Deer Lodge County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.5 | 9,673 people · 11th most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Deer Lodge County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.5 — 1874th 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 11th of 56 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Deer Lodge County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 72
Structural Poverty 63.0
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Economic Vitality 48.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Consumer Credit Distress 34.5
Debt in Collections 49
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 27
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Deer Lodge County
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal —
Silver Bow County, MT 51.3 Elevated +5.9
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal -9.6
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy -11.5
Beaverhead County, MT 33.6 Healthy -11.8
Powell County, MT 32.9 Healthy -12.6
Jefferson County, MT 16.5 Healthy -28.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Deer Lodge County
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal -0.0
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal +0.1
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +0.2
Crane County, TX 45.7 Normal +0.3
Crockett County, TX 45.2 Normal -0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Deer Lodge County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Deer Lodge 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 Deer Lodge 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 Deer Lodge County, Montana?

    Deer Lodge County has a County Distress Index score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,874th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Deer Lodge County?

    The primary driver of distress in Deer Lodge County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Deer Lodge County compare to neighboring counties?

    Deer Lodge County (45.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Silver Bow County, MT (51.3); Granite County, MT (35.8); Ravalli County, MT (34.0).

  • 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). Deer Lodge County's score of 45.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Deer Lodge County's CDI score?

    Deer Lodge 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 Deer Lodge County?

    Deer Lodge County, Montana has a population of approximately 9,673 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.