Jefferson
Montana

What stands out

Three things set Jefferson County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average temperature is in the bottom 4% of American counties (43°F), the median home price is in the top 5% of American counties ($532K), and homeownership is in the top 6% of American counties (83%). Within Montana it ranks 17th of 56 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Jefferson County, Montana. 12,273 people live here with you. The population grew 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +245).

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 $73,875 a year, higher than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,570. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 82% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Montana takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,723 a year.

Home

The median home costs $532K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 3.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,016 a month. Property tax is 0.60% of home value, roughly $2,114 a year on that median home, lower than 78% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 83% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.9 years, longer than 50% of American counties. There are 30 active physicians in the county, about 24.4 per 10,000 people. 11.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.24 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 79% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 24 points. 86% 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 43°F, highs near 55 and lows near 31, colder than 96% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 110 Mbps down, slower than 85% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.