countyscore
59.4
County Score
Income & Jobs 86.3Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 83.3

County Report Card

About Stillwater County, Montana

Stillwater Exceeds National Standards

Stillwater County earns a strong composite score of 58.9, comfortably beating the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the higher-performing counties for overall livability in the U.S.

Surpassing the Montana Average

Stillwater's 58.9 score places it above the Montana state average of 56.4. This indicates a high level of performance compared to the typical experience in the Treasure State.

Prosperous Incomes and High Resilience

The county excels with an Income Score of 85.4 and a median household income of $81,503. Its Risk Score of 83.3 and Water Score of 86.0 demonstrate exceptional environmental stability.

High Costs of Living

Stillwater's primary challenge is its Cost Score of 26.8, reflecting a median home value of $355,600. While incomes are high, housing affordability remains a hurdle for new residents.

A Premier Choice for High Earners

Stillwater is an ideal destination for high-income families looking for a safe, environmentally resilient place to settle. It offers a rare combination of strong wages and top-tier natural resources.

2040608010075.528.550.6756486.383.38638.1Tax75.5Cost28.5Safety50.6Health75Schools64Income86.3Risk83.3Water86Weather38.159.4/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Stillwater County DNA

Foverall

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

Stillwater County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (83.3/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
75.5+23.5
Cost
28.5-19.5
Safety
50.6
Health
75+25
Schools
64+10
Income
86.3+35.3
Risk
83.3+36.3
Water
86+28
Weather
38.1-17.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$405,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$961/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$405,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,732/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.1

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

Sweet Grass County
Montana
64.6
Carbon County
Montana
66.1
Park County
Montana
48.8
Golden Valley County
Montana
67.4
Yellowstone County
Montana
32.6
Wheatland County
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Musselshell County
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Park County
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Deep Dives

Stillwater County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stillwater County

via TaxByCounty

Stillwater runs below national average

Stillwater's effective tax rate of 0.599% sits 29% below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,131 is 21% lower than the national median of $2,690, despite homes worth significantly more at $355,600.

Among Montana's most favorable rates

Stillwater's 0.599% rate sits 22% below Montana's state average of 0.767%, ranking among the state's most tax-friendly counties. Homeowners here enjoy a clear advantage over the typical Montanan.

Third-best in all-county comparison

Stillwater's 0.599% trails only Ravalli (0.529%) and Sanders (0.549%), significantly undercutting Rosebud (0.630%) and all eastern counties. It's a tax haven for central-southern Montana.

What $356K home costs in taxes

A median Stillwater home valued at $355,600 generates approximately $2,131 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,340; without, roughly $1,864.

Even favorable rates need checking

Stillwater's competitive tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate assessments—many homeowners are still paying on overvalued properties. Filing a free property tax appeal can validate your assessment and recover past overpayments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stillwater County

via IncomeByCounty

Stillwater leads Montana in earnings

Stillwater County's median household income of $81,503 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 9%, making it one of the strongest-earning counties in the state. This premium reflects a diversified economy with agriculture, energy, and professional services.

Montana's top earner

Stillwater's $81,503 ranks highest among all eight counties and runs 30.8% above Montana's state average of $62,295. The county's economic strength stands out starkly against most of rural Montana.

Stillwater far outearns its peers

Stillwater's $81,503 exceeds Ravalli County ($71,323) by $10,180 and dwarfs Roosevelt County ($53,125) by $28,378—the largest gap in this eight-county group. The county's income premium is unmatched across Montana.

Strong incomes, rising home values

Stillwater's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% is excellent, and the median home value of $355,600 remains achievable for households earning over $81,000. The strong income-to-housing-cost ratio creates genuine wealth-building capacity.

Capitalize on Stillwater's prosperity

With household incomes nearly 9% above the national median, Stillwater residents have substantial capacity to save beyond basic expenses. Maximizing 401(k) contributions, diversifying into stock portfolios, and considering investment property or business ventures become realistic strategies for long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stillwater County

via CrimeByCounty

Stillwater County Strong on Safety

Stillwater County maintains a safety score of 98.2. Its total crime rate of 1,113.9 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Tracking with Montana Benchmarks

The county's safety score of 98.2 perfectly matches the Montana state average. Its total crime rate of 1,113.9 per 100K is virtually identical to the state average of 1,112.5.

Regional Safety Comparisons

Stillwater County is much safer than nearby Silver Bow County, which sees a rate of 4,800.9. However, it trails the exceptional safety of Rosebud County's 168.5 crime rate.

Violent and Property Crime Detail

Violent crime in Stillwater is 367.6 per 100K, nearly matching the national average of 369.8. Property crime is relatively low at 746.3, far below the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Keeping Stillwater Secure

A property crime rate of 746.3 per 100K indicates a generally secure environment. Simple steps like installing motion-sensor lighting can help keep your property even safer from potential intruders.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stillwater County

via WeatherByCounty

Average Temperatures, Extraordinary Snowfall

Stillwater County’s 44.0°F annual average is typical for the region, but its moisture patterns are unique. The county faces a heavy seasonal snow load compared to much of the United States.

Matching the Montana Temperature Baseline

Stillwater’s 44.0°F annual average is nearly identical to the Montana state average of 43.7°F. However, its 18.7 inches of precipitation makes it wetter than many other parts of the state.

A Regional Leader in Heavy Snow

While neighboring counties might see moderate totals, Stillwater gets buried under 87.3 inches of annual snowfall. This is nearly triple the snowfall seen in eastern Montana counties like Richland.

Mountain Winters and Gentle Summers

July averages a pleasant 65.9°F, while winter is defined by the massive 87.3-inch snow total. January temperatures stay relatively mild for the state at 26.1°F, despite the heavy precipitation.

Serious Snow Prep is Mandatory

With over 87 inches of snow per year, residents need professional-grade snow blowers and structural roof considerations. While 19 days of extreme heat occur, the primary planning focus should remain on winter moisture management.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stillwater County

via SoilByCounty

Foothills and River Valley Soils

Stillwater County lacks specific pH and taxonomic data in this dataset. Most local soils follow the Montana trend of alkalinity, averaging around 7.43 compared to the national median of 6.5. The proximity to the Beartooth Mountains creates a diverse range of soil identities from north to south.

Variable Textures of the Yellowstone

No specific percentages for sand, silt, or clay are available for this jurisdiction. The county features a mix of river-fed alluvium and upland silts, offering various levels of workability. These soils often have a significant gravel component due to the local geology.

Building Potential in the Valleys

Organic matter and water capacity data are currently unlisted for Stillwater County. Montana’s state average organic matter of 2.54% is a good target for local growers to aim for. Adding organic material will help improve the water-holding capacity of the sometimes-rocky foothill soils.

Managing Runoff and Irrigation

Specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not cataloged here. Because the county spans from river valleys to mountains, drainage speeds vary wildly based on location and slope. Understanding how water moves across your specific plot is the first step to a successful landscape.

Thriving in Zone 5a

Stillwater County resides in Hardiness Zone 5a, supporting a wide range of hardy vegetables and berries. The cool mountain nights are perfect for brassicas like kale and broccoli, which become sweeter with a light frost. Start your garden in a sunny, sheltered spot to protect plants from wind.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stillwater County

via LawnByCounty

Stillwater Leads the Region in Ease

Stillwater County offers the best lawn-growing conditions in this group with a difficulty score of 40.9. This significantly beats the Montana state average of 33.4, though it still falls short of the national 50.0 benchmark. It is a solid location for a Hardiness Zone 5a lawn.

Better Rainfall than State Averages

Annual precipitation of 18.7 inches provides a stronger foundation than the 15.4-inch state average. While the frost-free season is somewhat short—running from June 1 to September 14—the 1,635 growing degree days support healthy development. Extreme heat is moderate, with only 19 days over 90°F.

Build a Custom Soil Strategy

Specific soil metrics are not available, but the diversity of Stillwater’s landscape suggests local variations in drainage. We recommend a soil test to determine your specific needs for organic matter and pH balance. Ensuring good drainage is vital for keeping cool-season grasses healthy through the June rains.

Relatively Resilient to Drought

With only 16 weeks in drought over the last year, Stillwater is more resilient than many neighboring counties. However, 89.3% of the area is currently abnormally dry, so sensible watering is still necessary. Deep watering twice a week is usually sufficient to maintain green turf during the summer months.

Leverage the Superior Growing Score

Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue are excellent choices to take advantage of the county's favorable score. Begin your seeding or sodding projects after the June 1 frost date for the best results. The slightly higher rainfall here gives you a distinct advantage in establishing a lush, durable lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stillwater County's county score?
Stillwater County, Montana has a composite county score of 59.4 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 Stillwater County rank among counties in Montana?
Stillwater County ranks #24 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 Stillwater County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Stillwater County is $2,319, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Stillwater County a tax score of 75.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stillwater County?
The median household income in Stillwater County, Montana is $84,732 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stillwater County earns an income score of 86.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stillwater County, Montana a good place to live?
Stillwater County scores 59.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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.