The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 59820 sells for about $550,000, or $315 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 88 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,114 a month.
ZIP 59820 — Alberton
The housing market in 59820 remains tight with low inventory and steady price appreciation, reflecting broader trends in Western Montana. While demand remains consistent, the limited supply of homes is the primary driver of current price levels. Buyers are increasingly looking toward rural areas, though affordability remains a concern for local residents.
This ZIP is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers, and families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with proximity to Missoula's amenities.
Median prices moved up 2.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 88 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.6% · poverty 11.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 10.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 59820, Mineral County MT
Crime rates in the Alberton area remain low and are generally considered safer than the national average, consistent with rural Mineral County trends.
Schools serving the area are part of the Alberton K-12 district, which provides a small-town educational environment with limited extracurricular offerings compared to larger urban districts.
The region faces moderate wildfire risks common to Western Montana, necessitating proactive defensible space management and careful consideration of property insurance availability.
Economic growth is modest and primarily driven by local services and proximity to the I-90 corridor, with limited large-scale industrial or commercial development currently underway.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level by Mineral County, with rates determined by local mill levies that fund schools, county services, and emergency districts.
Residents primarily rely on I-90 for commuting, with most employment opportunities located in Missoula, approximately 30 miles to the east.
The area offers immediate access to the Clark Fork River for fishing and boating, as well as extensive hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding Lolo National Forest.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand from local workers, with limited multi-family housing options available.
The local economy is largely service-based, with many residents commuting to Missoula for professional employment in healthcare, education, and government sectors.
Transportation is heavily dependent on private vehicles, with I-90 serving as the sole major transit corridor connecting the area to regional hubs.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction within the ZIP code.
Mineral County utilizes a mass appraisal system for property tax assessments, with values updated periodically based on market sales data.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-wide levies for emergency services and road maintenance.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to increased wildfire risk assessments across Western Montana, impacting overall housing affordability.
Montana continues to experience net positive domestic migration, driven by individuals relocating from higher-cost coastal states.
Montana is primarily a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for a streamlined process under the Small Tract Financing Act.
Sellers are required to provide a property disclosure statement, though the state maintains a 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) tradition for many aspects of real estate transactions.
Data retrieved from census.gov ZCTA-level tables and World Population Review 2026 estimates.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Montana River Guides53.6 mi
- Adventure Missoula54.1 mi
- Missoula Montana Airport4.423.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides primary access for fishing, rafting, and scenic recreation.
Extensive wilderness area surrounding the town for hiking and hunting.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.