Lake County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.4 | 33,338 people · 18th most distressed in Montana
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Lake County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.4 — 2226th 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 18th of 56 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lake County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 91
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 53
Structural Poverty 52.6
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 53
Income vs. State Median 44
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Housing Cost Burden 51.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 27.0
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 85
Subprime Credit Population 28
Legal Distress 17.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Lake County, MT 39.4 Normal —
Sanders County, MT 50.1 Elevated +10.7
Missoula County, MT 40.5 Normal +1.1
Flathead County, MT 38.3 Normal -1.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal 0.0
Clinton County, MO 39.4 Normal 0.0
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal -0.0
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal -0.0
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, Montana?

    Lake County has a County Distress Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,226th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lake County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lake County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Lake County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lake County (39.4) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Sanders County, MT (50.1); Missoula County, MT (40.5); Flathead County, MT (38.3).

  • 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). Lake County's score of 39.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lake 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 Lake County?

    Lake County, Montana has a population of approximately 33,338 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.