Toole County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.9 | 5,133 people · 29th most distressed in Montana
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Toole County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.9 — 2485th 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 29th of 56 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Toole County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 67.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 67.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 62
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 36
House Price Change (YoY) 85
Structural Poverty 48.9
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Consumer Credit Distress 34.3
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 77
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 54
Housing Cost Burden 23.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 85
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Toole County
Toole County, MT 34.9 Healthy —
Glacier County, MT 66.2 Serious +31.3
Pondera County, MT 33.5 Healthy -1.3
Liberty County, MT 29.6 Healthy -5.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Toole County
Columbia County, WA 34.9 Healthy +0.0
Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK 35.0 Healthy +0.1
Hartley County, TX 35.1 Normal +0.2
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal +0.3
Mathews County, VA 35.2 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Toole 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 Toole 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 Toole County, Montana?

    Toole County has a County Distress Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,485th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Toole County?

    The primary driver of distress in Toole County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 67.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Toole County compare to neighboring counties?

    Toole County (34.9) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Glacier County, MT (66.2); Pondera County, MT (33.5); Liberty County, MT (29.6).

  • 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). Toole County's score of 34.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Toole 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 Toole County?

    Toole County, Montana has a population of approximately 5,133 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.