Broadwater County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.9 | 8,032 people · 21st most distressed in Montana
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Broadwater County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.9 — 2373rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Montana, it ranks 21st of 56 counties. It scores higher than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Broadwater County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 80.5 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 80.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 92
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 10
Economic Vitality 78.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 93
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 89
Structural Poverty 21.0
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 22
Consumer Credit Distress 16.2
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 8
Legal Distress 15.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Broadwater County
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal —
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal -0.6
Lewis and Clark County, MT 34.4 Healthy -2.5
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy -10.1
Jefferson County, MT 16.5 Healthy -20.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Broadwater County
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal +0.0
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +0.0
Stevens County, KS 36.9 Normal +0.1
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +0.1
Worth County, MO 36.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Broadwater 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 Broadwater 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 Broadwater County, Montana?

    Broadwater County has a County Distress Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,373rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Broadwater County?

    The primary driver of distress in Broadwater County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 80.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Broadwater County compare to neighboring counties?

    Broadwater County (36.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Gallatin County, MT (36.3); Lewis and Clark County, MT (34.4); Meagher County, MT (26.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Broadwater County's score of 36.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Broadwater 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 Broadwater County?

    Broadwater County, Montana has a population of approximately 8,032 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.