Ravalli County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.0 | 47,738 people · 31st most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Ravalli County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.0 — 2528th 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 31st of 56 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

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

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 76
Housing Cost Burden 50.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 63
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 26
Structural Poverty 39.0
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 18
Child Poverty Rate 30
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Legal Distress 25.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 19.3
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 52
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ravalli County
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy —
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal +11.5
Missoula County, MT 40.5 Normal +6.6
Lemhi County, ID 36.6 Normal +2.7
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal +1.9
Beaverhead County, MT 33.6 Healthy -0.3
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy -0.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ravalli County
Knox County, ME 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Fulton County, OH 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Blanco County, TX 33.9 Healthy -0.1
Clarke County, VA 33.9 Healthy -0.1
Carbon County, WY 34.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ravalli 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 Ravalli 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 Ravalli County, Montana?

    Ravalli County has a County Distress Index score of 34.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,528th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ravalli County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ravalli County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Ravalli County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ravalli County (34.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Deer Lodge County, MT (45.5); Missoula County, MT (40.5); Lemhi County, ID (36.6).

  • 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). Ravalli County's score of 34.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ravalli 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 Ravalli County?

    Ravalli County, Montana has a population of approximately 47,738 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.