Deer Lodge
Montana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Deer Lodge County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (40°F), winter sunshine is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.3 on the USDA scale), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 6% of American counties (1.5 per 1,000). Within Montana it ranks 1st of 56 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Deer Lodge County, Montana. 9,435 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +174).

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 $46,436 a year, lower than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,260. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 85% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Montana takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,182 a year.

Home

The median home costs $297K, pricier than 69% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $627 a month. Property tax is 0.89% of home value, roughly $1,564 a year on that median home, higher than 52% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.9 years, shorter than 60% of American counties. There are 34 active physicians in the county, about 36.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 9.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.87 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 66% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 24 points. 63% 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 40°F, highs near 51 and lows near 28, colder than almost every county in America. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 9 out of 100, safer than 91% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 177 Mbps down, slower than 60% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.