County brief·Updated June 2, 2026

Jefferson County, Montana Eviction Risk: Very Low

12 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Montana City (2.2) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

County Risk Score1.7/ 10 · Very Low

Cities tracked12municipalities

Census tracts3scored

Population10kLiving in 12 cities

Income spent on rent25.6%avg renter household

Average rent$1,326/ month

How Jefferson County ranks in Montana

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most

Eviction Risk Score

Low

#45 of 56 MT counties 1.7 / 10

#45 of 56 counties in Montana for landlord eviction risk.

Cost of living

Moderate

#30 of 51 states (statewide) 94.6 index

Montana ranks #30 of 51 states on overall cost of living (5.4% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Housing services cost

Moderate

#28 of 51 states (statewide) 84.6 index

Montana ranks #28 of 51 states on housing services (15.4% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Income spent on rent

Moderate

#27 of 56 MT counties 25.1% of income

#27 of 56 counties in Montana on % of income spent on rent.

Cities in Jefferson County

Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first

Map view

	City↕	Population↕	Risk↕	% income on rent↕	Average rent↕	Lean↕
001	Montana City Pop 3,092 · 31.8% income · $2,077 rent · Rep	3,092	1.5	31.8%	$2,077	Rep
002	Clancy Pop 1,874 · 20.9% income · $978 rent · Rep	1,874	2.1	20.9%	$978	Rep
003	Boulder Pop 1,284 · 13.5% income · $928 rent · Rep	1,284	1.5	13.5%	$928	Rep
004	Whitehall Pop 1,156 · 30.9% income · $745 rent · Rep	1,156	1.8	30.9%	$745	Rep
005	South Hills Pop 620 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	620	1.5	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
006	Jefferson City Pop 533 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	533	1.6	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
007	Unionville Pop 412 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	412	1.9	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
008	Basin Pop 352 · 23.2% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	352	2.2	23.2%	$1,114	Rep
009	Willow Creek Pop 181 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	181	2.0	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
010	Rimini Pop 118 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	118	1.5	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
011	Elkhorn Pop 34 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	34	1.5	25.8%	$1,114	Rep
012	Cardwell Pop 30 · 25.8% income · $1,114 rent · Rep	30	1.6	25.8%	$1,114	Rep

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Jefferson County spans 12 cities serving approximately 9,686 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 1.7/10. The county voted Republican by 33.2 points in 2020.

Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated June 2, 2026

Peer counties in Montana

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score

Where eviction risk concentrates in Jefferson County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Jefferson County

What is the eviction risk range in Jefferson County?

Scores range from 1.5 to 2.2 across 12 cities in Jefferson County. The 1.7 average masks meaningful intra-county variance.

What is the renter share in Jefferson County?

16.3% of households in Jefferson County are renter-occupied per ACS 2023 5-year estimates.

What is the average rent in Jefferson County?

Average gross rent across Jefferson County averages $1,326/month.