Valley County, Montana

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 7,474 people · 25th most distressed in Montana
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Valley County, MT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2423rd 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 25th of 56 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Valley County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 70.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 70.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 48.1
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 64
Income vs. State Median 34
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Housing Cost Burden 41.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 31
Consumer Credit Distress 27.9
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 28
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Valley County
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal —
Roosevelt County, MT 59.1 Elevated +23.2
Garfield County, MT 32.5 Healthy -3.4
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy -8.0
McCone County, MT 26.7 Healthy -9.2
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy -15.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Valley County
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal 0.0
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal -0.0
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal +0.0
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal -0.1
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Valley 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 Valley 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 Valley County, Montana?

    Valley County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,423rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Valley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Valley County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 70.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Valley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Valley County (35.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Roosevelt County, MT (59.1); Garfield County, MT (32.5); Phillips County, MT (27.9).

  • 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 Normal 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). Valley County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Valley 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 Valley County?

    Valley County, Montana has a population of approximately 7,474 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.