Powder River County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.5 | 1,743 people · 53rd most distressed in Montana
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Powder River County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.5 — 3040th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Montana, it ranks 53rd of 56 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Powder River County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 40.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 40.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Structural Poverty 39.5
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Legal Distress 21.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Housing Cost Burden 17.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 32
Consumer Credit Distress 14.9
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Powder River County
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy —
Big Horn County, MT 60.3 Elevated +38.8
Rosebud County, MT 53.9 Elevated +32.4
Custer County, MT 49.9 Normal +28.3
Campbell County, WY 44.3 Normal +22.8
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy +12.1
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +9.8
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy +1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Powder River County
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy +0.0
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy +0.1
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -0.2

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

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Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) 1-800-666-6899

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Powder River County, Montana?

    Powder River County has a County Distress Index score of 21.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,040th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Powder River County?

    The primary driver of distress in Powder River County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 40.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Powder River County compare to neighboring counties?

    Powder River County (21.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Big Horn County, MT (60.3); Rosebud County, MT (53.9); Custer County, MT (49.9).

  • 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 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). Powder River County's score of 21.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Powder River County's CDI score?

    Powder River 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 Powder River County?

    Powder River County, Montana has a population of approximately 1,743 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.