CountyScore

Mineral County

Montana · MT

#15 in Montana
75.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Mineral County, Montana

Above-average livability nationwide

Mineral County scores 75.6 out of 100, well above the national median of 50.0 by 25 points. This solid performance places it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties for overall livability.

Exceeds Montana's state average

With a score of 75.6, Mineral County surpasses Montana's state average of 72.1, ranking in the upper portion of Montana's counties. It represents one of the state's better livability options.

Low taxes and solid affordability

Mineral County leads with a tax score of 86.8 and effective tax rate of 0.551%, paired with a cost score of 80.1. Median home values of $313,600 and rents of $746 per month offer reasonable housing accessibility.

Income and health need reinforcement

The county's income score of 23.3 and median household income of $61,117 lag behind stronger-performing regions. Health outcomes at 70.1 are adequate but below the best-performing counties in this group.

Suitable for value-conscious families

Mineral County suits families and individuals seeking a balance of low taxes, affordable housing, and rural living in western Montana. Its favorable tax and cost combination makes it appealing to those with modest local income needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.8Cost80.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.3Risk92.7WaterComing Soon
🏛86.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.7
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 Mineral County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Arkansas
75.6
Median income: $63,654
Baca County
Colorado
75.6
Median income: $40,380
Conejos County
Colorado
75.6
Median income: $47,209
East Feliciana Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $72,899
Winn Parish
Louisiana
75.6
Median income: $46,368

Deep Dives

Mineral County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mineral County

via TaxByCounty

Mineral's rate sits comfortably below average

At 0.551%, Mineral County's effective tax rate falls 23% below the national median of 0.71%, offering residents a tax advantage. The median bill of $1,728 is 36% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Third-most tax-friendly county

Mineral's 0.551% effective rate ranks third-best statewide, behind only Lincoln (0.579%) and Madison (0.409%), sitting 28% below Montana's 0.767% average. Few counties offer gentler property tax treatment.

High-value homes, low-tax burden

Mineral's $313,600 median home value matches the region's wealth, but its 0.551% rate keeps annual taxes at $1,728—lower than neighbors despite comparable property values. Lincoln and Mineral are the region's tax havens.

Your $1,728 annual tax bill

A typical Mineral County home worth $313,600 generates $1,728 in annual property taxes—or $144 monthly. With a mortgage, you'll pay $1,957; without, $1,441.

Low rates don't guarantee accuracy

Even in tax-friendly Mineral County, assessment errors slip through—overpayment happens regardless of rate. Homeowners can request a free reappraisal to verify their valuation against recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mineral County

via CostByCounty

Mineral County rents remain manageable

Mineral County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national 15% benchmark and Montana's 15.9% state average, indicating solid rental affordability. The $746 monthly median rent is 10% below the state average, and median household income of $61,117 provides reasonable support for housing costs.

Better-than-average affordability for Montana

Mineral County ranks slightly above the state average for affordability, with its 14.7% rent-to-income ratio edging below Montana's 15.9% standard. This northwestern county offers a balance: moderate rents and income levels that keep housing cost burdens reasonable compared to state peers.

Competitive rents in the northwest region

Mineral's $746 rent undershoots Lewis and Clark ($1,062), Missoula ($1,125), and Madison ($1,159), while exceeding only Liberty ($668) and McCone ($543) among this survey group. Its position reflects a smaller, less touristically driven community than Missoula or Madison.

Balanced housing costs for local incomes

Renters earning the median $61,117 spend approximately $8,952 annually on rent—14.7% of gross income—leaving room for other expenses. Homeowners pay $984 monthly ($11,808 yearly), a steeper percentage of income; the median home value of $313,600 reflects mountain property appeal.

Affordable entry point to northwest Montana

Mineral County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio and $746 rents position it as an accessible option for relocating renters seeking rural Montana living. If you're considering a move to northwest Montana, compare Mineral's affordability against Missoula's amenities to determine the right fit for your priorities and budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mineral County

via IncomeByCounty

Slightly below the U.S. baseline

Mineral County's median household income of $61,117 falls modestly short of the national median of $74,755 by $13,638, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The county's timber heritage and small population define its economic boundaries.

Nearly matching Montana's median

At $61,117, Mineral County earns just $1,178 below Montana's state median of $62,295, essentially performing at the state average. This parity reflects Montana's wider income struggles relative to national norms.

Solid performer in rural context

Mineral County's $61,117 outearns Liberty, Lincoln, and Meagher counties but trails McCone County ($71,842) and the larger urban centers. Its income reflects a diverse economy mixing natural resources, services, and small manufacturing.

Reasonable housing-income balance

Mineral County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is favorable, and the median home value of $313,600 requires discipline but remains achievable for median-income buyers. The county offers better housing affordability than Missoula or Madison.

Building from state-average foundations

With income matching state averages, Mineral County residents can follow statewide financial guidance and savings benchmarks tailored to Montana's cost of living. Local banks and credit unions understand regional economic patterns and offer relevant investment guidance.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mineral County

via HealthByCounty

Mineral matches U.S. life expectancy

At 77.4 years, Mineral County residents live about as long as the average American, though slightly below the U.S. average of 77.6 years. With 16.7% reporting poor or fair health—above the national 16.5%—chronic illness and health challenges affect a notable share of residents.

Below average health in rural Montana

Mineral County's 77.4-year life expectancy falls just below Montana's 76.3-year average, but its 11.7% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 11.9%. Overall, the county ranks in Montana's mid-tier for health outcomes.

Sparse primary care, strong mental health

Mineral County operates just 41 primary care providers per 100K—among the lowest—yet offers 295 mental health providers per 100K, exceeding many larger counties. This imbalance may reflect regional healthcare patterns, with some residents traveling for primary care.

Mental health shine, primary care challenge

Mineral County's 295 mental health providers per 100K is exceptional, but only 41 primary care providers per 100K means residents may struggle to find or access routine and preventive care. With 11.7% uninsured, barriers to basic medical services persist.

Get insured, get well

Mineral County's 11.7% uninsured rate—still over 1 in 10—limits access to primary care in a county already short on general practitioners. Visit Healthcare.gov or your local health department to secure coverage and build a relationship with a primary care doctor.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mineral County

via RiskByCounty

Mineral County has very low disaster risk

Mineral County's composite risk score of 7.35 places it in the very low category, substantially below national and state averages. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural hazards.

Well below Montana's average risk

At 7.35, Mineral County falls far below Montana's state average of 33.31, ranking among the state's safest counties. Only a few Montana counties demonstrate comparably low overall disaster exposure.

Safer than most western Montana peers

Mineral County's score of 7.35 runs substantially lower than neighboring Lincoln (64.28), Missoula (77.04), and Madison (41.03) counties. Western Montana's mountain valleys show striking variation in natural disaster risk.

Wildfire creates primary exposure

Wildfire risk at 85.56 represents Mineral County's most significant hazard concern, unusual given the county's otherwise low composite score. Earthquake (29.13) and flood (16.00) risks remain modest, while tornado exposure is minimal at 1.30.

Wildfire coverage is essential

Despite Mineral County's overall low disaster risk, the 85.56 wildfire score means residents must ensure their homeowners policy explicitly covers wildfire damage. Standard policies often exclude this coverage, requiring a separate rider or specialized policy.

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.