1st Advantage MortgageChouteau County households have a median income of $58,218 and median rent of $536 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Montana license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Chouteau County
- What it costs to live in Chouteau County
- Income in Chouteau County compared with Montana
- Employment and commuting in Chouteau County
- Towns and communities in Chouteau County
- Regional comparison for Chouteau County
- Chouteau County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Chouteau County borrowers
- What a median Chouteau County budget can carry
- Montana rules that apply in Chouteau County
- Four steps for Chouteau County borrowers
- More guides for Chouteau County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Chouteau County
Roughly 5,906 residents live in Chouteau County, Montana, 34th by population among the state's 56 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 3,973 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Chouteau County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (3 incorporated, 8 census-designated); the largest is Fort Benton, with about 1,474 residents, or 25% of the county. With so few households sampled, Chouteau County estimates can move a lot between releases.
What it costs to live in Chouteau County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $536 in Chouteau County versus $1,081 statewide. By the Census definition, 33% of Chouteau County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $207,800, about 3.6 times the median household income. 68% of Chouteau County households own their home and 32% rent. The median home was built in 1968, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Chouteau County | Montana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $536/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $207,800 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.9% | 9.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 25% | 13% | n/a |
Income in Chouteau County compared with Montana
The median household income in Chouteau County is $58,218; statewide it is $72,509, so Chouteau County runs 20% below Montana as a whole. Only 40 Montana counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Chouteau County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.6% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.1% | +9.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -4.5 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 11.2% of Chouteau County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.432 here. None of these numbers decides a Chouteau County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Chouteau County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.2% in Chouteau County. Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Chouteau County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 29.1% | +23.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 12.2% | +6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.8% | -4.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Chouteau County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Chouteau County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 3,284 people, so roughly 44% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Benton | city | 1,474 | $67,188 | $736 | 11 mi |
| Big Sandy | town | 784 | $60,521 | $550 | 25 mi |
| Geraldine | town | 317 | $43,036 | $569 | 21 mi |
| Boneau | CDP | 277 | $43,056 | $364 | 38 mi |
| Highwood | CDP | 205 | $85,500 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Loma | CDP | 73 | $51,227 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Carter | CDP | 60 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
| Twin Hills Colony | CDP | 48 | n/a | n/a | 31 mi |
| Square Butte | CDP | 28 | $48,500 | n/a | 28 mi |
| Floweree | CDP | 18 | $123,125 | n/a | 30 mi |
| Sunnybrook Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Regional comparison for Chouteau County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Chouteau County's, from 54 to 77 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Chouteau County; Cascade County is highest at $67,690 and Hill County lowest at $52,798.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chouteau County | - | $58,218 | $536/mo | 68% |
| Hill County, MT | 54 mi | $52,798 | $776/mo | 66% |
| Liberty County, MT | 54 mi | $57,857 | $710/mo | 63% |
| Cascade County, MT | 58 mi | $67,690 | $939/mo | 69% |
| Judith Basin County, MT | 59 mi | $59,000 | $495/mo | 73% |
| Fergus County, MT | 73 mi | $63,706 | $954/mo | 63% |
| Blaine County, MT | 77 mi | $64,813 | $660/mo | 66% |
Chouteau County residents: age, schooling, coverage
23% of Chouteau County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Chouteau County | All of Montana | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.0% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.5% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Chouteau County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Chouteau County borrowers
What the Chouteau County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
What a median Chouteau County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Chouteau County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Chouteau County: $4,852
- 11% goes to median rent ($536)
- $1,405: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Montana rules that apply in Chouteau County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Chouteau County borrowers answers to the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Chouteau County borrowers
Steps that save money for Chouteau County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Chouteau County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Chouteau County
For statewide rules and data, see the Montana guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Chouteau County?
$58,218 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,509 for Montana. It ranks 41st of 56 in the state.
Is Chouteau County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $536 against $1,081 statewide, and 33% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Chouteau County?
By population: Fort Benton, Big Sandy, Geraldine, Boneau, Highwood. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Chouteau County or elsewhere in Montana, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Chouteau County?
Start with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.