Petroleum County Public RecordsMontana

Petroleum County, MT, has just one K-12 public school, the Petroleum County School, serving roughly 40 students. The high school graduation rate is about 85%, but only around 15% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Standardized test scores are near Montana’s average. The district emphasizes personalized education and school safety, with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1. Adult education options are limited, mostly provided through online programs. Extracurricular and advanced educational programs are modest due to small enrollment but include agriculture and vocational courses supporting community needs.

As of 2022, Petroleum County, Montana, has a labor force participation rate of 59.8% and an unemployment rate of about 3.1%. The primary employment sectors are agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (around 38%), followed by educational services, healthcare, and social assistance (16%). Most workers are in management, business, and financial occupations (28%). Nearly 74% of employees work within the county, with an average commute time of 14.5 minutes. The workforce largely consists of self-employed or family business workers (about 29%).

Petroleum County, Montana, has a high homeownership rate of about 81%, with median home values around $137,000 (2022 estimates). The rental market is minimal, with median gross rents near $700. Housing is predominantly single-family detached homes, and the county is sparsely populated, lacking defined neighborhoods. Property values have remained relatively stable, with modest year-on-year increases. Property tax rates are low, around 0.85% of assessed value, reflecting the rural character of the area and limited municipal services. Overall, housing is affordable compared to national averages, catering mainly to owners rather than renters.

Petroleum County, MT, is known for being one of the safest counties in the state, with extremely low crime rates. According to 2022 data, the county reported only 1 property crime and 0 violent crimes, resulting in a crime rate of approximately 10.8 incidents per 100,000 residents—the lowest in Montana. With a population of fewer than 500 people, law enforcement presence is limited but effective, and incidents are promptly reported to the Montana Department of Justice. Overall, Petroleum County maintains a notably high safety rating compared to state and national averages.

Petroleum County, MT, with around 496 residents (2020 Census), is Montana’s least populous county. As of 2022, about 330 were registered voters. Elections cover federal, state, and local offices, often held at the Winnett Community Center, the main polling place. The county is overwhelmingly Republican—in the 2020 Presidential election, over 90% voted for Donald Trump. Key local issues include agriculture, water rights, and infrastructure. Election administration is managed by the County Clerk & Recorder. The county's voter participation rate usually exceeds 75%, with the Republican party dominating local offices.

As of the 2020 Census, Petroleum County, Montana, has a population of 496, making it the least populous county in the state. The median age is about 55 years, reflecting an older demographic; nearly 31% are 65 or older. The population is 54% male and 46% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (over 94%), with small proportions identifying as Native American (2%), two or more races (3%), and Hispanic or Latino (1.2%).