Fallon County

Montana · MT

#8 in Montana
77.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Fallon County, Montana

Among America's most livable counties

Fallon County's score of 77.4 exceeds the national median by 55%, ranking in the 78th percentile of U.S. counties. Few American regions offer this combination of affordability and livability.

Montana's livability co-leader

Fallon ties for second place among the eight profiled Montana counties with a score of 77.4, well above the state average of 72.1. It ranks among the state's elite performers.

Lowest taxes and top-tier safety

Fallon leads all counties profiled with the lowest effective tax rate of 0.573% and a tax score of 86.1. Its exceptional risk score of 94.6 signals outstanding economic stability and environmental safety.

Income remains modest despite strong score

The income score of 30.6 and median household income of $72,284 are respectable but not exceptional compared to larger Montana metros. Housing costs are also slightly higher at $772/month rent, though still affordable.

Perfect for tax-conscious families

Fallon County is tailor-made for families and retirees who prioritize low taxes, safety, and economic stability over maximum earning potential. Its combination of minimal tax burden and strong resilience makes it one of Montana's most pragmatic choices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.1Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk94.6WaterComing Soon
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
94.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Fallon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fallon County

via TaxByCounty

Fallon County taxes are among lowest nationally

Fallon County's effective tax rate of 0.573% ranks in the 25th percentile nationwide, putting it among America's lowest-tax counties. The median annual tax of $1,359 trails the national median of $2,690, thanks partly to both low rates and moderate home values averaging $237,000.

Montana's most tax-friendly county

At 0.573%, Fallon County has the lowest effective tax rate of any Montana county, 25% below the state average of 0.767%. The median property tax of $1,359 represents the lowest in the state, offering homeowners significant savings compared to peers statewide.

Fallon leads the region in tax relief

Fallon County's 0.573% rate dramatically undercuts every neighboring county, including Custer (1.098%), Dawson (1.173%), and Fergus (0.843%). The county stands as a tax haven within eastern and central Montana.

Annual taxes on a Fallon County property

A median-valued home of $237,000 carries an annual property tax of roughly $1,359 in Fallon County. The figure drops slightly to $1,346 for mortgaged properties and rises modestly to $1,379 for properties owned outright.

Ensure your Fallon assessment stays accurate

Even in low-tax counties, overassessment can occur, eroding the natural tax advantage Fallon residents enjoy. Periodically confirming your assessed value with the assessor keeps your tax bill fair and may reveal savings you're leaving on the table.

Cost of Living in Fallon County

via CostByCounty

Fallon: Affordable Rents, Strong Local Wages

Fallon County delivers excellent affordability, with renters spending just 12.8% of income on housing while earning a healthy median of $72,284. Monthly rent of $772 remains modest, and local wages are nearly at national median levels, creating favorable conditions for renters and buyers. This county demonstrates how balanced economic conditions produce genuine housing affordability.

Fallon Beats Montana on Affordability Metrics

At 12.8%, Fallon County's rent-to-income ratio significantly outperforms Montana's 15.9% state average, placing it among the state's most livable counties. Median household income of $72,284 ranks in the upper tier for Montana rural counties, supporting the county's strong affordability position. Fallon represents economic stability and balanced housing markets in eastern Montana.

Fallon: The Value Leader of Eastern Montana

Fallon's $772 monthly rent is the cheapest among its eastern neighbors, undercutting Custer ($918) by $146 and matching Daniels County as an affordability champion. Home values of $237,000 are notably higher than neighboring Custer and Dawson, yet affordability remains strong due to Fallon's above-average income levels. The county offers excellent value-to-income ratios across both rental and ownership markets.

Fallon's Sustainable Housing-Income Balance

With median income of $72,284 annually ($6,024 monthly), Fallon renters spending $772 on rent consume only 12.8%—well below the 15% affordability benchmark. Homeowners pay $878 monthly, just 14.6% of median income, making both rental and ownership highly accessible relative to local earnings. Fallon demonstrates what happens when wages and housing costs align favorably.

Fallon: Eastern Montana's Sweet Spot

Fallon County combines exceptional affordability (12.8% rent-to-income ratio) with above-average local wages, making it ideal for families prioritizing both stability and low housing costs. Home values averaging $237,000 are higher than neighboring counties, but remain manageable given strong median income, suggesting solid long-term investment potential. If you're relocating to eastern Montana, Fallon's economic fundamentals are among the strongest in the region.

Income & Jobs in Fallon County

via IncomeByCounty

Fallon income rivals national median

Fallon County's median household income of $72,284 falls just $2,471 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places Fallon in the upper-middle tier nationally and represents strong regional performance.

Among Montana's top earners

At $72,284, Fallon ranks roughly $10,000 above the state average of $62,295, placing it in Montana's upper tier for household income. The county boasts one of the strongest median incomes statewide.

Fallon leads the eastern region

Fallon's $72,284 tops neighboring Custer ($63,585), Fergus ($59,731), and Daniels ($58,000), though trails Flathead ($71,327). The county anchors eastern Montana's higher-income communities.

Excellent affordability and income mix

Fallon's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio is excellent, giving households comfortable affordability even with a median home value of $237,000. The combination of strong income and manageable housing costs creates genuine financial security.

Accelerate wealth-building strategies

Fallon residents earning $72,284 have substantial capacity to save, invest, and plan for retirement. With housing costs well-controlled, households can allocate 15–20% of income to retirement accounts, education funds, and long-term investments.

Health in Fallon County

via HealthByCounty

Fallon outpaces national health benchmarks

At 76.8 years, Fallon County residents live 0.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting strong community health outcomes. Only 14.8% report poor or fair health—below national averages—indicating lower chronic disease prevalence in this resilient county.

Montana's health leader

Fallon County's life expectancy of 76.8 years ranks among Montana's best, exceeding the state average of 76.3 years by half a year. The county's uninsured rate of 9.3% also beats the state average of 11.9%, showing strong insurance coverage and health stability.

Exceptional primary care infrastructure

Fallon County leads its region with 99 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the highest density among these eight counties and ensuring quick access to routine care. Mental health provider data is unavailable, but primary care strength suggests a well-resourced health system.

Strong coverage fuels preventive care

With only 9.3% uninsured—the lowest rate in this county group—nearly all Fallon residents have insurance access and can pursue preventive care. The county's 99 primary care providers per 100,000 ensures short waits and continuous care relationships that boost health outcomes.

Join Fallon's insured majority

If you're among the 9.3% of Fallon County residents without health insurance, coverage is within reach through Healthcare.gov or state marketplace options. Fallon's strong health outcomes show what insurance access and provider availability can achieve—you deserve the same protection.

Disaster Risk in Fallon County

via RiskByCounty

Fallon Among Nation's Safest Counties

Fallon County's composite risk score of 5.41 ranks it among America's lowest-risk jurisdictions. Your "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure across the full spectrum of natural disasters.

Montana's Second-Safest County

At 5.41, Fallon ranks as Montana's second-safest county after Daniels (1.81), with a score far below the state average of 33.31. This exceptional safety profile distinguishes Fallon across all metrics.

Safest in Eastern Montana

Fallon County (5.41) far outpaces Custer (42.14), Fergus (45.10), and Dawson (63.80), establishing it as eastern Montana's risk leader. Your plains location and distance from seismic zones provide substantial natural protection.

Wildfire Alone Merits Attention

Wildfire at 56.52 is Fallon's only elevated hazard, though it remains moderate in absolute terms. Floods (5.53), tornadoes (10.53), and earthquakes (7.82) pose minimal threats.

Standard Coverage Provides Solid Protection

Fallon residents benefit from minimal disaster risk; standard homeowners insurance adequately covers your exposure. Basic fire precautions and standard policies position you well against Montana's natural hazards.

ByCounty Network

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