insured residents still struggle to find and schedule appointments with local doctors.

Protect yourself with health insurance

If you're among the 8.4% of Dawson County residents without coverage, enrollment assistance is available through Montana's state portal and local community health centers. Quality insurance today helps prevent the high-cost emergency care that strains rural health systems tomorrow.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dawson County

via RiskByCounty

Dawson's Risk Exceeds National Norms

Dawson County's composite risk score of 63.80 places it well above the national average baseline. Your "Relatively Low" rating reflects significant natural disaster exposure, particularly from wildfire and flood events.

Above-Average Risk for Montana

At 63.80, Dawson ranks in Montana's upper-middle risk tier, nearly double the state average of 33.31. Your county faces notably elevated hazard exposure compared to most Montana communities.

Elevated Risk in Regional Context

Dawson County (63.80) significantly outpaces Fallon County (5.41) and Daniels County (1.81) to the north and east, though it remains safer than Flathead (86.45) and Gallatin (80.98) counties. Your central-eastern location exposes you to moderate wildfire and flood threats.

Wildfire and Flood Lead Your Threats

Wildfire at 59.57 is Dawson's dominant hazard, followed closely by flood risk at 28.15. Tornadoes (25.13) present a secondary but noteworthy threat, while earthquake risk (15.01) remains minimal.

Bundle Fire and Flood Protection

Dawson County residents should prioritize both wildfire and flood insurance, especially those in riparian zones or fire-prone areas. Adding earthquake coverage to your policy costs little and provides comprehensive protection.

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.