Golden Valley County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.3 | 835 people · 24th most distressed in Montana
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Golden Valley County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.3 — 2406th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Montana, it ranks 24th of 56 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Golden Valley County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 75.5 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 75.5
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 83
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Economic Vitality 74.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Legal Distress 46.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 47
Consumer Credit Distress 26.1
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 13
Housing Cost Burden 15.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Golden Valley County
Golden Valley County, MT 36.3 Normal —
Musselshell County, MT 51.2 Elevated +14.9
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal +10.3
Wheatland County, MT 36.5 Normal +0.2
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy -5.3
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy -14.2
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy -19.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Golden Valley County
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal +0.0
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK 36.2 Normal -0.1
Wahkiakum County, WA 36.4 Normal +0.1
Bland County, VA 36.2 Normal -0.1
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Golden Valley County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County, Montana?

    Golden Valley County has a County Distress Index score of 36.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,406th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Golden Valley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Golden Valley County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 75.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Golden Valley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Golden Valley County (36.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Musselshell County, MT (51.2); Yellowstone County, MT (46.7); 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 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). Golden Valley County's score of 36.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Golden Valley County's CDI score?

    Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County?

    Golden Valley County, Montana has a population of approximately 835 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.