It’s time to update the annual county taxation article. From a secessionist point of view, with three high school districts, it’s easy to figure out which communities provide the funds that keep our county going.
Market Value Taxable Value Percentage
Libby $2,126,453,001 $18,524,862 36.3%
Troy $1,099,398,488 $ 9,565,190 18.8%
LCHS $2,630,229,684 $25,045,480 44.9%
Total $5,856,081,173 $53,135,632 100%
Data taken from Montana Certified Values
Market value has increased dramatically, taxable value has gone down. Troy’s taxable value percentage has increased by 0.4%, while both Libby and North County have slightly decreased. While the reduction in taxable value looks nice, it is an easy number for them to change.
The Census offered these population estimates from the American Community Survey in 2024 (the ACS is not an enumerated census and its accuracy suffers in small communities)
| Zip Code | Population | City |
| 59923 | 9,545 | Libby |
| 59917 | 5,001 | Eureka |
| 59935 | 3,505 | Troy |
| 59934 | 763 | Trego |
| 59930 | 697 | Rexford |
| 59918 | 625 | Fortine |
| 59933 | 21 | Stryker |
Since Eureka, Trego, Rexford, Fortine, and Stryker are all in High School District 13, the relative populations calculate:
Population Percent Population Tax Base
Libby 9,545 (47%) 36.3%
Troy 3,505 (17%) 18.8%
LCHS 7,107 (35%) 44.9%
The tax numbers are both precise and accurate – the source is listed should you want to check. I am not satisfied with the quality of the American Community Survey data, but it is the Best Available Data. It is probably coincidental that the abbreviation for best available data is BAD.
Trego's Mountain Ear 
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