Lake County, MT Property Records
Property records in Lake, Montana document key details about real estate within Lake County, including ownership information, legal descriptions, parcel boundaries, assessed values, tax history, deeds, plats, mortgages, liens, and transfer records. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, title companies, attorneys, and researchers who need to verify ownership, review property taxes, confirm boundaries, or investigate a property’s transaction history.
Official Lake property records are maintained by Lake County government offices, including the Clerk and Recorder for recorded documents and the county assessment/tax offices for parcel and tax information. Users can also begin research through the official Montana state mapping system using the Montana Cadastral property records search, which provides access to parcel-level property information across the state, including Lake County. For certified copies or legally recorded documents, contact the appropriate Lake County office directly.
Lake County, MT Property Records & Statistics
Lake County combines high home values with a larger rental market than the state or nation. The median rent is $834, higher than Montana's $736.75 and just under the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 29.79% of occupied homes, well above the state's 24.36% and the national 21.81%.
The median home value is $320,800, far above the state median of $213,400 and the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate of 0.67% is close to the state's 0.68% and lower than the national 0.74%, so the tax rate is modest even though home values are high.
Incomes and employment are weaker than average. The median household income is $57,292, below the state figure of $59,344 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 3.65% is higher than both Montana's 2.16% and the national 2.87%.
The overall picture is of a costly housing market for buyers, with home prices well above typical levels and incomes that lag behind them. Rents are close to the national figure, and a sizeable share of residents rent, which together with higher unemployment suggests affordability pressure for many local households.
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Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
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Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Lake
Lake County property records span tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 25,293 total parcels, including 15,112 residential and 900 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 83.38% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 35,491 deeds and 20,995 mortgages, with valuation data for 3,303 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 25,293 |
| Residential Parcels | 15,112 |
| Commercial Parcels | 900 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 83.38% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 35,491 |
| Mortgage Records | 20,995 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 3,303 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 87 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage moved from one lender or loan holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was paid off and the lien removed from the property.
Lake County has 31,919 assignment and release records, made up of 2,941 assignment documents and 28,915 release documents, plus 63 other documents. Both assignments and releases were recorded from January 3, 2005, through August 29, 2025.
These records let buyers, owners, and researchers confirm that earlier loans were released, follow a mortgage through its transfers, and identify liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The long date range makes it possible to review a property's loan history over many years. The Lake County Clerk & Recorder e-recording services page explains how documents are submitted for recording.
How to Search Lake County, MT Property Records
Lake County property records are kept by the Lake County Clerk & Recorder, which records deeds, mortgages, and related real estate documents. Combined with assessment data, they cover 25,293 parcels, including ownership, assessed values, and recorded transactions.
The Lake County Clerk & Recorder page is the place to start for recording information and office contacts. The office is at 106 4th Avenue E, Polson, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 406-883-7208 for help with a search. The Lake County e-recording services page covers electronic submission of documents.
To look up a parcel's owner, assessed value, and map location, use the Montana Cadastral parcel viewer, searching by address, owner name, or parcel number. The Montana Department of Revenue property assessment pages explain valuation and taxes.
Start with the address or owner name, confirm the parcel in the viewer, and then ask the Clerk & Recorder for deeds or mortgages connected to it.
Lake Registrar of Deeds
The Lake County Probate Office is located at 106 4th Avenue E, Polson, MT, 59860 and can be reached at 406-883-7208. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website lakemt.gov.
Lake County Clerk & Recorder
Lake County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Lake County property records by address?
Search the street address in the Montana Cadastral parcel viewer to find the parcel, owner, and assessment details. For recorded documents, contact the Lake County Clerk & Recorder at 406-883-7208 or visit 106 4th Avenue E in Polson, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How can I find property owners in Lake County?
Owner names appear in the Montana Cadastral parcel viewer, which can be searched by address, owner name, or parcel number. To confirm who holds title, ask the Lake County Clerk & Recorder for the recorded deed that transferred the property.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Lake County?
Assessed values are shown in the parcel details of the Montana Cadastral parcel viewer, and the county's records reflect the 2024 assessment year. For information on how values are set or how to request a review, see the Montana Department of Revenue property assessment pages.
Where can I find Lake County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills are issued and collected by the county treasurer. Contact the Lake County offices in Polson with the parcel number or owner name to ask about a bill or payment history. The Montana Department of Revenue explains how assessed values produce tax bills.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Lake County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are held by the Lake County Clerk & Recorder at 106 4th Avenue E, Polson, MT 59860. Call 406-883-7208 or visit on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Professionals who submit documents electronically can use the county's e-recording services.
Where can I access Lake County parcel maps and GIS information?
The Montana Cadastral parcel viewer displays parcel boundaries, ownership, and property information for Lake County's 25,293 parcels. It is helpful for locating a parcel and reviewing its surroundings, but it is a reference tool and not a legal survey.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Lake County?
Permit and zoning rules depend on whether a property lies inside a city or town or in unincorporated Lake County. Check with the relevant local office before building, and call the Lake County Clerk & Recorder at 406-883-7208 if you need help finding the right department.
How can I create a list of property owners in Lake County?
Owner information is available parcel by parcel through the Montana Cadastral parcel viewer, and recorded transfers can be requested from the Lake County Clerk & Recorder. For a larger list or bulk data, call 406-883-7208 to ask what can be provided and whether fees apply.