Daniels County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.9 | 1,633 people · 54th most distressed in Montana
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Daniels County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.9 — 3053rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Montana, it ranks 54th of 56 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Daniels County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 47.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 47.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 55
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Structural Poverty 38.6
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Legal Distress 21.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 15.6
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 10.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Daniels County
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy —
Roosevelt County, MT 59.1 Elevated +38.1
Sheridan County, MT 42.5 Normal +21.6
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal +15.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Daniels County
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy +0.0
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy -0.1
Johnson County, WY 21.1 Healthy +0.1
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy -0.2
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Daniels 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 Daniels 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 Daniels County, Montana?

    Daniels County has a County Distress Index score of 20.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,053rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Daniels County?

    The primary driver of distress in Daniels County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 47.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Daniels County compare to neighboring counties?

    Daniels County (20.9) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Roosevelt County, MT (59.1); Sheridan County, MT (42.5); Valley County, MT (35.9).

  • 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). Daniels County's score of 20.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Daniels 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 Daniels County?

    Daniels County, Montana has a population of approximately 1,633 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.