Fallon County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.4 | 2,994 people · 48th most distressed in Montana
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Fallon County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.4 — 2872nd 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 48th of 56 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fallon County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 66.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 66.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 81
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 53
Legal Distress 36.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Consumer Credit Distress 25.1
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 71
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 53
Subprime Credit Population 11
Housing Cost Burden 18.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 71
Structural Poverty 18.4
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 25
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fallon County
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy —
Custer County, MT 49.9 Normal +22.5
Prairie County, MT 33.6 Healthy +6.2
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy +5.7
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +3.9
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -0.7
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy -5.3
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy -9.1
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy -11.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fallon County
Meade County, KS 27.3 Healthy -0.1
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy +0.1
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy -0.1
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy -0.2
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fallon 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 Fallon 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 Fallon County, Montana?

    Fallon County has a County Distress Index score of 27.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,872nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fallon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fallon County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 66.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Fallon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fallon County (27.4) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Custer County, MT (49.9); Prairie County, MT (33.6); Wibaux County, MT (33.1).

  • 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). Fallon County's score of 27.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Fallon 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 Fallon County?

    Fallon County, Montana has a population of approximately 2,994 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.