Rosebud County, Montana Property Taxes

What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Rosebud County?

Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Rosebud County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.

Below, compare Rosebud County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Montana or the U.S. median of 1.02%.

Rosebud County's median effective rate stands at 0.88%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Rosebud County, the highest rate is found in LAME DEER at 1.46%, while HATHAWAY has the lowest at 0.50%.

These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.

Property tax bills in Rosebud County are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the county’s tax rate to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, so a higher assessment usually means a higher tax bill. The amount a homeowner owes can also vary by location within the county, since different cities and districts may levy different rates.

With a median home price of $88,500, many homeowners in Rosebud County face relatively modest property taxes compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. The county’s tax bills range widely, from $407 at the 25th percentile to $1,522 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $2,180. Median bills also differ by city, from $230 in Lame Deer to $1,166 in Forsyth. For homeowners, understanding how assessed value and local rates work is important because even small changes can affect what they pay each year.