Granite County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.8 | 3,595 people · 27th most distressed in Montana
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Granite County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.8 — 2430th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Montana, it ranks 27th of 56 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Granite County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 51.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 51.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 74
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 92
Structural Poverty 47.6
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 64
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Housing Cost Burden 45.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 39
Legal Distress 27.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 26.1
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Granite County
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal —
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal +9.6
Missoula County, MT 40.5 Normal +4.7
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy -1.9
Powell County, MT 32.9 Healthy -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Granite County
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal +0.0
Pawnee County, NE 35.8 Normal -0.0
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal +0.1
Warren County, IN 35.8 Normal -0.1
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Granite 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 Granite 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 Granite County, Montana?

    Granite County has a County Distress Index score of 35.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,430th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Granite County?

    The primary driver of distress in Granite County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 51.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Granite County compare to neighboring counties?

    Granite County (35.8) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Deer Lodge County, MT (45.5); Missoula County, MT (40.5); Ravalli County, MT (34.0).

  • 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). Granite County's score of 35.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Granite 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 Granite County?

    Granite County, Montana has a population of approximately 3,595 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.