Meagher County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.7 | 2,071 people · 49th most distressed in Montana
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Meagher County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.7 — 2902nd 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 49th of 56 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Meagher County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 72.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 72.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 15
Structural Poverty 58.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 52
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Legal Distress 21.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 16.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 12
Housing Cost Burden 12.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Meagher County
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy —
Cascade County, MT 44.7 Normal +18.0
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal +10.1
Wheatland County, MT 36.5 Normal +9.7
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal +9.6
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal +9.1
Lewis and Clark County, MT 34.4 Healthy +7.7
Judith Basin County, MT 29.7 Healthy +3.0
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy -4.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Meagher County
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -0.0
McCone County, MT 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Custer County, CO 26.7 Healthy -0.1
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Meagher 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 Meagher 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 Meagher County, Montana?

    Meagher County has a County Distress Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,902nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Meagher County?

    The primary driver of distress in Meagher County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 72.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Meagher County compare to neighboring counties?

    Meagher County (26.7) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Cascade County, MT (44.7); Broadwater County, MT (36.9); 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 Healthy 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). Meagher County's score of 26.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Meagher 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 Meagher County?

    Meagher County, Montana has a population of approximately 2,071 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.