countyscore
58.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 90.6Cost of Living 85.8Property Tax 71.6

County Report Card

About Granite County, Montana

Solid Performance Above National Benchmarks

Granite County earns a composite score of 57.4, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It provides a stable environment that stacks up well against rural counties across the country.

Aligned with Montana Averages

With a score of 57.4, Granite County sits just above the Montana state average of 56.4. It offers a quintessential Montana experience that balances cost and community safety.

Resilient and Affordable Living

Low natural disaster risk and affordable housing are highlights, with scores of 90.6 and 80.4 respectively. The 0.607% effective tax rate is another strong draw for budget-conscious residents.

Water Quality and Economic Gaps

Water quality presents a significant challenge with a score of only 1.9. Economic mobility is also limited, as shown by an income score of 24.4 and a median household income of $54,646.

Ideal for the Self-Sufficient

Granite County is best for those who appreciate mountain living and are prepared to handle localized water infrastructure issues. It suits retirees or those with portable careers who prioritize a low-tax, low-risk environment.

2040608010071.685.843.458.944.531.590.61.939.5Tax71.6Cost85.8Safety43.4Health58.9Schools44.5Income31.5Risk90.6Water1.9Weather39.558.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Granite County DNA

Foverall

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

Granite County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.6/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
71.6+19.599999999999994
Cost
85.8+37.8
Safety
43.4-11.600000000000001
Health
58.9+8.899999999999999
Schools
44.5-9.5
Income
31.5-19.5
Risk
90.6+43.599999999999994
Water
1.9-56.1
Weather
39.5-16.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Granite County?

Many homeowners in Granite 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

$352,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$675/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$352,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,265/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Granite County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Granite County

via TaxByCounty

Granite's tax rate near national median

Granite County's effective rate of 0.607% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $2,061 mirrors national patterns, though Granite homes are valued higher at $339,500 versus the national median of $281,900.

Below Montana's average across the board

At 0.607% effective rate, Granite County ranks in the lower half of Montana's 56 counties, paying less than the state average of 0.767%. The $2,061 median tax reflects higher-value properties typical of this mountainous region.

Mid-range among southwest Montana peers

Granite's 0.607% rate sits between Jefferson County's 0.557% and Lake County's 0.660%, offering moderate relief in southwest Montana. Property values here are notably higher, resulting in mid-range absolute tax bills despite favorable rates.

About $2,061 yearly on median home

A median Granite County home valued at $339,500 results in annual property taxes of $2,061, or roughly $172 per month. Mortgage-holders pay an additional $75 annually in escrow taxes.

Challenge assessments on higher-value homes

Properties valued above $300,000 can accumulate significant overassessment costs quickly—a 5% inflated valuation costs $1,000+ annually. Granite County homeowners should compare their assessments to recent comparable sales and appeal if values don't align.

Income & Jobs in Granite County

via IncomeByCounty

Granite lags behind national income levels

Granite County's median household income of $54,646 falls $20,109 below the national median of $74,755. The county earns roughly 73% of the national average, reflecting broader rural income challenges.

Below Montana's state average earnings

Granite County's $54,646 median household income trails Montana's $62,295 state average by about $7,650. However, its per capita income of $36,922 exceeds the state mean of $35,700, suggesting wealth is distributed among fewer, higher-earning individuals.

Lower household income, higher individual wealth

Granite County's median household income ranks below most neighbors, but its per capita income of $36,922 places it among the highest in this group. This paradox suggests the county has a smaller number of wealthier residents alongside lower-earning households.

High home values strain budget affordability

Granite's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio appears manageable, but the median home value of $339,500 tells a different story—it represents 6.2 years of median household income. This exceptional gap signals that homeownership here requires external wealth or significant financial sacrifice.

Focus on income growth strategies

Granite County residents face an unusual challenge: modest median household income paired with exceptionally high property values. Building wealth here requires prioritizing career advancement and entrepreneurial ventures to close the gap between earnings and local cost of living.

Safety in Granite County

via CrimeByCounty

Granite County's National Standing

Granite County holds a safety score of 98.0. While its total crime rate of 1,276.8 per 100K is roughly half the national average, it marks a higher local frequency than some neighbors.

Just Below State Average

The county's safety score of 98.0 falls slightly under the Montana average of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1,276.8 is also a bit higher than the state average of 1,112.5.

Regional Crime Comparisons

Granite's crime rate is higher than Jefferson County's 806.6 per 100K. However, it remains much safer than Lake County, where the crime rate reaches 2,640.5.

Breakdown of Local Incidents

Property crime accounts for 1,128.3 incidents per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 148.5. Property-related issues are the primary concern for residents according to 2022 figures.

Proactive Home Defense

With property crime as the main local threat, invest in quality locks and outdoor lighting. Staying aware of your surroundings helps Granite County stay a safe place to live.

Weather & Climate in Granite County

via WeatherByCounty

A cool and dry mountain climate

Granite County records an annual average temperature of 42.5°F, staying well below the national average. The 14.3 inches of annual precipitation reflect a dry environment common to the western interior.

Just below the Montana state average

Granite County is slightly cooler than the state average of 43.7°F, coming in at 42.5°F. This reflects its position within the higher elevations of western Montana.

Comparable to Jefferson and Lake counties

The county's 42.5°F average is nearly identical to Jefferson County's 42.6°F. However, it is significantly cooler than Lake County, which enjoys a warmer 45.9°F average.

Balanced seasons with moderate snowfall

Winters are cold but manageable with a 24.2°F January average and 30.5 inches of snow. Summers are pleasant and mild, with only 15 days exceeding 90°F and a July average of 63.7°F.

Prioritize winter gear over summer cooling

With only 15 extreme heat days, high-end cooling is less critical than in other parts of the state. Residents should focus on winterizing homes for the 30 inches of snow and sub-freezing winter averages.

Soil Quality in Granite County

via SoilByCounty

Forest and Rock Influence the Soil

Granite County lacks specific data for average pH and taxonomic classification in current regional records. Given the mountainous terrain, pH levels can vary significantly from the state's typical 7.43 alkaline baseline.

Diverse Textures in Mountain Valleys

Specific sand, silt, and clay data are currently unavailable for this region. The county's name implies stony textures that may offer excellent drainage but require effort to prepare for traditional gardening.

Fertility Varies by Valley Floor

Local organic matter and water capacity data are currently not recorded against the state's average of 2.54%. Gardeners in the valleys often find pocketed areas of high fertility, while higher elevations may need more amendments.

Natural Drainage and Alpine Runoff

No dominant hydrologic group is listed for this county in the existing survey. Property owners should assess their specific slope and soil depth to understand how water moves through the rugged landscape.

Mild Summers in Zone 5b

A warmer 5b hardiness zone makes Granite County suitable for a broader variety of crops, including certain fruit trees and longer-season vegetables. Start your garden today and enjoy the slightly longer growing window offered by this sheltered region.

Lawn Care in Granite County

via LawnByCounty

High Difficulty in Granite County

Granite County is one of the toughest spots for lawns, scoring a low 24.5 on the difficulty scale. This Zone 5b county is significantly more challenging than the state average and is less than half as easy as the national median.

Cool Summers and Low Moisture

With only 15 days of extreme heat, summer stress is manageable, but 14.3 inches of annual rainfall is insufficient for most turf. The lower growing degree day count of 1324 means grass recovers slowly from damage or heavy traffic.

Laying the Soil Groundwork

Specific soil survey data is unavailable for Granite County, requiring residents to be proactive with local testing. Identifying your drainage class is particularly important here to ensure your irrigation doesn't lead to runoff or pooling.

Combatting Chronic Dryness

The county suffered through 43 weeks of drought in the past year, and over half the area is currently abnormally dry. Installing smart irrigation controllers can help navigate these dry spells while meeting the high moisture needs of Zone 5b turf.

Hardy Choices for Mountain Lawns

Select resilient cool-season blends that can handle the high-elevation climate of Granite County. Because frost dates can vary wildly in mountain terrain, consult local neighbors or extensions to find the safest window for spring seeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Granite County's county score?
Granite County, Montana has a composite county score of 58.5 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 Granite County rank among counties in Montana?
Granite County ranks #27 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 Granite County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Granite County is $2,130, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Granite County a tax score of 71.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Granite County?
The median household income in Granite County, Montana is $59,265 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Granite County earns an income score of 31.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Granite County, Montana a good place to live?
Granite County scores 58.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #27 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Granite 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 Granite County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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