Wibaux County, Montana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 910 people · 36th most distressed in Montana
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Wibaux County, MT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2582nd 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 36th 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. Wibaux County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 93.0 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 93.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Structural Poverty 54.5
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 64
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Consumer Credit Distress 25.3
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 30
Legal Distress 21.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Housing Cost Burden 15.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 47

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wibaux County
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy —
McKenzie County, ND 43.5 Normal +10.4
Dawson County, MT 37.5 Normal +4.5
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal +2.6
Prairie County, MT 33.6 Healthy +0.5
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy -5.7
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -6.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wibaux County
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Stafford County, KS 33.1 Healthy +0.1
Powell County, MT 32.9 Healthy -0.2
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Wibaux 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 Wibaux County, Montana?

    Wibaux County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,582nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Montana out of 56 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wibaux County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wibaux County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 93.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Wibaux County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wibaux County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: McKenzie County, ND (43.5); Dawson County, MT (37.5); Richland County, MT (35.6).

  • 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). Wibaux County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wibaux 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 Wibaux County?

    Wibaux County, Montana has a population of approximately 910 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.