Carbon County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.0 | 11,419 people · 42nd most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Carbon County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.0 — 2755th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Montana, it ranks 42nd of 56 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carbon County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 70.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 70.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 93
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 85
Housing Cost Burden 44.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 36
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 52
Structural Poverty 29.9
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Consumer Credit Distress 19.4
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 13
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carbon County
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy —
Big Horn County, MT 60.3 Elevated +30.3
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal +16.6
Big Horn County, WY 41.1 Normal +11.1
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal +5.9
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy -3.1
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy -12.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carbon County
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy +0.0
Floyd County, VA 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Koochiching County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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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 Carbon 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 Carbon County, Montana?

    Carbon County has a County Distress Index score of 30.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,755th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carbon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carbon County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 70.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Carbon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carbon County (30.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Big Horn County, MT (60.3); Yellowstone County, MT (46.7); Big Horn County, WY (41.1).

  • 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). Carbon County's score of 30.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carbon 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 Carbon County?

    Carbon County, Montana has a population of approximately 11,419 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.