Hill County Public RecordsMontana

Hill County, Montana, with around 9,900 registered voters as of 2022, conducts local, state, and federal elections, including school board and municipal races. The Clerk & Recorder’s office administers elections across 15 polling locations, such as Havre High Gym. In the 2020 presidential election, voters favored Republicans by 56% to Democrats’ 40%. Key ballot issues include agriculture policy and rural infrastructure. Hill County typically sees voter turnout near 70%. The main parties are Republican and Democrat, and voter registration is available in-person or by mail up to 30 days before an election.

Hill County, MT hosts several public schools, including Havre High School, serving around 500 students with an 81% graduation rate. About 17% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Havre Public Schools district includes 5 schools with an average student-teacher ratio of 14:1. School safety scores are above state average according to Niche, and programs include Advanced Placement, career and technical education, and adult learning at MSU-Northern. The county prioritizes safe, inclusive educational environments and offers continuing education for adults through local community resources.

As of 2022, Hill County, MT, had an employment rate of approximately 59.1%. The largest industries include Health Care & Social Assistance (19.8%), Retail Trade (13.1%), and Educational Services (10.9%). Most workers are employed in office & administrative support (12.2%), management (8.9%), and sales (8.7%) occupations. About 78.6% of residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 13.9 minutes. Major employment locations include Havre, the county seat, featuring Northern Montana Hospital and Montana State University–Northern.

Hill County, MT has a homeownership rate of around 65%, with median home values near $165,000 in 2023. The median rent is approximately $800 per month. The housing market is stable, with slight value increases over recent years. Single-family homes dominate, with some multi-family units and rentals. Havre is the county's main city, offering established neighborhoods and access to amenities. Property taxes average 1.2% of assessed value, below the national average. The region’s housing remains affordable, with manageable taxes and a variety of ownership and rental options for residents.

Hill County, MT, experiences a moderate crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the overall crime rate was about 32.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, with property crimes (25.4/1,000) far outnumbering violent crimes (7.4/1,000). The county sheriff’s office actively reports and tracks crime statistics, aiding community response and prevention efforts. Despite occasional spikes—often linked to drug-related offenses—overall trends show steady or slightly declining crime rates. Neighborhood safety initiatives and increased patrols have contributed to improving public safety in recent years.

As of the 2020 Census, Hill County, MT, had a population of 16,309. The median age is around 36 years. About 50.2% of residents are male and 49.8% female. The racial and ethnic composition includes 65.5% White and 30.3% Native American, with smaller percentages of Black (0.2%), Asian (0.5%), and Hispanic or Latino (2.4%). The county has a diverse mix, with a significant Native American community, notably from the Rocky Boy reservation.