Ravalli
Montana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Ravalli County is unusual in three ways: winter sunshine is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.3 on the USDA scale), the average temperature is in the bottom 3% of American counties (42°F), and the median home price is in the top 4% of American counties ($606K). Within Montana it ranks 10th of 56 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ravalli County, Montana. 44,876 people live here with you. The population grew 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +719).

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 $67,424 a year, higher than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,992. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 71% of American counties. 12% 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 $3,358 a year.

Home

The median home costs $606K, pricier than 96% of American counties, about 4.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $863 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $2,125 a year on that median home, lower than 81% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.6 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 76 active physicians in the county, about 16.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 13.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.04 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 57% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 29 points. 82% 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 42°F, highs near 54 and lows near 30, colder than 97% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 88 out of 100, riskier than 88% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 93 Mbps down, slower than 89% of American counties. There are 12 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 5 museums.