CountyScore

Wibaux County

Montana · MT

#12 in Montana
76.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wibaux County, Montana

Well Above National Livability Standards

Wibaux County scores 76.3, nearly 53% above the national median of 50.0 and ranking among the strongest performers in this Montana group. The county demonstrates balanced livability across most dimensions.

Strong Standing in Montana

At 76.3, Wibaux ranks solidly above the state average of 72.1 and in the upper tier of Montana counties by livability. The county punches above its weight for a rural area.

Affordability and Tax Efficiency Reign

Wibaux excels in housing cost (82.8/100) with the lowest median home value in the group at $92,300, plus affordable rent at $964/month. Tax burden is excellent (82.3/100) at 0.709%, and health outcomes (74.1) are solid.

Limited Income Opportunity

The income score of 25.7 reflects median household income of $64,792, lower than what economic strength elsewhere in the county might suggest. This indicates employment scarcity or wage limitations.

Ideal for Homebuyers on Tight Budgets

Wibaux is perfect for first-time homebuyers, young families, or those seeking to own property on minimal income—its $92,300 median home price is unbeatable. It appeals to people willing to trade career growth for ownership opportunity and tax relief.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk89WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89
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 Wibaux County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Grant County
Arkansas
76.3
Median income: $72,512
Huerfano County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $52,139
Saguache County
Colorado
76.3
Median income: $54,283
Ohio County
Indiana
76.3
Median income: $67,942
Jackson County
Minnesota
76.3
Median income: $69,955

Deep Dives

Wibaux County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wibaux County

via TaxByCounty

Wibaux rates moderate, bills minimal

Wibaux County's effective rate of 0.709% sits slightly below the national median of 0.767%, placing it in the middle 40% of U.S. counties. However, the median tax bill of just $654 on a $92,300 home—the lowest in the profiled region—reflects Wibaux's sparse, rural character.

Below-average tax burden statewide

Wibaux's 0.709% rate sits 7% below Montana's state average of 0.767%, with a median tax of $654—nearly $1,150 below the state median. This reflects both modest home values and relatively restrained assessment practices.

Lowest absolute taxes in region

Though Wibaux's effective rate ranks mid-range, it has the lowest median tax bill of all eight counties profiled at just $654. This reflects its much lower median home value of $92,300, making property ownership the most affordable here in raw dollars.

Median home costs $654 yearly

Wibaux County homeowners with a median home of $92,300 pay approximately $654 in annual property taxes—the region's lowest bill. Adding county assessments and mortgage-related items increases that to $772.

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 Wibaux County

via CostByCounty

Wibaux rents strain despite decent income

Wibaux County's median household income of $64,792 falls short of the national median of $74,755, yet renters here spend 17.9% of income on housing—above typical U.S. norms. The $964 monthly rent sits above national and state medians, creating affordability pressure despite moderately stable local earnings.

Above Montana's rental affordability line

Wibaux County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Montana's state average of 15.9%, marking it among the state's less affordable rental markets. The $964 median rent is one of the highest in this analysis and well above Montana's $825 state median.

Highest rents, lowest home values

Wibaux's $964 rent is among the region's highest, but homes here are extraordinarily affordable at just $92,300 median value—the lowest in this analysis. This unusual disconnect suggests tight rental markets and depressed property values, creating divergent affordability patterns by tenure.

Rental burden outweighs ownership costs

Renters pay $964 monthly (17.9% of the $64,792 income), while homeowners spend just $535 on homes valued near $92,300. The dramatic gap suggests that ownership is far more affordable than renting in Wibaux County—an atypical pattern worth investigating before relocating.

A landlord's market with bargain homes

Wibaux County presents a puzzle: rents are among Montana's highest, but homes sell for remarkably low prices. Relocators should prioritize homeownership here to capture the value; renters considering a move should budget carefully for tight rental market conditions.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wibaux County

via IncomeByCounty

Wibaux slightly below national average

Wibaux County's median household income of $64,792 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $9,963. While below the national benchmark, the county remains competitive with many rural American communities.

Wibaux outperforms state average

At $64,792, Wibaux's median household income exceeds Montana's county average of $62,295 by 4%. The county holds a secure middle position in Montana's income rankings.

Wibaux competitive with peers

Wibaux's $64,792 matches Valley ($64,515) nearly evenly and surpasses Toole ($53,693) and Wheatland ($47,054). However, it trails Sweet Grass ($69,426), Teton ($67,766), Treasure ($73,036), and Yellowstone ($74,400).

Rent affordable; homes very cheap

Wibaux's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio is manageable, but the real story is the median home value of just $92,300—barely 1.4 years of income. This exceptional affordability creates a genuine wealth-building opportunity.

Leverage ultra-low housing costs

Wibaux's $92,300 median home price is a rare wealth accelerator—homeownership unlocks equity building with modest income. Prioritize getting on the property ladder, then reinvest home equity gains into additional investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wibaux County

via HealthByCounty

Limited data obscures Wibaux health

Wibaux County's life expectancy is unavailable, but the 17.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17.1%, suggesting health challenges. Comprehensive data collection would help clarify resident health trends in this small county.

Above-average poor/fair health rate

Wibaux's 17.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds Montana's state average of around 16.5%, indicating higher rates of self-reported poor or fair health. Life expectancy data is unavailable, limiting full state-level comparison.

Mid-range health among peers

Wibaux's 17.5% poor/fair health rate falls between healthier counties like Sweet Grass (13.4%) and sicker counties like Toole (19.5%) and Wheatland (19.1%). Without life expectancy data, full regional health ranking remains incomplete.

Uninsured gap and data gaps

Wibaux's 12.4% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average of 11.9%, though primary care and mental health provider data are unavailable. These missing data points highlight the challenges of healthcare infrastructure in very small rural communities.

Get covered in Wibaux County

Wibaux residents without insurance should enroll in Montana Medicaid or marketplace plans immediately through health.mt.gov or healthcare.gov. Community health centers may provide services on a sliding scale regardless of insurance status.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wibaux County

via RiskByCounty

Wibaux County maintains low national risk

Wibaux County's composite risk score of 11.07 with a Very Low rating sits well below the average U.S. county's natural disaster exposure. Your county benefits from a location that minimizes flooding, earthquake, and major weather hazards.

Below-average risk within Montana

At 11.07, Wibaux's composite risk falls significantly short of Montana's state average of 33.31, positioning your county among the state's safer regions. This favorable standing holds true across most hazard categories except wildfire.

Slightly riskier than immediate neighbors

Wibaux's 11.07 score exceeds nearby Wheatland (3.50) but trails Treasure (0.51) and sits well below Valley (35.94), placing it in the lower-middle range of regional risk. Tornado risk at 8.65 is your county's distinction compared to some neighbors.

Wildfire and tornado concerns

Wildfire risk at 41.86 and tornado risk at 8.65 represent Wibaux's primary exposures, while flood (3.69) and earthquake (2.00) risks are negligible. Your eastern Montana location leaves you relatively exposed to fire season but protected from seismic activity.

Ensure wildfire and wind coverage

Your homeowner's policy should explicitly cover wildfire damage and confirm strong wind/hail protection for tornado-related events. These two coverage areas address Wibaux County's primary natural disaster 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.