Wheatland
Montana

What stands out

What stands out about Wheatland County: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the share working from home is among the highest in America (23%), and home internet speed is in the bottom 2% of American counties (54 Mbps). Within Montana it ranks 4th of 56 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wheatland County, Montana. 2,060 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +25).

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 $48,272 a year, lower than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,277. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 61% of American counties. 23% of workers work from home.

Montana takes 4.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,276 a year.

Home

The median home costs $185K, cheaper than 69% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $667 a month. Property tax is 0.65% of home value, roughly $1,061 a year on that median home, lower than 71% of American counties. 77% 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.

A child born here can expect to live 74.2 years, shorter than 68% 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. 17.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.92 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 58% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 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 44°F, highs near 57 and lows near 31, colder than 93% of American counties. About 17 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 4 out of 100, safer than 96% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 54 Mbps down, slower than 98% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1 brewery.