Gallatin County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.3 | 126,409 people · 23rd most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Gallatin County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.3 — 2405th 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 23rd of 56 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gallatin County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 83.8 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 83.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 83
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 92
Homeownership Rate 91
Economic Vitality 77.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Legal Distress 20.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 17.5
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 12
Structural Poverty 5.6
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gallatin County
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal —
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal +0.6
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal -0.5
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy -3.1
Madison County, MT 28.5 Healthy -7.9
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy -9.4
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy -9.6
Teton County, WY 25.3 Healthy -11.0
Jefferson County, MT 16.5 Healthy -19.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gallatin County
Queen Anne's County, MD 36.4 Normal +0.0
Midland County, MI 36.3 Normal -0.1
La Plata County, CO 36.4 Normal +0.1
Merrimack County, NH 36.2 Normal -0.1
Washington County, PA 36.2 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gallatin County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Gallatin County.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF DISTRICT IX, INC.
Bozeman
406-585-4895
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Montana →

Find an Attorney

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 Gallatin County residents at no cost.

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) 1-800-666-6899

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Montana →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Gallatin County, Montana?

    Gallatin County has a County Distress Index score of 36.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,405th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gallatin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gallatin County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 83.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Gallatin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gallatin County (36.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Broadwater County, MT (36.9); Park County, MT (35.9); Fremont County, ID (33.3).

  • 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). Gallatin County's score of 36.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gallatin 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 Gallatin County?

    Gallatin County, Montana has a population of approximately 126,409 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.