1st Advantage MortgageIn Jefferson County, Montana, the typical household earns $95,490 a year and the typical rent is $925. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Jefferson County, and confirm each one's Montana license.
On this page
- Jefferson County by the numbers
- Where Jefferson County households live
- Jefferson County against other Montana counties
- Jefferson County industries and commutes
- The $95,490 median and what sits around it
- The counties around Jefferson County
- Towns and communities in Jefferson County
- Jefferson County demographics against Montana
- What the numbers mean for Jefferson County borrowers
- $7,958 a month: the Jefferson County median budget
- Who licenses lenders for Jefferson County residents
- Before you sign
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
Jefferson County by the numbers
Roughly 12,774 residents live in Jefferson County, Montana, 16th by population among the state's 56 counties and county equivalents. Density: about 7.7 residents per square mile across 1,657 square miles of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Helena, MT metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Montana City is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 3,092 people (24% of the county total).
Where Jefferson County households live
$925 a month is the median gross rent in Jefferson County, 14% below the state. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 30% in Jefferson County, 45% statewide. With a median value of $446,900, a typical Jefferson County house costs 4.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 84% of Jefferson County households own their home and 16% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Home costs | Jefferson County | Montana | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 84% | 69% | +15.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 45% | -14.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 30% | -6.5 pts |
| Median home value | $446,900 | $375,800 | 19% higher |
| Median gross rent | $925/mo | $1,081/mo | 14% lower |
At a $446,900 median value, many Jefferson County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Jefferson County against other Montana counties
- On median household income, Jefferson County sits near the top of Montana at $95,490, the highest of 56. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Jefferson County ranks the highest of 56 Montana counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 48%, against 35% statewide. High earners still overpay when they skip comparing offers.
- Jefferson County ranks 3rd lowest of 56 Montana counties for the housing vacancy rate: 8%, against 13% statewide. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
Jefferson County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Jefferson County residents work in education and health care and 15% in public administration. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward public administration (15% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 14%; under 15 minutes: 28%. Households without a car make up 3.0% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Jefferson County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -3.0 pts |
| Public administration | 15.2% | +9.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -4.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The $95,490 median and what sits around it
$95,490 is the median household income for Jefferson County, set against $72,509 for Montana. In the state ranking that is 1st of 56.
| Band | Jefferson County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.5% | -7.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.4% | -6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.4% | +6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.7% | +6.7 pts |
On the low end, 15% of Jefferson County households report under $35,000; at the top, 48% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Jefferson County: 5.7%; Montana: 11.5%. Gini index for Jefferson County: 0.449. None of these numbers decides a Jefferson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The counties around Jefferson County
Distances run center to center, from Broadwater County at 30 miles out to Meagher County at 63. None of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson County; Gallatin County is highest at $93,528 and Deer Lodge County lowest at $57,527.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $95,490 | $925/mo | 84% |
| Broadwater County, MT | 30 mi | $70,374 | $955/mo | 88% |
| Silver Bow County, MT | 33 mi | $61,754 | $863/mo | 71% |
| Deer Lodge County, MT | 52 mi | $57,527 | $696/mo | 73% |
| Madison County, MT | 56 mi | $75,250 | $1,000/mo | 81% |
| Gallatin County, MT | 60 mi | $93,528 | $1,694/mo | 61% |
| Meagher County, MT | 63 mi | $71,932 | $1,263/mo | 75% |
Towns and communities in Jefferson County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Jefferson County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 9,285 residents, leaving about 27% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $123,391, South Hills over Whitehall. Median rent ranges from $745 in Whitehall to $2,077 in Montana City. No Jefferson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana City | CDP | 3,092 | $129,755 | $2,077 | 28 mi |
| Clancy | CDP | 1,874 | $125,000 | $978 | 23 mi |
| Boulder | city | 1,284 | $72,500 | $928 | 8 mi |
| Whitehall | town | 1,156 | $44,844 | $745 | 18 mi |
| South Hills | CDP | 620 | $168,235 | n/a | 30 mi |
| Jefferson City | CDP | 533 | $125,682 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Basin | CDP | 352 | $46,597 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Rader Creek | CDP | 310 | $100,691 | n/a | 23 mi |
| Elkhorn | CDP | 34 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Cardwell | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
Jefferson County demographics against Montana
Bachelor's degree or higher: 32% of Jefferson County adults. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Jefferson County | vs Montana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1 | +6.7 yrs | +5.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.2% | -3.0 pts | +10.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | +0.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | -2.7 pts | -2.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | -1.7 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Work from home | 12.7% | +0.2 pts | +4.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | -5.8 pts | -7.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | +0.6 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
What the numbers mean for Jefferson County borrowers
- Fixed incomes. Jefferson County's median age is 47.1. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Higher earners. 48% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
$7,958 a month: the Jefferson County median budget
Jefferson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson County: $7,958
- Housing at the median rent of $925 uses 12%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,860 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $2,656 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Jefferson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who licenses lenders for Jefferson County residents
Consumer lenders serving Jefferson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Montana that is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Jefferson County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Jefferson County
No city in Jefferson County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Jefferson County rank on income in Montana?
1st of 56, with a median of $95,490. The state median is $72,509.
What do renters pay in Jefferson County?
$925 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson County?
By population: Montana City, Clancy, Boulder, Whitehall, South Hills. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Will a Jefferson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Montana as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jefferson County residents?
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Montana; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.