Blaine
Montana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Blaine County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the average commute is in the bottom 2% of American counties (13 minutes), and life expectancy is in the bottom 2% of American counties (68.5 years). Within Montana it ranks 4th of 56 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Blaine County, Montana. 7,030 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -87).

Montana has no sales tax and a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.65% for 2026. It taxes Social Security above income thresholds. Home prices in Bozeman, Missoula and the Flathead Valley roughly doubled between 2019 and 2023 as remote workers arrived, and the state passed a package of zoning reforms in 2023 to add housing supply. Wildfire smoke is now a regular late-summer feature.

Money

The typical household here brings in $58,507 a year, lower than 56% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,033. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 60% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 13 minutes each way.

Montana takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,854 a year.

Home

The median home costs $217K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $672 a month. Property tax is 1.57% of home value, roughly $1,872 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 82% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 68.5 years, shorter than 98% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 5.7 per 10,000 people. 13.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.97 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 55% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 20 points. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Montana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 44°F, highs near 56 and lows near 31, colder than 94% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 16 out of 100, safer than 84% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 98 Mbps down, slower than 88% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation.