Petroleum
Montana

What stands out

If you had to describe Petroleum County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is among the highest in America (27%), high-school completion is among the highest in America (100%), and natural-hazard risk is among the safest in America (0 of 100). Within Montana it ranks 4th of 56 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Petroleum County, Montana. 416 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 6.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +31).

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 $57,981 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $34,642. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 67% of American counties. 27% of workers work from home.

Montana takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,825 a year.

Home

The median home costs $199K, cheaper than 63% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,548 a month. Property tax is 0.85% of home value, roughly $1,298 a year on that median home, lower than 51% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 76% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 9.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

100% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 68 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 92% 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 47°F, highs near 60 and lows near 34, colder than 85% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 0 out of 100, safer than almost every county in America; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 212 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.