Park County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 17,903 people · 26th most distressed in Montana
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Park County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2427th 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 26th of 56 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Park County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 77.3 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 77.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 81
Housing Cost Burden 63.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 72
Structural Poverty 29.2
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 20.8
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 9.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Park County
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal —
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal +0.5
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy -5.9
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy -9.0
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy -9.1
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy -13.7
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy -18.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Park County
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal -0.0
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal -0.1
Ottawa County, OH 35.8 Normal -0.1
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal -0.2
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

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State Bar of Montana Lawyer Referral Service 406-442-7660

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Legal aid organizations serving Park 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 Park County, Montana?

    Park County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,427th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Park County?

    The primary driver of distress in Park County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 77.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Park County compare to neighboring counties?

    Park County (35.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Gallatin County, MT (36.3); Carbon County, MT (30.0); Park County, WY (26.9).

  • 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). Park County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Park 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 Park County?

    Park County, Montana has a population of approximately 17,903 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.