Carter County Real Estate and Livability Trends
Carter County, Montana’s real estate market displays notable variability in several indicators, offering a potentially opportunistic yet unstable environment for investors. Average taxable income per tax return peaked at $59,729.31 in 2021, up from $40,642.37 in 2020, paired with fluctuating tax liabilities and state taxes, impacting financial planning and investment strategies. Median home... Read more
Carter County Market Trends
Carter County, Montana has shown a significant increase in median home values, climbing from $87,500 in 2015 to $140,900 in 2022. This growth, though lower than the state average, could signal potential investment opportunities in a less competitive market. Real estate taxes have fluctuated notably, with a $750.00 average in 2014 jumping to $1,525.00 by 2016, hinting at underlying shifts in... Read more
Median Value of Occupied Housing Units in Carter County, Montana Over the Last 8 Years
Carter County, Montana has seen a steady increase in median home values over the last 8 years, with a jump from $87,500 in 2015 to $140,900 in 2022. While this is significantly lower than the Montana state average, which rose from $193,500 to $305,700 in the same period, the growth percentage in Carter County could suggest opportunities for investors looking for lower entry points with potential appreciation. On a national level, the median home value has also increased, but at $179,400 in 2022, it's still higher than Carter County, emphasizing the relative affordability of properties in this region.
Average Real Estate Taxes Per Tax Return in Carter County, MT Over the Last 6 Years
In Carter County, Montana, there has been a notable fluctuation in average real estate taxes over the past six years. From 2012 to 2014, taxes generally decreased, starting at $875.00 in 2012 and dropping to $833.33 in 2013, and $750.00 in 2014. However, a sharp increase occurred in 2016, with taxes soaring to $1,525.00, which remained consistent through 2017. This substantial hike, particularly from 2015 to 2016, is worth considering for potential investors and property developers, indicating significant changes in property valuations or tax policy that could impact future real estate investments.
Percentage of Farm Returns in Carter County, MT Over the Last 10 Years
Over the last decade, the percentage of farm tax returns in Carter County, Montana has shown a gradual decline, hovering between 43.64% in 2012 and 40.00% in 2021. Farm tax returns are tax filings from agricultural operations, and a decline in their percentage could indicate shifts in land use, economic challenges in farming, or an aging farmer population. For potential investors or those looking to build property, this trend might suggest changes in the local economy that could impact land values and community sustainability.
Number of Mortgages by Occupancy Type in Carter County, MT Over the Last 5 Years in Carter County
Over the last five years in Carter County, Montana, the number of mortgages for principal residences has consistently dominated the market compared to investment and second residences. Notably, in 2020, there was a significant spike in mortgages for principal residences, reaching 18, contrasted with relatively low and stable figures for investment properties and a rare occurrence for second residences. This trend can affect investor interest, property appraisals, insurance rates, and real estate dynamics, offering insights into the local housing market's stability and future potential. Investors and builders should be particularly attuned to the dominance of principal residencies, suggesting a steady demand for owner-occupied housing.
Economic Outlook
Carter County, Montana has experienced some variability in average taxable income per tax return over the past nine years, peaking at $59,729.31 in 2021 after a dip to $40,642.37 in 2020, indicating a potentially opportunistic yet unstable environment for investors and real estate agents. State and local income taxes peaked at $6,187.50 in 2015 before decreasing to $3,650.00 by 2021, suggesting implications for financial planning and investment strategies. Total tax liability has shown notable... Read more
Average Taxable Income per Tax Return in Carter County, MT over the last 9 years
Carter County, Montana has shown some variability in average taxable income per tax return over the past nine years, peaking at $59,729.31 in 2021 after a dip to $40,642.37 in 2020. The 2015 figure of $57,787.72 was also notably high, indicating potential short-term economic boosts or fluctuations. This could suggest a somewhat unstable but potentially opportunistic environment for investors, appraisers, and real estate agents seeking growth potential in both property values and income levels. The periodic dips, however, signal that thorough due diligence is necessary, particularly for those looking to build or insure property in the region.
Average State and Local Income Taxes Per Tax Return in Carter County, MT Over the Last 8 Years
In Carter County, Montana, average state and local income taxes per tax return have shown some significant fluctuations over the last eight years. Investment and real estate interests might note the steep rise around 2015, peaking at $6,187.50, then decreasing to $3,650.00 by 2021. These shifts could impact financial planning, particularly for investors and those considering property development in the area. As taxes have stabilized in recent years, it may present a more predictable fiscal environment for future economic activities.
Average Total Tax Liability Per Tax Return in Carter County, MT Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, Carter County, Montana has seen noticeable fluctuations in its average total tax liability per tax return. Starting at $4,890.48 in 2012, there was a significant rise peaking at $8,204.44 in 2015, followed by a varied trend with occasional dips and rises, registering $6,883.72 in 2016 and then dropping to $5,588.64 in 2019. By 2021, the average settled at $6,468.09. This volatility can be insightful for potential investors, real estate agents, and insurance agents as it may reflect underlying economic shifts impacting the region's financial landscape. For those considering moving to or building property in Carter County, understanding these fiscal trends might aid in better financial planning.
Cost of Living in Carter County
| Family Size | Housing | Food | Heath Care | Child Care | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults 4 children | $1,174 | $1,500 | $1,968 | $1,292 | $1,478 |
| 1 adult 4 children | $1,174 | $1,225 | $1,524 | $1,292 | $1,628 |
| 2 adults 3 children | $1,174 | $1,225 | $1,698 | $1,292 | $1,215 |
| 1 adult 3 children | $1,174 | $1,000 | $1,254 | $1,292 | $1,355 |
| 2 adults 2 children | $826 | $1,003 | $1,428 | $1,120 | $966 |
| 1 adult 2 children | $826 | $749 | $984 | $1,120 | $969 |
| 2 adults 1 child | $826 | $793 | $1,159 | $560 | $848 |
| 1 adult 1 child | $826 | $512 | $714 | $560 | $719 |
| 2 adults | $731 | $637 | $889 | $0 | $683 |
| 1 adult | $596 | $347 | $444 | $0 | $573 |
Demographics
Carter County, Montana exhibits a balanced gender distribution with slightly more females than males. The educational attainment data suggests that a significant portion of adults have some college education but no degree, although high school graduation rates are also substantial. Age distribution indicates a noticeable concentration of individuals in the 55 to 64 age bracket, reflecting an aging population. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with minimal representation from other... Read more
Race Distribution in Carter County, Montana (2022)
Educational Attainment in Carter County, Montana (2022)
Age Distribution in Carter County, Montana
Citizen Population in Carter County, Montana (2022)
Political Trends & Data
Carter County, Montana, appears to strongly favor Republican ideals, as evidenced by the nearly 90% vote share for the Republican candidate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Democratic support was significantly lower at around 9%, with Libertarians barely scratching 2%. This political landscape might influence the local real estate market by attracting buyers with similar conservative values, potentially impacting both demand and the nature of development within the... Read more
Percentage of Votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by Party
In Carter County, Montana, the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election saw an overwhelming preference for the Republican candidate, with nearly 90% of the votes, leaving the Democratic candidate with roughly 9%. Libertarian support barely reached 2%, while the Green Party and other candidates received negligible or no support. These figures might suggest that Carter County is a stronghold for Republican values, significantly outperforming other parties by a wide margin.
89.70% of voters voted for the Republican party in the 2020 Presidential Election
8.56% of voters voted for the Democrat party in the 2020 Presidential Election
1.74% of voters voted for the Livertarian party in the 2020 Presidential Election
School Data
Carter County, Montana has experienced an upswing in its student-to-teacher ratio, hitting a peak of nearly 10 in 2021 but now leveling off at around 7, still well below the national average of 14. With smaller class sizes potentially appealing to families focused on education, this could attract residential buyers. This trend might signal a worthwhile factor for real estate investors, agents, appraisers, and even insurance agents to consider, as it could positively influence property values... Read more
Student-to-teacher ratio in Carter County, Montana over the last 10 years
Carter County, Montana has seen its student-to-teacher ratio increase over the past decade, rising from about 5 students per teacher in 2014 to a peak of nearly 10 in 2021 before stabilizing around 7 in recent years. This is still significantly lower than the national average of 14 students per teacher, suggesting smaller class sizes that might appeal to families seeking more individualized attention for their children's education. For real estate investors and agents, this trend could indicate a draw for residential buyers prioritizing education. Lower ratios are also relevant for appraisers and insurance agents as they could affect property values and community desirability.
