countyscore
60.2
County Score
Property Tax 79Cost of Living 77.3Safety 77.1

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Montana

Steady Above the National Median

Lincoln County earns a composite score of 57.7, comfortably outpacing the national median of 50.0. Its profile highlights a balance of low taxes and community safety.

Competitive Within Montana

Lincoln County ranks just above the Montana state average of 56.4. It offers a more favorable tax and safety environment than many of its neighbors.

Low Tax Burden and High Safety

Low property taxes are a major draw, evidenced by a tax score of 76.8 and an effective rate of only 0.579%. The county also feels very secure, boasting a high safety score of 77.1.

Limited Income and Water Scores

The county faces economic challenges with a very low income score of 9.6 and a median household income of $47,018. Water metrics also lag behind at a score of 22.9, suggesting a need for infrastructure focus.

A Haven for Retirees

Lincoln County is a top choice for retirees or remote workers who want to keep more of their money through low taxes. It rewards those who value safety over high local wage growth.

204060801007977.377.138.453.8835.722.937.1Tax79Cost77.3Safety77.1Health38.4Schools53.8Income8Risk35.7Water22.9Weather37.160.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Lincoln County DNA

Doverall

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

Lincoln County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (77.3/100) but notably weak in Income (8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79+27
Cost
77.3+29.299999999999997
Safety
77.1+22.099999999999994
Health
38.4-11.600000000000001
Schools
53.8
Income
8-43
Risk
35.7-11.299999999999997
Water
22.9-35.1
Weather
37.1-18.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Lincoln County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lincoln County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$296,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$762/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$296,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,143/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

33.9

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Illinois
Median income: $60,758
60.2
Jo Daviess County
Illinois
Median income: $73,993
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Pulaski County
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Median income: $42,463
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Butler County
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Median income: $89,843
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Sumter County
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Custer County
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Lincoln County
Colorado
Median income: $62,861
60.3
Franklin County
Indiana
Median income: $78,074
60.3

Nearby counties

Sanders County
Montana
60.4
Bonner County
Idaho
50.5
Flathead County
Montana
40
Shoshone County
Idaho
48.9
Boundary County
Idaho
57.7
Kootenai County
Idaho
45.3
Lake County
Montana
41.1
Glacier County
Montana
52

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln offers the gentlest tax burden

At 0.579%, Lincoln County has the lowest effective property tax rate among these eight counties and ranks well below the national median of 0.71%. The county's median tax of $1,499 is 44% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Most tax-friendly county in Montana

Lincoln's 0.579% effective rate ranks lowest statewide, nearly a quarter below Montana's 0.767% average. Residents enjoy the gentlest tax treatment in the state.

Balanced homes, balanced taxes

Lincoln County's $258,700 median home value sits between Liberty ($116,800) and Lewis and Clark ($358,200), yet its tax bills remain the region's lightest at $1,499 annually. This reflects the county's remarkably low 0.579% effective rate—a rare advantage in Montana.

Your $1,499 annual tax bill

A typical Lincoln County home worth $258,700 generates just $1,499 in annual property taxes—or $125 per month. With a mortgage, the bill is $1,565; without, $1,431.

Even low rates warrant checking

Lincoln County's favorable tax climate is no reason to skip a reappraisal check—overassessment happens everywhere. Homeowners can request a free assessment review if recent comparable sales in their area suggest their home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lowest income in this region

Lincoln County's median household income of $47,018 ranks in the lowest 25% nationally, trailing the U.S. median of $74,755 by $27,737. This gap signals economic challenges tied to natural resource dependence and rural isolation.

Struggling on Montana's scale

At $47,018, Lincoln County ranks in Montana's lower third, earning just 75% of the state median income of $62,295. The county's reliance on timber and tourism makes it vulnerable to economic cycles.

Lowest earner among its peers

Lincoln County's $47,018 median income falls below all surrounding counties tracked here, with Liberty County ($53,264) outearning it by over $6,000. Only McCone County and Mineral County face comparable economic headwinds.

Rent burden is Montana's worst here

Lincoln County's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties, meaning housing costs consume over one-fifth of household earnings. The median home value of $258,700 remains out of reach for many median-income households.

Every dollar counts in wealth building

With tighter budgets, Lincoln County residents benefit most from low-cost investing options like automatic retirement contributions and employer matches. Building wealth here requires patience and consistent saving, but even small contributions compound over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Levels in the Kootenai Valley

Lincoln County reports a total crime rate of 550.7 per 100,000, significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This contributes to a robust safety score of 99.1 out of 100. The county remains one of the safer regions in the country based on 2022 data.

Outpacing the State in Public Safety

Lincoln County’s safety score of 99.1 exceeds the Montana state average of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 550.7 is roughly half of the statewide average of 1,112.5. Four reporting agencies contribute data to these metrics, providing a reliable picture of local safety.

Lincoln vs Western Montana Neighbors

Lincoln County is considerably safer than neighboring Missoula County, which has a crime rate nearly six times higher at 3,111.1 per 100,000. It also maintains a lower crime rate than Mineral County’s 1,289.7. This makes Lincoln a regional leader in low crime activity.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime in Lincoln County sits at 168.7 per 100,000, well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also low at 382.0 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 2,015.7. Residents face statistically low risks in both major categories.

Smart Security for Rural Properties

While crime rates are low, the rural nature of many Lincoln County homes makes perimeter security important. Motion-activated cameras and clear signage can discourage unauthorized access to remote properties. Staying connected with local watch groups further enhances community safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

A Moist and Snowy Mountain Pocket

Lincoln County averages 44.8°F annually, which is mild for Montana but still well below the national median. It stands out for its 19.4 inches of annual precipitation, making it wetter than many surrounding plains counties.

Warmer and Wetter Than State Averages

At 44.8°F, Lincoln County is warmer than the 43.7°F Montana average. It also sees significantly more moisture, exceeding the state precipitation average by four inches per year.

Snowier and Warmer Than Liberty County

Lincoln County records 54.2 inches of snow, vastly out-pacing Liberty County's 35.9 inches. Despite the snow, its January average of 25.6°F is nearly eight degrees warmer than its neighbors to the east.

Heavy Snow and Frequent Summer Heat

The county experiences 23 extreme heat days annually, even with a moderate July average of 66.4°F. Winter is defined by persistent snow and a Dec-Feb average temperature of 26.5°F.

Gear Up for Snow and Summer Sun

Residents should invest in high-quality snow removal equipment to handle the 54-inch annual snowfall. HVAC systems must also be robust enough to handle the 23 days of extreme 90°F heat that occur despite the overall cool climate.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Forest Soils of the Northwest

In this heavily forested county, specific soil pH and taxonomic data are currently limited. Based on state trends, we expect an alkaline profile near 7.43, which is significantly higher than the national median of 6.5.

Structure in the Mountains

Data regarding the sand, silt, and clay percentages are not yet cataloged for Lincoln County. Understanding these textural ratios is vital for managing water on the steep slopes found throughout the region.

Building Your Soil Health

While specific organic matter data is missing, the Montana state average of 2.54% provides a good benchmark for local health. Adding compost can help your garden reach or exceed the state's typical water capacity of 0.165.

Observing Water Movement

Official drainage and hydrologic groups are not available, requiring site-specific tests for any new construction or agriculture. Watch how your land handles rainfall to determine if you need to improve drainage.

Mild Winters in Zone 5a

A relatively mild 5a Hardiness Zone allows for a longer growing season than many other parts of Montana. Start a garden this year to take advantage of the perfect climate for berries and hardy fruit trees.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

Northern Latitude Lawn Care

Lincoln County's lawn score of 27.7 reflects a difficult growing environment compared to the national average of 50.0. Homeowners in Hardiness Zone 5a must work harder than the typical Montanan, whose state average is 33.4.

Managing More Heat and Rain

The county receives 19.4 inches of annual precipitation, which is higher than the state average but still thirsty for more. Turf faces 23 extreme heat days each year, requiring careful monitoring of soil moisture during July and August.

Unknown Soil Secrets

While specific soil texture data is unavailable, local conditions often require the addition of compost to improve water retention. Testing your yard's drainage class is essential to ensure the 19.4 inches of rain doesn't pool.

Resilience During Dry Spells

The county endured 45 weeks of drought over the past year, though severe drought levels are currently at zero. Maintain a lawn height of at least three inches to shade the soil and reduce water evaporation.

Start Your 5a Lawn

Fine fescues and perennial ryegrass are excellent choices for the Lincoln County climate. Plan to seed after the May 16 frost to take full advantage of the summer growing degree days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, Montana has a composite county score of 60.2 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 Lincoln County rank among counties in Montana?
Lincoln County ranks #23 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 Lincoln County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $1,615, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 79/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, Montana is $47,143 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, Montana a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 60.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Lincoln 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 Lincoln County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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