CountyScore

Deer Lodge County

Montana · MT

#24 in Montana
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Deer Lodge County, Montana

Well above U.S. average livability

Deer Lodge County's score of 73.2 runs 46% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 72nd percentile nationwide. The county delivers strong livability fundamentals compared to most American regions.

Slightly above Montana average

Deer Lodge ranks third among the eight profiled counties with a score of 73.2, narrowly exceeding the state average of 72.1. It's one of Montana's stronger performers on the composite index.

Exceptional tax burden and stability

Deer Lodge boasts the lowest effective tax rate at 0.814% with a tax score of 79.4, and an excellent risk score of 82.4 indicating strong economic and environmental stability. Housing is also highly affordable, with a cost score of 84.1 and median home values of $209,700.

Income growth significantly trails peers

The income score of 15.7 is the lowest among all eight counties, with a median household income of just $49,533. This substantial income gap is Deer Lodge's primary livability constraint.

Ideal for low-income retirees

Deer Lodge County is best suited for retirees, Social Security recipients, and others with fixed incomes who prize affordability and tax efficiency. Its combination of ultra-low taxes, cheap housing, and strong stability makes it exceptionally livable on modest means.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.4Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.7Risk82.4WaterComing Soon
🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82.4
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 Deer Lodge County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Perry County
Alabama
73.2
Median income: $34,368
Crowley County
Colorado
73.2
Median income: $47,563
Jay County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $54,114
Putnam County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $76,182
Vermillion County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $59,363

Deep Dives

Deer Lodge County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Deer Lodge County

via TaxByCounty

Deer Lodge taxes below the nation's average

With an effective tax rate of 0.814%, Deer Lodge County sits slightly below the U.S. median of 0.84%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $1,706 is notably lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's more modest home valuations.

Below-average rates within Montana

Deer Lodge County's 0.814% effective tax rate runs modestly above Montana's state average of 0.767%, making it a relatively mild-tax county within the state's 56 counties. The median property tax of $1,706 falls short of the statewide median of $1,802, offering some relief to property owners.

Deer Lodge sits in the middle regionally

Deer Lodge's 0.814% rate falls between Custer (1.098%) to the east and the lower-tax western counties, positioning it as moderate within its region. The county's rate exceeds Fallon (0.573%) and Fergus (0.843%) in comparable range.

What Deer Lodge property taxes typically cost

A median-valued home of $209,700 results in an annual property tax of approximately $1,706 in Deer Lodge County. Homeowners with mortgages face a total of roughly $1,942 when mortgage-related assessments are included.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Inaccurate property assessments affect homeowners across all tax rates, and Deer Lodge County is no exception. Contact your county assessor to verify your home's assessed value matches the current market, potentially reducing your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Deer Lodge County

via CostByCounty

Deer Lodge: Low Income, Moderate Housing Burden

Deer Lodge County faces a challenging affordability scenario: rents consume 16% of income while median household income is just $49,533—the lowest in this Montana sample. Monthly rent of $661 is relatively modest, but against the county's thin wages, it creates meaningful budget strain for renters. This county illustrates how rural economic conditions can pressure even modest housing costs.

Deer Lodge Slightly Above Montana Average

At 16%, Deer Lodge's rent-to-income ratio nudges above Montana's 15.9% state average, reflecting both tight local wages and housing costs that haven't declined proportionally. Median income of $49,533 is substantially below the state's economic profile, indicating structural economic challenges beyond housing supply. Deer Lodge represents struggling rural Montana, where affordability issues stem from income weakness rather than housing inflation.

Deer Lodge: Lowest Income in the Region

Deer Lodge's median household income of $49,533 trails every other county in this sample, falling short of Daniels County ($58,000) by nearly $8,500 annually. Rent here ($661) is reasonable in absolute terms but burdensome relative to local earnings, revealing an income gap problem rather than a housing cost problem. The county's historical mining economy has not smoothly transitioned to modern employment.

Deer Lodge's Wage-Housing Mismatch

Renters earning a median of $49,533 annually ($4,128 monthly) spend $661 on rent—16% of income, edging above comfort thresholds. Homeowners fare somewhat better at $827 monthly, though that still consumes nearly 20% of median income, an unsustainable ratio for most families. The county's real challenge is wage stagnation, not housing cost explosion.

Deer Lodge: Consider Job Market First

Deer Lodge offers the lowest rents in this sample and modest home values ($209,700), but the county's weak median income signals limited job opportunities for relocating workers. Retirees or those with remote income may find Deer Lodge affordable, but job seekers should verify employment prospects before committing. The county's economic transition remains incomplete, affecting long-term affordability stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Deer Lodge County

via IncomeByCounty

Deer Lodge faces income headwinds

Deer Lodge County's median household income of $49,533 ranks nearly $25,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places it among Montana's most economically challenged counties.

Montana's lowest-earning county

Deer Lodge's $49,533 median sits nearly $13,000 below the state average of $62,295, making it among the lowest-income counties statewide. The county's economy struggles with legacy industries and limited diversification.

Significantly behind regional peers

Deer Lodge trails all nearby comparison counties, falling $14,000+ behind Fallon ($72,284) and well behind Fergus ($59,731). The income gap signals deeper structural economic challenges in the county.

Housing pressures mount despite low prices

Though Deer Lodge's median home value is $209,700, the 16% rent-to-income ratio compresses household budgets on lower absolute income. Families here feel housing pressure more acutely than their stronger-earning neighbors.

Small steps toward financial stability

At $49,533, building wealth requires discipline and patience, but it's still achievable through employer benefits and micro-investing. Focus on debt reduction, emergency savings, and exploring workforce development opportunities to raise earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Deer Lodge County

via HealthByCounty

Deer Lodge faces health headwinds

At 75.2 years, Deer Lodge County's life expectancy ranks among the nation's lowest, running 1.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 16.6% of residents in poor or fair health, the county carries above-average chronic disease burden and preventable mortality.

State's shortest life expectancy

Deer Lodge County ranks at the bottom of Montana's health outcomes, with life expectancy of 75.2 years—a full 1.1 years below the state average of 76.3 years. The county's 11.4% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, offering modest insurance protection.

Strong primary care, excellent mental health

Deer Lodge County punches above its weight in provider supply, offering 84 primary care providers and 589 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest densities in Montana. Despite robust health infrastructure, life expectancy remains the state's lowest, suggesting deep upstream health challenges.

Good access doesn't guarantee good health

Deer Lodge County residents enjoy excellent provider access with 84 primary care doctors per 100,000—yet the county suffers the state's shortest life expectancy at 75.2 years. This paradox reflects broader socioeconomic factors like poverty, substance abuse, and limited health literacy that providers alone cannot solve.

Get covered and get better

If you're uninsured in Deer Lodge County, the 11.4% who lack coverage face higher risk for preventable illness and death. Healthcare.gov and local navigators can connect you with affordable plans—a critical first step toward the care that can improve your health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Deer Lodge County

via RiskByCounty

Deer Lodge: Low Risk, High Complexity

With a composite score of 17.59, Deer Lodge County ranks as "Very Low" risk nationally, yet this masks significant earthquake exposure at 49.97. Your relatively safe overall profile hides concentrated seismic and wildfire threats worth understanding.

Among Montana's Safer Counties

Deer Lodge's score of 17.59 places it well below the state average of 33.31, ranking it among Montana's safer jurisdictions. However, earthquake risk (49.97) elevates it above many equally-rated peers.

Moderate Risk in Mountain Region

Deer Lodge County (17.59) sits safely below Flathead (86.45) and Gallatin (80.98), though its earthquake score of 49.97 exceeds most regional neighbors. Your location in southwestern Montana's mining country contributes to seismic sensitivity.

Earthquakes and Wildfire Concentrate Risk

Earthquake risk dominates Deer Lodge at 49.97, while wildfire (73.60) poses your second major threat. Floods (10.53) and tornadoes (5.53) represent minimal exposure.

Don't Overlook Earthquake Coverage

Deer Lodge homeowners should ensure earthquake insurance is part of their risk management plan, given your 49.97 seismic score. Wildfire insurance and defensible space maintenance are equally critical for property 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.