Glacier County, Montana

County Distress Index: Serious · 66.2 | 13,609 people · 1st most distressed in Montana
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Glacier County, MT shows significant household financial distress with a score of 66.2 — 594th 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 1st of 56 counties. It scores higher 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. Glacier County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 86.4 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 86.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 78
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 93
Structural Poverty 78.7
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 91
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Consumer Credit Distress 78.4
Debt in Collections 80
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 89
Housing Cost Burden 44.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 85
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Glacier County
Glacier County, MT 66.2 Serious —
Flathead County, MT 38.3 Normal -27.9
Toole County, MT 34.9 Healthy -31.3
Pondera County, MT 33.5 Healthy -32.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Glacier County
Choctaw County, AL 66.2 Serious +0.0
Randolph County, AL 66.1 Serious -0.1
Tattnall County, GA 66.2 Serious +0.1
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious +0.1
Alcorn County, MS 66.3 Serious +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Glacier County

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 Glacier 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 Glacier County, Montana?

    Glacier County has a County Distress Index score of 66.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 594th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 1st in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Glacier County?

    The primary driver of distress in Glacier County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 86.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Glacier County compare to neighboring counties?

    Glacier County (66.2) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Flathead County, MT (38.3); Toole County, MT (34.9); Pondera County, MT (33.5).

  • 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 Serious 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). Glacier County's score of 66.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Glacier 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 Glacier County?

    Glacier County, Montana has a population of approximately 13,609 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.