countyscore
60.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 80.8Cost of Living 72.9

County Report Card

About Sanders County, Montana

Sanders Ranks Above National Median

Sanders County achieves a composite score of 60.6, placing it well ahead of the national median score of 50.0. It represents a high-performing pocket of the Pacific Northwest region.

Exceeding the Montana Standard

With a score of 60.6, Sanders outperforms the Montana state average of 56.4. It offers a balanced profile that makes it one of the more desirable rural counties in the state.

Excellent Water Quality and Taxes

The county excels with a Water Score of 86.0 and a Tax Score of 80.8. Residents benefit from a low 0.549% effective tax rate and very affordable median rents of $774.

Lower Incomes and Health Needs

The Income Score of 22.9 is a notable low point, reflecting a median household income of $54,035. Its Health Score of 41.0 also suggests room for improvement in wellness access and outcomes.

Perfect for Land-Rich, Income-Independent Residents

Sanders County is ideal for those with outside income sources or remote jobs who want to maximize their tax savings and enjoy clean water. It suits individuals who value rural autonomy and financial efficiency.

2040608010080.872.961.1415722.952.78638.1Tax80.8Cost72.9Safety61.1Health41Schools57Income22.9Risk52.7Water86Weather38.160.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Sanders County DNA

Doverall

How Sanders County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Sanders County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (80.8/100) but notably weak in Income (22.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80.8+28.799999999999997
Cost
72.9+24.900000000000006
Safety
61.1
Health
41-9
Schools
57
Income
22.9-28.1
Risk
52.7
Water
86+28
Weather
38.1-17.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$323,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$774/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$323,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,035/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

61.8

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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Nearby counties

Shoshone County
Idaho
47.6
Mineral County
Montana
54.1
Lincoln County
Montana
57.7
Lake County
Montana
40.5
Bonner County
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Kootenai County
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45.2
Flathead County
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Missoula County
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35.1

Deep Dives

Sanders County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sanders County

via TaxByCounty

Sanders stays below national median

Sanders County's effective tax rate of 0.549% runs 35% below the national median of 0.84%, placing it comfortably in the nation's bottom quartile. The median property tax of $1,777 is 34% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Montana's second-lowest tax burden

Sanders ranks as one of Montana's most tax-friendly counties at 0.549%, second only to Ravalli's 0.529%. This puts Sanders homeowners at a 28% advantage versus the state average of 0.767%.

Western Montana's bargain county

Sanders' 0.549% rate barely edges above Ravalli (0.529%) but significantly undercuts Stillwater (0.599%) and all eastern Montana counties. For western Montanans, Sanders offers some of the best tax value.

What $324K home costs in taxes

A median Sanders home valued at $323,800 carries an annual tax bill of approximately $1,777. With a mortgage, expect $1,788; without, roughly $1,769.

Low rates still allow for savings

Sanders' favorable rates don't mean assessments are always accurate—many homeowners here are still overvalued relative to market comparables. A property tax appeal takes minutes to file and costs nothing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sanders County

via CostByCounty

Sanders' rental costs rank above national average

Sanders County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average by more than 1 percentage point, despite a median household income below the national figure. At $774 monthly rent on $54,035 median income, Sanders renters experience above-average affordability strain.

Among Montana's least affordable counties

Sanders ranks among Montana's most burdened renters, with a 17.2% rent-to-income ratio topping the state average of 15.9% by 1.3 points. Median rent of $774 falls below the state average, but low household incomes amplify the affordability pressure.

High-cost housing with lower incomes

Sanders' $774 rent is moderate compared to Ravalli ($1,054) but higher than Rosebud ($644) and Roosevelt ($707). Combined with the county's relatively low $54,035 median income, Sanders residents face proportionally steeper housing burdens than nearby alternatives.

Sanders income stretched by housing costs

The typical Sanders renter spends 17.2% of a $54,035 annual income—$774 monthly—on housing. Homeowners face steeper burdens, with median owner costs of $655 monthly consuming 14.5% of household income despite more affordable median home values of $323,800.

Consider income potential when relocating

Sanders County offers moderate housing costs but demands careful budget planning given its lower median income of $54,035. If relocating here, verify stable employment that exceeds county averages, or explore more affordable alternatives like Rosebud or Roosevelt.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sanders County

via IncomeByCounty

Sanders trails the national average

Sanders County's median household income of $54,035 is 27.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it among America's lower-earning rural counties. The gap reflects economic constraints common to remote northwestern Montana.

Among Montana's lower earners

Sanders County's $54,035 falls 13.3% short of Montana's state average of $62,295, placing it in the lower third of the state's county rankings. The shortfall reflects limited employment options and smaller population base.

Sanders ranks near the bottom

Sanders County's $54,035 is second-lowest in this group, edging only Roosevelt County ($53,125) and falling nearly $18,000 behind Richland County. The county faces similar economic headwinds as other remote Montana communities.

Housing affordability varies with tenure

Sanders' rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds the safe threshold for renters, consuming more than one-sixth of income toward housing costs. However, the median home value of $323,800 relative to household income of $54,035 poses serious barriers to homeownership—a challenge other Montana counties avoid.

Sanders residents need intentional planning

With moderate incomes and elevated housing costs, Sanders households benefit from a clear financial strategy that prioritizes savings before major purchases. Working with a financial advisor to manage debt, build emergency reserves, and plan for retirement can mitigate economic volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sanders County

via CrimeByCounty

Sanders County Outpaces National Safety

Sanders County achieves a high safety score of 98.6. The total crime rate of 895.8 per 100K is much lower than the national benchmark of 2,385.5.

Comparing Well within Montana

The county's total crime rate of 895.8 per 100K is lower than the Montana state average of 1,112.5. This performance earns Sanders a safety score higher than the state average of 98.2.

Analyzing Regional Security Trends

Sanders County reports a higher crime rate at 895.8 per 100K than neighboring Ravalli County at 728.7. However, it remains a very safe choice compared to many other Montana counties.

Breaking Down Local Crime Data

Violent crime in Sanders County sits at 309.2 per 100K, while property crime is reported at 586.6. Both of these figures fall below the national averages for their respective categories.

Smart Security for Sanders Homes

Property crime accounts for 586.6 incidents per 100K residents. Enhancing home security with doorbell cameras can provide extra protection in this relatively low-crime area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Sanders County

via SchoolsByCounty

Eight Districts Power the Clark Fork Valley

Sanders County educates 1,432 students across 16 public schools. The infrastructure includes a balanced mix of six elementary, six middle, and four high schools managed by eight local districts. This decentralized system keeps schools close to the small communities dotting the river valley.

Academic Excellence in a Rural Setting

The county achieves an 88.4% graduation rate, surpassing both state and national averages. While spending $8,551 per pupil—less than the state average—the county maintains a school score of 56.0. This indicates a high level of academic efficiency and student success relative to the investment.

Plains and Thompson Falls Anchor Education

Plains K-12 is the largest district with 453 students, followed by Hot Springs K-12 with 166. Thompson Falls Elementary and High School also serve as major hubs for the county's western half. There are no charter schools, ensuring the 16 traditional public schools remain the primary focus of community support.

Personalized Education in Rural Montana

Every single school in Sanders County is located in a rural locale, emphasizing the area's rugged character. Schools are very small, with an average enrollment of only 90 students per campus. Plains Elementary and Thompson Falls Elementary are the largest individual schools, each serving 247 students.

Top Grad Rates in a Scenic Setting

Families moving to Sanders County often look for homes near Plains or Thompson Falls to access the largest school programs. With graduation rates beating national averages, your investment in a home here is backed by a strong educational foundation. Enjoy the peace of rural living without compromising on your children's academic future.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sanders County

via RiskByCounty

Sanders' risk slightly above U.S. average

Sanders County's composite risk of 47.36 exceeds typical national exposure, carrying a Relatively Low rating. The county faces substantial wildfire and earthquake hazards that balance against low tornado risk.

Moderate risk for Montana

Sanders scores 47.36 versus Montana's average of 33.31, indicating above-average hazard exposure statewide. The county's profile reflects significant wildfire and earthquake vulnerability.

Comparable to other valley counties

Sanders (47.36) shows similar overall risk to Rosebud County (49.71) but notably lower scores than Ravalli County (78.47). The county's 61.86 flood risk is the highest in its region, reflecting river and drainage patterns.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquake combine

Wildfire risk of 91.19, flood risk of 61.86, and earthquake risk of 67.91 represent Sanders' triple hazard exposure. Tornado risk remains minimal at 4.71, making it the county's least significant natural disaster threat.

Triple coverage: wildfire, flood, quake

Standard homeowners insurance excludes both wildfire and earthquake damage; you'll need separate policies or endorsements for both. Flood insurance is also essential if your property lies in or near a mapped flood zone—verify your zone and coverage limits annually.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Sanders County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect compliance for Sanders County drinking water

Sanders County achieves a perfect A grade with zero health violations recorded in the five-year SDWIS lookback. The violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents is a significant improvement over the state average of 393.8. Local water systems are operating with a high degree of safety and reliability.

Thirty-six water bodies show no impairment

The 2022 ATTAINS reporting cycle indicates that 0.0% of the 36 assessed water bodies are impaired. This demonstrates that the county is meeting Clean Water Act §303(d) standards consistently across its assessed watersheds. These results align with the broader statewide average for the same period.

Broad monitoring of organic and physical data

Thirty-two monitoring sites have recorded 10,298 measurements in Sanders County over the past five years. Data collection prioritizes physical characteristics and organic pesticides, providing a clear window into chemical presence. This active footprint ensures that any shifts in watershed health are quickly documented.

Streamgage data unavailable for primary river

There is currently no live streamflow data available for the Clark Fork below Noxon Rapids Dam. While this station covers a drainage area of 21,709 square miles, active discharge readings are not currently reporting to the USGS system. Residents should look to drinking water compliance signals as the primary indicator of water stability.

Maintain trust in excellent local water standards

With zero violations and no impaired water bodies, Sanders County residents enjoy some of the highest water quality in the state. Because monitoring frequently tracks pesticides and organics, staying informed about local land use remains a wise precaution. No additional filtration is necessary based on current A-grade data.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sanders County

via WeatherByCounty

The Wet and Warm West

Sanders County is a climate outlier with an average annual temperature of 46.3°F and high precipitation levels. It is significantly wetter and warmer than the typical Montana county profile.

Exceeding State Precipitation Norms

At 27.7 inches of annual precipitation, Sanders County receives nearly double the Montana average of 15.4 inches. This moisture supports a lush landscape rarely seen in the eastern half of the state.

Leading Neighbors in Temperature and Moisture

Sanders is warmer than the state average (46.3°F vs 43.7°F) and much wetter. It experiences 50.3 inches of annual snow, keeping it competitive with the snowiest regions in the state.

Temperate Winters and Humid Summers

Winters are relatively mild for Montana, with a January average of 28.4°F and 50.3 inches of snow. July stays comfortable at 66.9°F, though the county still sees 26 extreme heat days annually.

Prepare for a Moist Climate

Rain and snow gear are essential given the 27.7 inches of annual precipitation. Homeowners should focus on moisture control and drainage to manage the significantly higher-than-average local rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sanders County

via SoilByCounty

Western Montana's Forested Soils

Sanders County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in current records, but its forested mountains often harbor different soil profiles than the eastern plains. In the absence of local data, the state average pH of 7.43 remains the primary reference point. These soils are often influenced by ancient glacial lake deposits.

Sifting Through Glacial History

Detailed sand, silt, and clay percentages are not provided for this county. The region is known for a mix of rocky mountain soils and fine-textured valley silts. These varied compositions mean that drainage can change from extremely fast on slopes to very slow in the basins.

Nurturing the Mountain Valleys

With organic matter and water capacity data unlisted, growers should look to the Montana state average of 2.54% organic matter. The lush vegetation of the Clark Fork valley suggests pockets of high natural fertility. Testing your own backyard soil is the best way to determine your specific nutrient needs.

Complexity in the Clark Fork Basin

No specific drainage class or hydrologic group is recorded for Sanders County. The mountainous terrain naturally creates high-runoff zones and complex groundwater patterns. Understanding your local slope is just as important as the soil texture for any gardening or building.

A Mild Climate in Zone 6a

Sanders County boasts a Hardiness Zone of 6a, making it one of the warmest spots in Montana. This milder climate allows for a wider variety of fruit trees and longer-season vegetables than most of the state. It is an ideal place to experiment with berries and even certain varieties of grapes.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sanders County

via LawnByCounty

Milder Winters in Sanders County

Sanders County matches the state average difficulty score of 33.7. However, its Hardiness Zone 6a rating is one of the mildest in Montana, offering more options for plant variety. While it is easier than many neighbors, it still requires more effort than the national median of 50.0.

High Rainfall for Big Sky Country

With 27.7 inches of annual precipitation, Sanders County is much closer to the national ideal of 30-50 inches than most of Montana. Despite 26 heat days, the moisture levels help maintain a more consistent mowing schedule. The season is governed by a May 20 last frost and a September 21 first frost.

Testing Soil in a Wet Climate

Detailed soil data is unavailable for this area, but higher rainfall can often lead to different nutrient leaching patterns than in drier counties. A soil test will help you determine if your lawn needs lime to balance pH or additional organic matter for better structure. Always test before applying high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Managing Long-Term Dry Spells

Despite higher rainfall, the county experienced 43 weeks of drought last year, and 92.6% of the area is currently dry. Rain barrels and smart irrigation controllers can help you make the most of the 27.7 inches of annual rain. Monitoring soil moisture ensures you don't overwater during the rainy spring.

Zone 6a Offers Expanded Choices

The warmer Zone 6a climate allows for Perennial Ryegrass or Tall Fescue, which may struggle in colder parts of the state. Aim to seed in late May after the frost threat has vanished. The generous rainfall in this region provides a significant head start for establishing a lush, green lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sanders County's county score?
Sanders County, Montana has a composite county score of 60.6 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 Sanders County rank among counties in Montana?
Sanders County ranks #21 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 Sanders County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Sanders County is $1,777, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Sanders County a tax score of 80.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sanders County?
The median household income in Sanders County, Montana is $54,035 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sanders County earns an income score of 22.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sanders County, Montana a good place to live?
Sanders County scores 60.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Sanders 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 Sanders County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.