Granite County Public RecordsMontana

Granite County, Montana, has about 2,100 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include local, state, and federal contests, with recent presidential results favoring Republicans (Trump 68% in 2020). Main polling locations are in Philipsburg and Drummond, plus mail-in ballots. Voters face issues like land use and property taxes. Administration is handled by the County Election Office, overseen by the County Clerk and Recorder. Party registration is not required, but primary ballots are party-specific. Republican and Democratic parties are most active, with independents also present in significant numbers.

Granite County, MT, has three public schools, including Granite High School, serving around 350 K-12 students. Approximately 91% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 24% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Test scores are near the Montana average, with a 2023 high school graduation rate of 93%. School safety reports are positive, and adult education is available through local extension programs. Educational options are limited but include career-technical courses and extracurricular activities, supporting a safe and moderately successful academic environment.

Granite County, MT has an employment rate of approximately 56% for residents aged 16 and over. Major industries include health care and social assistance (23%), accommodation and food services (14%), and construction (11%). The most common occupations are management (13%), office/administrative support (12%), and sales (10%). About 79% of workers commute by car, with a mean travel time of 17 minutes. Most are employed within the county, but around 23% commute to neighboring counties like Missoula or Deer Lodge for work.

Granite County, MT, boasts a homeownership rate of about 77%, with a median home value near $308,000 as of 2023. Rental housing is limited, comprising roughly 23% of occupied units, with median gross rent around $800/month. Housing types include historic Victorians in Philipsburg and rural single-family homes. Neighborhoods such as Drummond offer affordable options. Property values have risen steadily, reflecting a 12% increase over the past year. Property taxes remain moderate, with an average effective rate of 0.8%, making the county attractive for both buyers and investors seeking scenic western Montana living.

Granite County, MT, maintains a low crime rate compared to state and national averages. In recent years, the county reported approximately 30-40 crimes annually, with property crimes averaging about 25 cases and violent crimes fewer than 5 per year. The Sheriff's Office handles crime reporting and encourages community vigilance. Crime rate per 1,000 residents remains under 10, significantly safer than the Montana state average of about 23. Frequent reporting and rural community engagement contribute to the county’s overall safety.

As of 2022, Granite County, MT, had a population of approximately 3,300. The median age was 56.3 years, with about 24% aged 65 or older. The gender distribution is nearly equal—about 50.2% male and 49.8% female. The population is predominantly White (about 95.6%), with small percentages of Native American (1.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2.0%), and other races. The county's aging demographic and low diversity reflect typical rural Montana trends.