CountyScore

Sheridan County

Montana · MT

#33 in Montana
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Sheridan County, Montana

Sheridan Ranks Solidly Above National Livability Median

Sheridan County's composite score of 71.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 44% of American counties. This reflects a community with genuine livability advantages by national standards.

Right at Montana's County Average Performance Level

Sheridan scores 71.7 against Montana's state average of 72.1, positioning it precisely at the state's median county experience. It represents the prototypical Montana livability profile.

Housing Affordability and Risk Management Excel

Sheridan features a cost score of 84.3 with median home value of just $111,600 and a risk score of 85.0, the highest in this cohort. These strengths make it particularly attractive for those prioritizing financial stability and low disaster exposure.

Tax Burden and Income Growth Present Real Concerns

With an effective tax rate of 1.287% and an income score of just 24.9 against median income of $63,654, Sheridan faces a tax-to-earnings mismatch. Higher tax burden relative to income limits disposable resources for household growth.

Perfect for Risk-Averse, Budget-Focused Retirees

Sheridan suits retirees prioritizing environmental safety and housing affordability, especially those with fixed incomes seeking shelter from natural disasters. Those sensitive to tax burden or seeking robust income growth should evaluate other Montana options.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.1Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.9Risk85WaterComing Soon
🏛66.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡85
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 Sheridan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yakutat City and Borough
Alaska
71.7
Median income: $80,625
Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Sheridan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sheridan County

via TaxByCounty

Sheridan's rate ranks in top 5% nationally

At 1.287%, Sheridan's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.84% by 53%, placing it among America's highest-taxed counties. Despite this steep rate, the median property tax is only $1,436 due to very low home values of $111,600.

Montana's highest tax burden county

Sheridan ranks as the single highest-taxed county in Montana at 1.287%, nearly 68% above the state average of 0.767%. Only Roosevelt County comes close, creating a clear tier of heavy taxation in northeastern Montana.

Tied for region's steepest burden

Sheridan and Roosevelt are virtually identical at 1.287-1.286%, both far exceeding every other Montana county. Sheridan's rate is nearly double Richland's (0.747%) and triple Ravalli's (0.529%).

What $112K home costs in taxes

A median Sheridan home valued at $111,600 generates approximately $1,436 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $1,475; without, roughly $1,417.

Appeals are essential at these rates

In Montana's highest-taxing county, every overassessment multiplies the damage—a 10% overvalue could mean $140+ in annual waste. Filing a free assessment appeal should be standard practice for Sheridan homeowners.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sheridan County

via CostByCounty

Sheridan balances affordability with modest income

Sheridan County's 14.1% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below the national benchmark, even though median household income trails the national average by 15%. At $749 monthly rent on $63,654 income, Sheridan residents maintain reasonable housing affordability.

Better than average Montana affordability

Sheridan's 14.1% rent-to-income ratio beats Montana's state average of 15.9%, positioning it among the state's more manageable rental markets. Median rent of $749 sits close to the state average of $825, contributing to this positive positioning.

Mid-range rents, solid affordability ratio

Sheridan's $749 rent falls between Roosevelt ($707) and Richland ($866), while its 14.1% burden ratio outperforms most neighbors. Only Rosebud's 13.7% ratio surpasses Sheridan in proportional affordability within this region.

Sheridan's balanced housing allocation

Renters allocate 14.1% of a $63,654 annual income—$749 monthly—to housing, among the lower burdens in this county group. Homeowners spend $706 monthly for median homes valued at just $111,600, making Sheridan an exceptional ownership market with 13.3% of income going to housing.

Strong choice for first-time homebuyers

Sheridan County combines above-average Montana income ($63,654) with below-average ownership costs (median home: $111,600), creating Montana's most accessible homeownership market. If building equity matters more than rental flexibility, Sheridan warrants top consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sheridan County

via IncomeByCounty

Sheridan approaches the national baseline

Sheridan County's median household income of $63,654 is 14.9% below the U.S. median of $74,755, yet it remains stronger than many rural communities nationwide. The county's per capita income of $41,202 shows solid earning capacity relative to population.

Mid-range for Montana

Sheridan's $63,654 slightly exceeds Montana's state average of $62,295 by 2.2%, signaling a relatively balanced local economy. The county avoids the severe income constraints facing eastern Montana's most isolated areas.

Sheridan ranks solidly among peers

Sheridan's $63,654 places it sixth in this eight-county comparison, ahead of Roosevelt ($53,125), Rosebud ($56,430), Sanders ($54,035), and Silver Bow ($57,504). Only Ravalli and Stillwater counties command noticeably higher household incomes.

Excellent housing affordability

Sheridan's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% ranks among Montana's best, and its median home value of just $111,600 makes homeownership highly accessible. Combined, these factors mean housing costs pose minimal burden on household finances.

Build equity through homeownership

Sheridan's low housing costs—both rent and purchase price—create an exceptional opportunity for wealth building through property ownership. Households can use savings from affordable housing to fund retirement accounts, education investments, or additional income-generating assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sheridan County

via HealthByCounty

Sheridan's health aligns with national norm

Sheridan County's life expectancy of 76.6 years slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while its 13.6% poor/fair health rate falls well below the national average of 17%. This positions Sheridan as a relatively healthy county compared to most of America.

Slightly above Montana's average health

At 76.6 years, Sheridan County's life expectancy edges out Montana's 76.3-year average by 0.3 years, putting it in the upper half of the state's rankings. Its 12.4% uninsured rate sits slightly above the state average of 11.9%, suggesting modest insurance gaps.

Limited primary care access nearby

Sheridan's 28 primary care providers per 100K matches Richland County's challenge, making it one of rural Montana's least-served areas for primary care. Mental health services at 200 per 100K are moderate compared to better-resourced neighbors like Sanders (278 per 100K).

Good health outcomes despite tight access

Sheridan County achieves above-average life expectancy and low poor/fair health rates despite having only 28 primary care providers per 100K. With 12.4% uninsured, residents face modest insurance gaps that could be addressed through targeted enrollment efforts.

Keep coverage strong in Sheridan

Sheridan County's 12.4% uninsured rate shows room for improvement in coverage. Check Healthcare.gov to ensure you and your family are enrolled in affordable plans that protect your health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sheridan County

via RiskByCounty

Sheridan ranks among safest counties

Sheridan County's composite risk score of 15.08 is exceptionally low, well below national averages, earning a Very Low rating. The county benefits from minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure.

Montana's lowest-risk county

Sheridan scores 15.08 against Montana's average of 33.31, making it among the safest counties in the state by composite risk. All hazard categories fall below state norms.

Significantly safer than western peers

Sheridan (15.08) is far less exposed than Ravalli County (78.47), Sanders County (47.36), and Rosebud County (49.71). Its Very Low rating reflects the northeastern plains' relatively benign natural hazard profile.

Wildfire is only notable concern

Wildfire risk of 51.21 is Sheridan's primary exposure, though still moderate in isolation. All other hazards—flood (13.26), tornado (16.13), and earthquake (6.46)—rank substantially below state and national averages.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Sheridan County's low hazard profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most properties. If your home is in a wildland area, confirm wildfire coverage; otherwise, your existing policy likely covers major risks.

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.