Musselshell County, Montana

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.2 | 5,308 people · 6th most distressed in Montana
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Musselshell County, MT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.2 — 1510th 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 6th of 56 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Musselshell County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 75.0 — worse than roughly 75% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 75.0
Unemployment Rate 88
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 74
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Consumer Credit Distress 62.1
Debt in Collections 46
Medical Debt 84
Auto Loan Delinquency 94
Credit Card Delinquency 63
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 38
Economic Vitality 57.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 93
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Legal Distress 33.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Housing Cost Burden 16.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Musselshell County
Musselshell County, MT 51.2 Elevated —
Rosebud County, MT 53.9 Elevated +2.7
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal -4.5
Golden Valley County, MT 36.3 Normal -14.9
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy -20.1
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy -20.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Musselshell County
Lynn County, TX 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Dallam County, TX 51.3 Elevated +0.1
Jackson County, SD 51.3 Elevated +0.1
Benton County, IN 51.3 Elevated +0.2
Linn County, KS 50.9 Elevated -0.3

Download Data

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

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Musselshell 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 Musselshell County, Montana?

    Musselshell County has a County Distress Index score of 51.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,510th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Musselshell County?

    The primary driver of distress in Musselshell County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 75.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Musselshell County compare to neighboring counties?

    Musselshell County (51.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Rosebud County, MT (53.9); Yellowstone County, MT (46.7); Golden Valley County, MT (36.3).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Musselshell County's score of 51.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Musselshell 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 Musselshell County?

    Musselshell County, Montana has a population of approximately 5,308 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.