Phillips County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.9 | 4,249 people · 47th most distressed in Montana
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Phillips County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.9 — 2855th 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 47th of 56 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Phillips County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.2
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 72
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 51.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Housing Cost Burden 23.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 48
Consumer Credit Distress 17.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 16
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy —
Blaine County, MT 45.1 Normal +17.2
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal +8.0
Garfield County, MT 32.5 Healthy +4.6
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy +3.1
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy +3.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy 0.0
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy +0.0
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy +0.0
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy +0.0
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Phillips 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 Phillips 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 Phillips County, Montana?

    Phillips County has a County Distress Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,855th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Phillips County?

    The primary driver of distress in Phillips County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Phillips County compare to neighboring counties?

    Phillips County (27.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Blaine County, MT (45.1); Valley County, MT (35.9); Garfield County, MT (32.5).

  • 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). Phillips County's score of 27.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Phillips 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 Phillips County?

    Phillips County, Montana has a population of approximately 4,249 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.