CountyScore

Golden Valley County

Montana · MT

#6 in Montana
77.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Golden Valley County, Montana

Golden Valley exceeds national performance

Golden Valley's composite score of 77.9 puts it at approximately the 56th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. The county delivers livability that outpaces most American regions.

Among Montana's top-tier counties

At 77.9, Golden Valley ranks above the state average of 72.1, earning a place in the upper echelon of Montana's 56 counties. The county competes favorably with the state's most livable rural alternatives.

Taxes and risk management excel

Golden Valley boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at just 0.509% and an exceptional risk score of 99.0. The county also offers affordable housing with a median home value of $203,900 and rent at $769/month.

Income levels lag behind peers

The income score of 20.8 reflects a median household income of $57,353, limiting wealth accumulation despite low costs. This imbalance between affordability and earning potential is the county's most notable weakness.

Perfect for tax-conscious families

Golden Valley attracts families and remote workers seeking minimal tax burden and maximum financial stability. The county suits entrepreneurs and business owners looking for Montana's best combination of low taxes and affordable living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost84.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk99WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99
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 Golden Valley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tucker County
West Virginia
77.9
Median income: $53,475
Ouray County
Colorado
78
Median income: $84,556
Warren County
Indiana
78
Median income: $74,635
Jones County
South Dakota
78
Median income: $64,688
Keweenaw County
Michigan
77.8
Median income: $53,893

Deep Dives

Golden Valley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Golden Valley County

via TaxByCounty

Golden Valley offers Montana's lowest taxes

Golden Valley's effective rate of 0.509% ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the 0.84% national median. At just $1,038 in median property taxes, it delivers exceptional tax relief compared to the $2,690 national median.

Second-lowest tax rate in Montana

Golden Valley's 0.509% effective rate ranks second-best statewide, trailing only Judith Basin's 0.453%. Montana homeowners save roughly $764 annually compared to this county, making it a tax haven for budget-conscious property owners.

Best rate in the central Montana region

Golden Valley's 0.509% tax rate beats every neighboring county, edging out Judith Basin (0.453%) and Garfield (0.656%). Only Judith Basin offers comparable relief in this part of the state.

About $1,038 yearly on median home

The median Golden Valley property, valued at $203,900, generates annual taxes of just $1,038—less than $87 per month. Homeowners with mortgages pay an additional $485 annually through escrow.

Still verify your assessment annually

Even in low-tax counties, property assessments can drift above fair market value, inflating your bill. Review Golden Valley's assessment notices and consider filing an appeal if your home's valuation exceeds recent arm's-length sales nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Golden Valley County

via CostByCounty

Housing eats a bigger slice here

Golden Valley's rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% exceeds both the national threshold and Montana's average, signaling tighter affordability. The median household income of $57,353 sits $17,402 below the national average, making the higher housing cost burden more acute.

Below-average wages, above-average ratios

At 16.1%, Golden Valley's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Montana's worst, indicating housing costs consume more income here than statewide. The median rent of $769 is competitive, but local incomes lag, creating the squeeze.

Pricier than Judith Basin, tighter budgets

Golden Valley's $769 rent falls between Judith Basin's bargain $502 and Granite County's $734, but lower local wages make that difference more painful. Homeowners face $664 monthly costs, comparable to Granite but with lower earning power.

Rent rises, income stays flat

Renters spend $769 monthly while owners pay $664 on a median household income of just $57,353, leaving limited flexibility for other costs. The 16.1% ratio means housing stress is a real issue for Golden Valley residents.

Only relocate if income travels with you

Golden Valley's rents are reasonable, but local wages won't stretch far—this is a county to consider only if you bring steady outside income or remote work. Compare to Judith Basin's exceptional affordability just nearby.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Golden Valley County

via IncomeByCounty

Golden Valley below national income average

Golden Valley County's median household income of $57,353 falls $17,402 short of the $74,755 national median. The county earns roughly 77% of the national average, typical of rural Montana communities.

Below-average earnings within Montana

Golden Valley's $57,353 median household income sits noticeably below Montana's $62,295 state average, placing it in the lower half of these eight surveyed counties. Its per capita income of $33,523 also trails the state mean of $35,700.

Mixed standing among nearby counties

Golden Valley outearns Glacier County ($45,129) and Hill County ($55,313) but trails Garfield County ($61,750) and significantly lags Jefferson County ($76,576). The county represents mid-range earnings within this rural Montana region.

Rent is affordable; homes are pricier

At 16.1%, Golden Valley's rent-to-income ratio remains comfortably below the 30% threshold, supporting affordability for renters. However, the median home value of $203,900 represents 3.6 years of median income, requiring substantial savings for homeownership.

Leverage affordable housing for investment

Golden Valley's manageable rent burden creates space to direct savings toward down payments or retirement accounts. With moderate incomes, residents should focus on consistent, low-cost investment strategies like employer 401(k) plans and index funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Golden Valley County

via HealthByCounty

Health status above national average

While life expectancy data for Golden Valley County isn't currently available, the 20.4% poor/fair health rate is below the national average of 21%. This suggests residents generally enjoy better health outcomes than the typical American county.

Moderate health outcomes statewide

Golden Valley County's 20.4% poor/fair health rate falls in the middle range for this Montana sample, and its 11.8% uninsured rate is virtually identical to the state average of 11.9%. The county's 120 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is the highest among the eight counties.

Best primary care access in region

Golden Valley's 120 primary care providers per 100,000 residents significantly exceeds Granite County's 30 and Judith Basin's missing data, making it a primary care hub. However, its 20.4% poor/fair health rate trails better-performing neighbors like Jefferson County at 13.8%.

Strong primary care, limited mental health data

Golden Valley stands out with 120 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring most people have access to routine care and preventive services. Mental health provider data isn't available, but the robust primary care network positions residents well for managing chronic conditions.

Maintain coverage with primary care

Golden Valley's excellent primary care infrastructure means regular checkups and preventive services are accessible—but only if you're insured. Check Healthcare.gov or contact 1-800-318-2596 to ensure your coverage stays current and take advantage of the county's strong provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Golden Valley County

via RiskByCounty

Golden Valley is exceptionally safe

With a composite risk score of just 0.99, Golden Valley County ranks among the safest counties in the entire nation. Your county experiences very low natural disaster risk across all hazard types.

Montana's safest county overall

Golden Valley's composite score of 0.99 is the lowest in Montana, far below the state average of 33.31. Your county represents the gold standard for natural disaster resilience in the state.

Safest in its region by far

Golden Valley (0.99) is significantly safer than neighboring Garfield (2.48), Granite (9.38), and Judith Basin (5.50). Your county enjoys exceptional protection compared to all surrounding counties.

Wildfire poses modest regional concern

Wildfire risk (57.44) is your county's most significant hazard, though it remains below state and national averages. Flood (5.60), earthquake (11.42), and tornado (3.82) risks all stay well below typical thresholds.

Maintain basic wildfire protection

Confirm your homeowner's policy covers wildfire, and maintain defensible space around structures as a precaution. Your low overall risk means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate 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.