Big Horn County Public RecordsMontana

Big Horn County, MT, has around 15 public schools, including 3 high schools. Approximately 82% of adults are high school graduates, but only about 12% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average school test scores are below the Montana state average. Educational programs include STEM and Native American language instruction, reflecting local heritage. The county invests in adult education and GED courses. School safety initiatives are in place, with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 12:1.

As of 2022, Big Horn County, MT, had an employment rate of approximately 53%. Leading industries include education, health care, and social assistance (32%), public administration (12%), and retail trade (8%). Most employed residents work in office/administrative (20%), education (13%), and management occupations (12%). Around 77% of workers commute by car, with an average one-way commute time of 24 minutes. Major employment locations are Hardin, Crow Agency, and surrounding towns, with about 71% working within the county.

Big Horn County, Montana, has a homeownership rate of around 71%, with a median home value near $172,000 (2022). Median gross rent is about $664 per month. The housing stock is predominantly single-family homes, with some mobile homes and a limited number of multifamily units. Neighborhoods are largely rural, encompassing small towns like Hardin and Lodge Grass. Property values have shown modest growth in recent years. Annual property taxes average about 0.83% of home value, generally below the national average, making homeownership relatively affordable in this county.

Big Horn County, MT, has a crime rate higher than the national average, with recent FBI data reporting a violent crime rate of approximately 5.3 incidents per 1,000 residents and property crimes at about 13.2 per 1,000. Law enforcement agencies encourage community reporting and have increased collaboration with tribal authorities. While the overall crime trend has seen fluctuations, ongoing safety initiatives aim to reduce incidents and improve response times, with 88.5% of crimes reported within 24 hours. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and participate in local prevention programs.

Big Horn County, MT, had approximately 6,400 registered voters for the 2022 general election. Residents participate in federal, state, and local elections, including school board and tribal elections, with turnout reaching around 55%. In 2022, Democrats received 43% of the county’s vote; Republicans got 54%. There are 14 polling locations, mainly in Hardin, Lodge Grass, and Crow Agency. Key issues include land use and Native American rights; a significant Native American population shapes local priorities. The Clerk and Recorder's Office administers elections, with Democrats and Republicans as major parties. Voter registration is available online or at county offices.

As of 2023, Big Horn County, MT, has a population of approximately 13,100. The median age is about 31. Around 51% are female and 49% male. The county is predominantly Native American (64%), largely from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes, while about 32% are White, and the remainder includes small percentages of other races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up roughly 4% of the population.