countyscore
64.6
County Score
Disaster Risk 91.9Property Tax 86.9Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Sweet Grass County, Montana

Sweet Grass outpaces national norms

Sweet Grass County earns a composite score of 64.6, placing it comfortably ahead of the national median score of 50.0. This score indicates a high standard of living relative to thousands of peers across the United States.

A top performer in Big Sky Country

The county's overall score of 64.6 is significantly higher than the Montana state average of 56.4. This strong performance marks it as one of the more desirable locales within the state.

Exceptional safety and low tax burden

The county excels with a risk score of 91.9 and a school score of 82.5. Residents benefit from an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.491%, one of the most favorable in the region.

Housing costs present a growing barrier

With a cost score of 35.8, affordability is the primary challenge for this community. Median home values reach $295,500, while gross rent averages $1,073, putting pressure on lower-income households.

Ideal for families seeking security

Sweet Grass is a premier choice for established families who value top-tier schools and minimal environmental risk. It suits those with stable incomes who can navigate the tighter housing market in exchange for a high quality of life.

2040608010086.935.848.177.782.56591.98641Tax86.9Cost35.8Safety48.1Health77.7Schools82.5Income65Risk91.9Water86Weather4164.6/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Sweet Grass County DNA

D+overall

How Sweet Grass County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Sweet Grass County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (91.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86.9+34.900000000000006
Cost
35.8-12.200000000000003
Safety
48.1
Health
77.7+27.700000000000003
Schools
82.5+28.5
Income
65+14
Risk
91.9+44.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
41-15
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$295,500

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,073/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$295,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,426/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Stillwater County
Montana
58.8
Park County
Montana
48.9
Golden Valley County
Montana
69.9
Carbon County
Montana
64.8
Wheatland County
Montana
63.2
Gallatin County
Montana
44.2
Yellowstone County
Montana
32.6
Musselshell County
Montana
59.7

Deep Dives

Sweet Grass County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sweet Grass County

via TaxByCounty

Sweet Grass taxes rank low nationally

At 0.491%, Sweet Grass County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.767%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay just $1,452 annually on a median home valued at $295,500—substantially less than the national median tax of $2,690.

Among Montana's most affordable

Sweet Grass ranks among Montana's lowest-taxed counties, with an effective rate 36% below the state average of 0.767%. The median tax bill of $1,452 is also $350 below the state average, offering relief for rural homeowners.

Competitive with regional peers

Sweet Grass's 0.491% rate beats most neighboring counties, though it's slightly lower than Treasure County's 0.616% and Wheatland County's 0.650%. Among the eight-county region profiled, only Wibaux County offers lower absolute tax bills due to lower home values.

A median home costs $1,452 yearly

Sweet Grass homeowners with a median-valued property of $295,500 pay approximately $1,452 in annual property taxes. Add county assessments and special districts with mortgage, and that bill rises to $1,918.

You may be overassessed

Many Montana property owners discover their homes are overvalued on county rolls. If your recent appraisal or comparable sales suggest your home's worth has shifted, filing a property tax appeal could lower your effective rate and save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sweet Grass County

via CostByCounty

Sweet Grass rents strain household budgets

Renters in Sweet Grass County spend 18.6% of their median household income on rent—higher than the U.S. average of roughly 15%. While the county's median household income of $69,426 sits below the national median of $74,755, the $1,073 monthly rent pulls a larger share of earnings than typical American households experience.

Above Montana's housing affordability line

Sweet Grass County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Montana's state average of 15.9%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. The median rent of $1,073 is notably higher than Montana's state average of $825, suggesting tighter rental market conditions here.

Pricier than surrounding rural counties

Sweet Grass renters pay significantly more than those in neighboring Toole County ($753) or Teton County ($750), but face better homeownership costs than Yellowstone County ($1,257 monthly). The county sits in the middle ground of rural Montana's housing landscape.

Rent takes the bigger bite here

At $1,073 monthly, rent consumes 18.6% of the median $69,426 household income, while homeownership averages $839 per month on a median value of $295,500. Overall, Sweet Grass households allocate roughly one in five income dollars to housing costs.

Consider housing costs before relocating

If you're weighing a move to Sweet Grass County, budget for rents above the Montana average and factor in that housing will claim a sizable portion of income. Homebuyers may find more favorable conditions here than in Yellowstone, making ownership a competitive option for those with down payment savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sweet Grass County

via IncomeByCounty

Sweet Grass sits just below national average

At $69,426, Sweet Grass County's median household income falls about $5,300 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This positions the county in the middle range nationally, competitive with many rural American communities.

Well above Montana's county average

Sweet Grass ranks among the stronger income performers statewide, with its $69,426 median exceeding Montana's county average of $62,295 by 11%. This reflects stronger-than-typical economic fundamentals for the state.

Sweet Grass outearns regional peers

Sweet Grass households earn more than Teton ($67,766), Valley ($64,515), and Wibaux ($64,792) counties. The county's per capita income of $39,756 also leads most immediate neighbors, suggesting concentrated earning power.

Rent remains affordable; homes less so

At 18.6%, the rent-to-income ratio signals healthy housing affordability—well below the 30% threshold for financial stress. However, the median home price of $295,500 represents a 4.3-year income multiple, requiring substantial savings.

Build wealth in Sweet Grass County

With above-average income and manageable rent costs, Sweet Grass households have room to save. Consider automating 10–15% of household income into retirement accounts and low-cost index funds to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sweet Grass County

via CrimeByCounty

Safe Living in Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass County maintains a high safety score of 98.2 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1,163.1 per 100,000 residents sits far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Matching the Montana Average

The county's safety score perfectly aligns with the Montana state average of 98.2. While the state average total crime rate is 1,112.5, Sweet Grass is only slightly higher at 1,163.1.

Lower Crime Than Regional Neighbors

Sweet Grass reports significantly less crime than neighboring Yellowstone County. Its total crime rate remains much lower than the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crimes

The county reports 622.1 violent crimes and 541.0 property crimes per 100,000 people. While the property crime rate is very low, the violent crime rate exceeds the national average of 369.8.

Keeping Sweet Grass Secure

Low property crime rates suggest a safe environment for homeowners. Residents should remain vigilant and use basic security measures to maintain this high safety standard.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Sweet Grass County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Small-Scale Educational Infrastructure

Sweet Grass County supports a compact educational network of 6 public schools serving 522 students. The infrastructure includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school distributed across five local districts.

High Graduation Rates Outpace State Averages

The county boasts an impressive 95.0% graduation rate, significantly exceeding both the Montana state average of 83.7% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Despite a per-pupil expenditure of $8,992—which is lower than the national average of $13,000—the county maintains a strong school score of 60.5.

Big Timber Elementary Leads the County

The Big Timber Elementary district is the primary provider of education here, managing two schools with 318 total students. No charter schools currently operate in the county, meaning traditional public districts manage 100% of the local student population.

Intimate Learning in a Rural Setting

All six schools in the county are classified as rural, with an average school size of just 87 students. While Big Timber School serves 243 students, the Greycliff School offers a highly personalized experience for only 6 students.

Find a Home in Sweet Grass

Families seeking high-performing schools with small class sizes should consider Sweet Grass County's strong graduation metrics. School quality is a primary driver of long-term property value in these tight-knit rural communities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sweet Grass County

via RiskByCounty

Sweet Grass sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 8.14 and a Very Low rating, Sweet Grass County faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the average U.S. county. Your exposure to major hazards is substantially below the national median, making this one of Montana's safer counties for natural disaster preparedness.

Among Montana's least risky counties

Sweet Grass ranks favorably within Montana, where the state average composite risk score is 33.31—more than four times higher than your county's 8.14. This places Sweet Grass in the lower tier of risk across the state's 56 counties.

Safer than nearby counties

Compared to neighboring Wheatland County (3.50) and Teton County (19.02), Sweet Grass holds a middle ground with its 8.14 score. Your risk profile is comparable to other central Montana counties, though wildfire exposure varies more significantly across the region.

Wildfire is your main concern

Wildfire risk dominates in Sweet Grass at 88.10, far outpacing other hazards like earthquake risk (34.86) and flood risk (19.69). While your overall composite risk remains low, preparation for wildfire season should be your primary focus for home and property protection.

Prioritize wildfire insurance coverage

Even with low overall risk, your wildfire exposure of 88.10 justifies reviewing your homeowner's policy to ensure adequate coverage for fire damage. Consider creating defensible space around your home and having an evacuation plan ready during Montana's fire season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Sweet Grass County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect Safety Record in Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass County earns a Grade A for drinking water safety with zero health violations over the last five years. The county maintains a violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents, outperforming the Montana state average of 393.8. This consistent record establishes a reliable baseline for local water consumers.

Pristine Conditions Across Assessed Watersheds

The 2022 EPA reporting cycle finds that 0.0% of the 23 assessed water bodies in the county are impaired. This performance matches the state average for high-quality aquatic environments under Clean Water Act standards. Every monitored stream currently meets its designated use requirements.

Active Monitoring Focused on Organics

Five monitoring sites across the county have generated 1,405 water-quality measurements in the past five years. Data collection focuses heavily on organic compounds and physical characteristics of the water. This consistent sampling provides local officials with a robust dataset for long-term planning.

Boulder River Flows Surge Past Mean

The USGS gauge on the Boulder River at Big Timber reports a current discharge of 2,340 cfs. This flow rate is a massive 418% of the long-term mean for this site. Such high volume indicates significant runoff or seasonal snowmelt currently moving through the drainage area.

Manage High Flows and Maintain Excellence

With the Boulder River running at 418% of its typical volume, residents should monitor private wells for turbidity or runoff impacts. While drinking water compliance is perfect, extreme streamflow can temporarily stress treatment infrastructure. Continue to support the watershed health that keeps local impairments at zero.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sweet Grass County

via WeatherByCounty

A snowy mountain climate

Sweet Grass County maintains an average annual temperature of 43.7°F, significantly cooler than the U.S. national median. This high-altitude environment receives 17.8 inches of annual precipitation, making it wetter than many of its semi-arid neighbors.

Meeting the Montana average

The county's 43.7°F annual temperature perfectly matches the Montana state average. While it tracks with the state for heat, its 77.6 inches of annual snowfall is nearly double that of several neighboring central counties.

Cooler summers than eastern neighbors

With a July average of 66.0°F, Sweet Grass stays much cooler than Yellowstone County to the east. It only experiences 15 days of extreme heat per year, offering a more temperate summer experience than the lower-elevation plains.

Brisk winters and heavy snow

Winter is defined by a 26.0°F average and substantial snowfall accumulating to over 77 inches annually. Summers are mild and brief, with average temperatures hovering around 63.0°F during the peak months of June through August.

Prepare for serious winter travel

Residents should prioritize high-performance winter tires and heavy-duty snow removal equipment to manage the significant 77.6-inch seasonal accumulation. While summer heat is rare, well-insulated homes are essential to combat the sub-freezing January nights that average 25.8°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sweet Grass County

via SoilByCounty

A High-Altitude Profile Awaiting Discovery

Detailed soil taxonomic data for Sweet Grass remains limited compared to the state average pH of 7.43. While local pH measurements are unavailable, regional trends suggest these soils are likely more alkaline than the national median of 6.5.

Evaluating Local Land Potential

While specific sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded here, the surrounding topography suggests a diverse mix of textures. Understanding these ratios is crucial for predicting how well the ground holds water versus how quickly it drains.

Seeking Organic Richness in the Shadows

Current data does not specify local organic matter, though the state average sits at 2.54%. Growers should conduct private testing to determine if their land meets the state's typical water capacity of 0.165 in/in.

Managing Water in Mountainous Terrain

Drainage classifications are currently unavailable for this specific county dataset. Gardeners should observe runoff patterns manually to ensure their sites don't suffer from excessive saturation or rapid drying.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 5a

Sweet Grass County sits in Hardiness Zone 5a, offering a slightly longer window than many Montana neighbors. Root vegetables and cold-hardy greens thrive here, so start your seeds early to make the most of the season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sweet Grass County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Lawn Challenges in Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass County earns a lawn difficulty score of 42.0, performing significantly better than the Montana state average of 33.4. While it remains more challenging than the national median of 50.0, the 5a hardiness zone provides a slightly milder window for growth. Gardeners here manage a delicate balance between high-altitude conditions and semi-arid plains.

Managing Sparse Rainfall and Cool Seasons

With 17.8 inches of annual precipitation, the county is dryer than the 30-inch ideal but exceeds the state average of 15.4 inches. Only 15 extreme heat days per year keep grass from scorching, though the 1628 growing degree days indicate a shorter season for maturation. Homeowners must supplement water during the critical peak summer weeks to maintain green turf.

Local Soil Data and Preparation

Specific soil metrics like pH and drainage class are currently unavailable for this area. Residents should conduct a local test to see if they match the ideal 6.0-7.0 pH range before investing in major seeding. Most Montana soils require organic matter additions to improve moisture retention in the absence of high clay or silt data.

Persistent Dryness Requires Smart Watering

Sweet Grass County spent 17 weeks in drought over the past year, with 91.5% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. Watering early in the morning reduces evaporation and helps grass survive these recurring dry spells. Deep, infrequent irrigation encourages the root systems to grow deeper and more resilient.

Starting Your Sweet Grass Lawn

For zone 5a, Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue are reliable choices that handle the cold winters well. Aim to seed or sod following the last spring frost on May 27 to take advantage of the early summer growth window. Starting your project in late August is also effective to establish roots before the September 18 fall frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sweet Grass County's county score?
Sweet Grass County, Montana has a composite county score of 64.6 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 Sweet Grass County rank among counties in Montana?
Sweet Grass County ranks #15 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 Sweet Grass County, Montana?
The median annual property tax in Sweet Grass County is $1,452, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Sweet Grass County a tax score of 86.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sweet Grass County?
The median household income in Sweet Grass County, Montana is $69,426 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sweet Grass County earns an income score of 65/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sweet Grass County, Montana a good place to live?
Sweet Grass County scores 64.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #15 in Montana. The best way to evaluate Sweet Grass 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 Sweet Grass 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.