Beaverhead County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.6 | 9,885 people · 33rd most distressed in Montana
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Beaverhead County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.6 — 2552nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Montana, it ranks 33rd of 56 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Beaverhead County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 64.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 64.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 90
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 79
Economic Vitality 43.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 62
Rent-to-Income Ratio 43
Business Formation Rate 10
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Structural Poverty 40.9
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 73
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 19.3
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 12
Legal Distress 6.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Beaverhead County
Beaverhead County, MT 33.6 Healthy —
Silver Bow County, MT 51.3 Elevated +17.7
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal +11.8
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +3.0
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy +0.4
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy +0.3
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy -0.4
Madison County, MT 28.5 Healthy -5.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Beaverhead County
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Prairie County, MT 33.6 Healthy -0.0
Adair County, IA 33.6 Healthy -0.1
Edwards County, KS 33.7 Healthy +0.1
Chouteau County, MT 33.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Beaverhead County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Beaverhead County

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State Bar of Montana Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Montana Lawyer Referral Service 406-442-7660

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Beaverhead County residents at no cost.

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) 1-800-666-6899

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Beaverhead County, Montana?

    Beaverhead County has a County Distress Index score of 33.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,552nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Beaverhead County?

    The primary driver of distress in Beaverhead County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 64.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Beaverhead County compare to neighboring counties?

    Beaverhead County (33.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Silver Bow County, MT (51.3); Deer Lodge County, MT (45.5); Lemhi County, ID (36.6).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Beaverhead County's score of 33.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Beaverhead County's CDI score?

    Beaverhead County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Beaverhead County?

    Beaverhead County, Montana has a population of approximately 9,885 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.