Rosebud County, Montana

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.9 | 8,160 people · 4th most distressed in Montana
American Default Research

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Rosebud County, MT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.9 — 1341st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Montana, it ranks 4th of 56 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rosebud County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 67.2 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 67.2
Debt in Collections 71
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 87
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 51
Structural Poverty 58.9
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 87
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Economic Vitality 43.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Housing Cost Burden 38.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 81
Legal Distress 21.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rosebud County
Rosebud County, MT 53.9 Elevated —
Big Horn County, MT 60.3 Elevated +6.4
Musselshell County, MT 51.2 Elevated -2.7
Custer County, MT 49.9 Normal -4.1
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal -7.3
Garfield County, MT 32.5 Healthy -21.4
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy -22.9
Treasure County, MT 29.9 Healthy -24.1
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy -32.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rosebud County
Castro County, TX 53.8 Elevated -0.1
West Carroll Parish, LA 53.7 Elevated -0.2
Crittenden County, KY 54.2 Elevated +0.2
Stonewall County, TX 54.2 Elevated +0.2
Quay County, NM 53.6 Elevated -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rosebud County

Find an Attorney

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 Rosebud 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 Rosebud County, Montana?

    Rosebud County has a County Distress Index score of 53.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,341st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rosebud County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rosebud County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 67.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Rosebud County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rosebud County (53.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Big Horn County, MT (60.3); Musselshell County, MT (51.2); 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 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). Rosebud County's score of 53.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Rosebud 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 Rosebud County?

    Rosebud County, Montana has a population of approximately 8,160 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.