Custer County, Montana
Among the top 24% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 36% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 42% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 45% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 76% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 51% of US counties
- top 1% for commute time
- top 2% for sales tax
- bottom 4% for airport distance
Custer County is a county in Montana with about 12,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and C for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, sales tax, and park & nature access. It rates lower on comfortable days and airport distance.
Official websitecustercountymt.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Snowy
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v.cold
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83%59%clearovercast
Precipitation 1.6 in0.3 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$61k52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 14% of US counties
Home Value$201k68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$872better than 39% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 36% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.06%better than 35% of US counties
Income Tax5.90%better than 24% of US counties
Sales Tax0.00%better than 98% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden9.38%better than 52% of US counties
Unemployment3.3%better than 77% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation12.9 in4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall29.7 inbetter than 29% of US counties
Sunny Days246 daysbetter than 61% of US counties
Summer Humidity51°Fbetter than 90% of US counties
Comfortable Days46 daysbetter than 9% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk42.1better than 56% of US counties
Air Quality39 AQIbetter than 70% of US counties
School Quality37.2better than 11% of US counties
Violent Crime1011/100kbetter than 35% of US counties
Property Crime635/100kbetter than 65% of US counties
Community
Population11,95727th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age42.863rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1629th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0262nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+4761st percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)89.4%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.2%12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.6%39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.4%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.3%87th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time13 minbetter than 99% of US counties
Walkability8.6/20better than 89% of US counties
Airport Distance449 mibetter than 4% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access83.1%better than 48% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.00better than 12% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 96% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Custer County an affordable place to live?
- Custer County is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 14% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Custer County?
- The median home value in Custer County is $201k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Custer County?
- Median household income in Custer County is $61k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Custer County?
- Median gross rent in Custer County is $872 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Custer County safe?
- Custer County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1011/100k (better than 35%). Property crime is 635/100k.
- What is the weather like in Custer County?
- Custer County averages 74°F in July and 19°F in January, with 12.9 in of annual precipitation and about 246 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Custer County?
- Public-school quality in Custer County is below average, scoring better than 11% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Custer County?
- The average one-way commute in Custer County is 13 min.
Other counties in Montana
Explore Montana
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)