Fergus County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 11,772 people · 41st most distressed in Montana
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Fergus County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2699th 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 41st of 56 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fergus County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 78.9 — worse than roughly 79% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 78.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 89
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Housing Cost Burden 38.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 82
Structural Poverty 38.6
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 34
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 35
Consumer Credit Distress 18.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 7
Legal Distress 14.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fergus County
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy —
Musselshell County, MT 51.2 Elevated +20.2
Blaine County, MT 45.1 Normal +14.1
Wheatland County, MT 36.5 Normal +5.5
Golden Valley County, MT 36.3 Normal +5.3
Chouteau County, MT 33.7 Healthy +2.7
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy +0.1
Judith Basin County, MT 29.7 Healthy -1.3
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy -3.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fergus County
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy 0.0
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy +0.0
Shelby County, IA 31.0 Healthy -0.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy +0.0
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fergus 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 Fergus 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 Fergus County, Montana?

    Fergus County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,699th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fergus County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fergus County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 78.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Fergus County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fergus County (31.0) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Musselshell County, MT (51.2); Blaine County, MT (45.1); Wheatland County, MT (36.5).

  • 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). Fergus County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Fergus 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 Fergus County?

    Fergus County, Montana has a population of approximately 11,772 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.