countyscore
36.4
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 62Health 55

County Report Card

About Silver Bow County, Montana

Silver Bow Trails National Benchmarks

Silver Bow County posts a composite score of 36.4, significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This suggests considerable headwinds across several quality-of-life categories.

Lower Tier of Montana Counties

With a score of 36.4, Silver Bow sits far below the Montana state average of 56.4. It faces more socio-economic challenges than the vast majority of its state peers.

Reliable Water and Environmental Resilience

The county's strongest assets are its Water Score of 86.0 and a respectable Risk Score of 62.0. Additionally, it maintains moderate health outcomes with a score of 55.0.

Significant Safety and School Hurdles

Silver Bow faces a critical challenge with a Safety Score of only 2.2 and a School Score of 33.5. Lower incomes and a 1.055% tax rate further complicate the local economic landscape.

Best for Urban Revitalization Advocates

This county suits residents who are comfortable with an urban-industrial profile and are committed to local community building. While safety and schools are concerns, the environmental resources provide a solid foundation.

Score breakdown

Tax34.1Cost48.1Safety2.2Health55Schools33.5Income31.6Risk62Water86Weather45.1
🏛34.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡2.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤55
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓33.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡62
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤45.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱26.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Deer Lodge County
Montana
48.9
Jefferson County
Montana
58
Madison County
Montana
65.6
Granite County
Montana
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Beaverhead County
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Broadwater County
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Powell County
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Ravalli County
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Deep Dives

Silver Bow County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Silver Bow County

via TaxByCounty

Silver Bow's rate ranks in top 20%

Silver Bow's effective tax rate of 1.055% sits 26% above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the nation's upper quartile of taxed counties. The median property tax of $2,357 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite homes being worth less at $223,500.

Third-highest tax burden in Montana

Silver Bow's 1.055% rate ranks third in Montana behind Roosevelt (1.286%) and Sheridan (1.287%), at 37% above the state average of 0.767%. This makes Silver Bow a notably heavy-tax jurisdiction within the state.

Heaviest tax in Southwest Montana

Silver Bow's 1.055% rate substantially exceeds Ravalli (0.529%), Rosebud (0.630%), and Stillwater (0.599%), making it the most expensive option for homeowners in its region. It's closer in burden to the northeastern extremes than to western peers.

What $224K home costs in taxes

A median Silver Bow home valued at $223,500 generates approximately $2,357 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,449; without, roughly $2,227.

High taxes demand careful verification

In a high-tax county like Silver Bow, overassessments hit harder—a 15% overvalue could cost $350+ per year indefinitely. A property tax appeal is free and often the best financial move a homeowner can make.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Silver Bow County

via CostByCounty

Silver Bow faces rental affordability pressure

Silver Bow County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, straining renters despite moderate housing costs. With median rent of $810 on a median household income of $57,504, Silver Bow residents spend above-average shares of earnings on housing.

Among Montana's more burdened renters

Silver Bow's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio tops Montana's state average of 15.9%, marking it as one of the state's less affordable rental markets. Median rent of $810 moderately exceeds the state average, but low incomes amplify the burden.

Higher rent-to-income burden than peers

Silver Bow's 16.9% ratio ranks among the region's worst, exceeded only by Ravalli (17.7%) and Sanders (17.2%). At $810 monthly rent, Silver Bow sits mid-range across the county profile but its lower income of $57,504 creates disproportionate hardship.

Silver Bow's strained housing economics

Renters spend 16.9% of a $57,504 annual income—$810 monthly—on housing, among the highest burdens analyzed. Homeowners face even steeper pressure, with $944 monthly owner costs consuming 19.7% of household income for median homes valued at $223,500.

Requires careful financial planning before moving

Silver Bow's housing costs consume significantly larger income shares than neighboring alternatives like Rosebud or Sheridan. Before relocating here, ensure your earning potential exceeds county averages or prioritize counties with better rent-to-income ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Silver Bow County

via IncomeByCounty

Silver Bow falls short of national earnings

Silver Bow County's median household income of $57,504 is 23.1% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges in this historical mining region. The county ranks among lower-earning counties despite its larger population base.

Below Montana's state average

Silver Bow's $57,504 trails Montana's state average of $62,295 by 7.7%, placing the county in the lower-middle tier of the state. The income gap reflects the shift away from mining as a primary employer.

Silver Bow ranks toward the bottom

Silver Bow's $57,504 is seventh among these eight counties, exceeding only Roosevelt County ($53,125) and trailing Rosebud ($56,430) by just $947. The tight clustering of these lower-income counties shows the prevalence of economic strain across rural Montana.

Rent-to-income strains the budget

Silver Bow's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% is higher than most peers, meaning renters allocate nearly one-sixth of income to housing. With a median home value of $223,500, homeownership requires careful financial planning given the modest underlying income.

Strategic planning beats passive waiting

Silver Bow residents benefit from deliberate wealth-building strategies: automating savings, minimizing high-interest debt, and seeking employer retirement matches whenever available. Even small, consistent investments compound into meaningful financial security over years and decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Silver Bow County

via CrimeByCounty

Silver Bow County Faces Unique Challenges

Silver Bow County reports a total crime rate of 4,800.9 per 100K, more than double the national average of 2,385.5. This gives the county a safety score of 92.4.

High Crime Relative to Montana

The county's crime rate of 4,800.9 per 100K is over four times the Montana state average of 1,112.5. This places Silver Bow well below the average state safety score of 98.2.

Outlier in Regional Crime Data

Compared to nearby Stillwater County (1,113.9), Silver Bow has a much higher density of reported incidents. Note that this data relies on a single reporting agency, which may influence the totals.

Property Crime Drives the Numbers

Property crime is exceptionally high at 4,469.5 per 100K, while violent crime is actually below the national average at 331.4. Theft and burglary represent the vast majority of local law enforcement concerns.

Priority One: Home Security

With a property crime rate of 4,469.5 per 100K, high-quality home security is essential. Investing in alarm systems and tracking packages can help protect your home from local property crime trends.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Silver Bow County

via HealthByCounty

Silver Bow trails U.S. health benchmarks

Silver Bow County's life expectancy of 74.1 years falls 2.3 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while its 15.5% poor/fair health rate outperforms the national average of 17%. The county shows mixed performance relative to the nation as a whole.

Below-average lifespan, strong insurance

Silver Bow County's 74.1-year life expectancy trails Montana's 76.3-year average by 2.2 years, yet its 9.7% uninsured rate significantly beats the state average of 11.9%. This suggests healthcare coverage isn't the primary barrier to health in Silver Bow.

Standout mental health provider network

Silver Bow's 594 mental health providers per 100K is exceptional—nearly double the availability in surrounding counties and far exceeding the state's typical rural levels. However, its 79 primary care providers per 100K provides solid primary care access without being exceptional.

Strong coverage, specialized support strength

With only 9.7% uninsured and an exceptional network of 594 mental health providers per 100K, Silver Bow residents have excellent access to behavioral health services. Yet the county's below-average life expectancy suggests other factors—such as lifestyle, environmental, or social determinants—may be limiting overall health outcomes.

Maintain insurance for better outcomes

Silver Bow's strong insurance enrollment of 90.3% shows the power of coverage—especially as you access the county's robust mental health services. If you're among the 9.7% uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov to secure a plan today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Silver Bow County

via SchoolsByCounty

Butte's Centrally Managed School System

Silver Bow County educates 4,460 students across 12 public schools. The system is heavily focused on early education, with nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one large high school. Five districts manage these facilities, with the Butte schools serving the vast majority of the population.

Efficient Achievement in a Town Setting

The county maintains a graduation rate of 86.0%, which is higher than the Montana state average of 83.7%. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $7,024, compared to the state average of $9,334. The composite school score of 51.5 is just shy of the state average but remains above the national median.

The Power of Butte Elementary and High School

Butte Elementary is the largest district, serving 2,966 students across seven schools. Butte High School acts as the county's central secondary institution with a massive enrollment of 1,317. There are no charter schools in the county, maintaining a strong focus on the traditional public school system.

A Mix of Town Hubs and Rural Outposts

The average school size of 372 students is the highest among the counties surveyed, driven by the large campuses in Butte. Seven schools are located in town settings, while five serve the surrounding rural areas. This mix offers families a choice between larger, resource-rich town schools and smaller rural elementary campuses.

Find a Home in Montana's Historic Mining City

Buying a home in Butte places your family near some of the state's largest and most storied school campuses. The high graduation rates and centralized high school provide a sense of community consistency for growing families. Explore the diverse neighborhoods of Silver Bow County to find the perfect proximity to your preferred school.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Silver Bow County

via RiskByCounty

Silver Bow's risk near national average

Silver Bow County scores 38.04 on composite risk, slightly above national norms, with a Very Low rating. Earthquake risk of 87.40 is notably high, while wildfire risk of 80.73 presents a secondary concern.

Low-to-moderate risk within Montana

Silver Bow's 38.04 score slightly exceeds Montana's average of 33.31, placing it just above the state median. Earthquake exposure is the primary driver of this above-average ranking.

Highest earthquake risk in region

Silver Bow (38.04) faces substantially higher earthquake exposure (87.40) than neighboring Sanders County (67.91) and similar wildfire risk to regional peers. Its earthquake vulnerability is the most severe in the southwestern corridor.

Earthquake threatens structures most

Earthquake risk at 87.40 is Silver Bow's defining hazard, substantially exceeding all other exposures. Wildfire risk of 80.73 is also notable, while tornado and flood risks remain low.

Earthquake insurance is critical

Earthquake coverage is excluded from standard homeowners policies and must be purchased separately—this is essential in Silver Bow given its 87.40 exposure rating. Verify your home's seismic bracing and consider retrofitting for older structures.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Silver Bow County

via WeatherByCounty

A High-Altitude, Dry Climate

Silver Bow County maintains a cool 40.5°F annual average, influenced by its significant elevation. This keeps the county much cooler than the national median throughout the year.

Cooler and Drier Than the State

At 40.5°F, Silver Bow is colder than the 43.7°F state average. It is also exceptionally dry, receiving only 12.0 inches of precipitation compared to the 15.4-inch state norm.

Low Heat and Low Snowfall

Compared to its neighbors, Silver Bow has very few extreme heat days, averaging just 7 per year. Surprisingly, it only sees 15.2 inches of annual snowfall, which is remarkably low for a high-altitude Montana county.

Milder Summers and Moderate Cold

July is very comfortable with an average of 63.8°F, and the county rarely sees extreme heat. Winters are cold but dry, with a January average of 20.8°F and minimal snow accumulation.

Dress in Layers for Dry Cold

Because of the low 12.0-inch annual precipitation, humidifiers are a common household need. Residents can enjoy summers without heavy air conditioning, but should prepare for constant winter chills.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Silver Bow County

via SoilByCounty

Mining the Mountain Soil

Specific pH and taxonomic data are missing for Silver Bow County in this dataset. As with most of Montana, the soil likely trends toward the state average pH of 7.43, which is more alkaline than the national 6.5. The region’s history of mineral extraction also influences the local soil chemistry.

Rocky Foundations and High Altitudes

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded for this county. The soil here is often thin and rocky, characteristic of the high-altitude terrain surrounding Butte. These textures typically offer rapid drainage but can be difficult to till for traditional gardening.

Adapting to High-Country Constraints

While local organic matter data is unavailable, the state average is 2.54%. In high-altitude Silver Bow, building up organic matter is essential for improving water retention in thin soils. Every bit of compost helps turn these mountain minerals into productive garden beds.

Fast Drainage and Steep Slopes

There is no recorded dominant drainage class or hydrologic group for this area. In a mountain environment like this, drainage is usually rapid, which can lead to dry conditions even with adequate rainfall. Builders must be mindful of the rocky subsurface when planning foundations or septic systems.

Hardy Plants for Zone 5a

With a Hardiness Zone of 5a, Silver Bow County requires plants that can handle cold nights and a short summer. Focus on hardy perennials and fast-maturing vegetables that thrive in cool air. Raised beds are highly recommended to bypass rocky ground and improve soil quality.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Silver Bow County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Terrain for Butte Lawns

Silver Bow County is one of the most difficult places in the state for lawn care, with a score of 26.8. This is far below the state average of 33.4 and roughly half the national average difficulty. Maintaining a traditional lawn in this Zone 5a region requires significant effort.

Very Dry with a Brief Summer

The county receives just 12.0 inches of rain annually, making it one of the driest in this group. A very short growing season runs from a late June 13 frost to an early September 7 frost. With only 1,240 growing degree days and 7 heat days, grass grows very slowly here.

Start with a Clean Slate

No specific soil pH or texture data is available for Silver Bow County in our records. Given the high-altitude environment, testing for drainage and nutrient levels is critical before you plant. Adding compost can help the soil retain what little moisture the county receives.

A Year-Round Struggle with Drought

The county was in drought for 53 weeks over the past year, meaning dry conditions were constant. Every inch of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry, making water conservation mandatory. Consider xeriscaping or ultra-efficient irrigation to manage the 12-inch annual rainfall.

Plan for a Mid-June Start

Focus on high-altitude, cold-hardy mixes such as Fine Fescue or specialized mountain meadow blends. You must wait until after June 13 to plant, as late spring frosts are a major threat in this area. Success here depends on selecting grasses that can handle both the cold and the persistent dryness.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Silver Bow County's county score?
Silver Bow County, Montana has a composite county score of 36.4 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 Silver Bow County rank among counties in Montana?
Silver Bow County ranks #52 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 Silver Bow County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Silver Bow County is $2,357, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns Silver Bow County a tax score of 34.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Silver Bow County?
The median household income in Silver Bow County, Montana is $57,504 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Silver Bow County earns an income score of 31.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Silver Bow County, Montana a good place to live?
Silver Bow County scores 36.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Silver Bow 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 Silver Bow County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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