Dawson County, Montana
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 45% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 56% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 38% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 66% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 60% of US counties
- top 2% for sales tax
- top 6% for commute time
- bottom 3% for airport distance
Dawson County is a county in Montana with about 8,915 residents. It grades B for getting around and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include sales tax, commute time, and summer humidity. It rates lower on amenities nearby and airport distance.
Official websitedawsoncountymontana.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Snowy
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84%59%clearovercast
Precipitation 2.1 in0.4 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$68k70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$50kbetter than 21% of US counties
Home Value$197k67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$791better than 56% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 32% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.10%better than 33% of US counties
Income Tax5.90%better than 24% of US counties
Sales Tax0.00%better than 98% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden9.08%better than 59% of US counties
Unemployment3.0%better than 83% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)18°F9th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation15.1 in7th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall22.6 inbetter than 37% of US counties
Sunny Days246 daysbetter than 61% of US counties
Summer Humidity51°Fbetter than 90% of US counties
Comfortable Days59 daysbetter than 16% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk63.8better than 35% of US counties
School Quality52.2better than 45% of US counties
Violent Crime1114/100kbetter than 30% of US counties
Property Crime675/100kbetter than 63% of US counties
Community
Population8,91520th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age42.863rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1115th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0783rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+5978th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)91.5%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.8%30th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)2.7%28th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.0%9th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.0%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time16 minbetter than 94% of US counties
Walkability7.4/20better than 81% of US counties
Airport Distance516 mibetter than 3% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access87.0%better than 73% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.00better than 12% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 86% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dawson County an affordable place to live?
- Dawson County is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $50k, better than 21% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Dawson County?
- The median home value in Dawson County is $197k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Dawson County?
- Median household income in Dawson County is $68k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Dawson County?
- Median gross rent in Dawson County is $791 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Dawson County safe?
- Dawson County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1114/100k (better than 30%). Property crime is 675/100k.
- What is the weather like in Dawson County?
- Dawson County averages 72°F in July and 18°F in January, with 15.1 in of annual precipitation and about 246 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Dawson County?
- Public-school quality in Dawson County is about average, scoring better than 45% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Dawson County?
- The average one-way commute in Dawson County is 16 min.
Other counties in Montana
Explore Montana
Data sources
- 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)