Carter County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.3 | 1,418 people · 39th most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Carter County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.3 — 2684th 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 39th of 56 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carter County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 74.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 74.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 16
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Structural Poverty 47.2
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 66
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 50
Housing Cost Burden 23.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 91
Consumer Credit Distress 23.6
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 13
Legal Distress 21.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carter County
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy —
Custer County, MT 49.9 Normal +18.5
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal +8.9
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy -3.9
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy -8.6
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy -9.8
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy -13.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carter County
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy -0.1
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy -0.1
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Carter 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 Carter 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 Carter County, Montana?

    Carter County has a County Distress Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,684th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carter County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carter County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 74.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Carter County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carter County (31.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Custer County, MT (49.9); Butte County, SD (40.2); Fallon County, MT (27.4).

  • 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). Carter County's score of 31.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carter 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 Carter County?

    Carter County, Montana has a population of approximately 1,418 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.