Petroleum
7.1
High score (8-10)
Petroleum County has some of the emptiest, least-visited landscape in the continental US, and the few people who come here specifically are doing so with intention — they're hunters, landscape photographers, or people who want to experience genuine isolation. That self-selection makes the encounters you do have more interesting than random.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Winnett (pop. ~180) is the county seat of Petroleum County, which is consistently listed as one of the five least-populated counties in the entire United States with around 450 people total. The county is named for the oil that was briefly produced here in the early 20th century, and the landscape — sage flats, coulees, badlands along the Musselshell River — is genuinely striking in an austere way. There is no social infrastructure whatsoever. The county exists and people live in it, but it operates outside the frame of anything a traveler would recognize as a social scene.
Lower score (below 6)
Petroleum County has approximately 450 people in 1,600 square miles and no town larger than 200. There is no bar, no restaurant, no hotel. Winnett has a gas station and a community hall. If you are not from here and do not have family or work connections here, there is no reason to be here and nothing to do if you arrive. The nearest anything is Lewistown (45 miles) and that itself is a small city of 5,500. This is the hardest no in Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Petroleum, Montana?
$42k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Petroleum, Montana?
Women marry at 27
How common is a college degree in Petroleum, Montana?
21% men have degree
What's the average male height in Petroleum, Montana?
178 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Petroleum, Montana?
Local women avg 29.3