Stillwater County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 17.4 | 9,173 people · 55th most distressed in Montana
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Stillwater County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 17.4 — 3112th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Montana, it ranks 55th 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. Stillwater County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 22.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 22.4
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 62
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Economic Vitality 20.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 20.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 16
Legal Distress 17.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Consumer Credit Distress 13.6
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stillwater County
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy —
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal +29.3
Golden Valley County, MT 36.3 Normal +19.0
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal +18.5
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy +12.7
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy +4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stillwater County
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy 0.0
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy -0.1
Burke County, ND 17.6 Healthy +0.2
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy -0.2
Spink County, SD 17.6 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater County, Montana?

    Stillwater County has a County Distress Index score of 17.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,112th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stillwater County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stillwater County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 22.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Stillwater County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stillwater County (17.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Yellowstone County, MT (46.7); Golden Valley County, MT (36.3); Park County, MT (35.9).

  • 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). Stillwater County's score of 17.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stillwater 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 Stillwater County?

    Stillwater County, Montana has a population of approximately 9,173 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.