1st Advantage MortgageThe median Fallon County household earns $76,250, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Who lives in Fallon County
- What it costs to live in Fallon County
- How much Fallon County households make
- How Fallon County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Fallon County
- Regional comparison for Fallon County
- Room for a loan payment in Fallon County
- Reading the Fallon County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Fallon County, in numbers
- Montana rules that apply in Fallon County
- Four steps for Fallon County borrowers
- More guides for Fallon County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Fallon County
With an estimated 2,760 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Fallon County ranks 42nd of 56 in Montana for population. Spread over 1,621 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.7 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Fallon County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 2 Census places inside Fallon County, Baker leads by population with about 1,489; 2 of the 2 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Fallon County figure on this page as a rough guide.
What it costs to live in Fallon County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $779 in Fallon County versus $1,081 statewide. 9% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 1% spend half or more. Home values center on $244,800, or 3.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 69% of homes. The median year built is 1982.
| Fallon County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $779/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $244,800 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 9% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 13% | n/a |
How much Fallon County households make
At $76,250, the typical Fallon County household income is 16% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 8th of 56.
| Income band | Share in Fallon County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.7% | -0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.6% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.1% | +3.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 38% of Fallon County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.4%, the same as the state's 11.5%. A household earning below the $76,250 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Fallon County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Fallon County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 38% of workers, followed by education and health care (13%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 38% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.0% in Fallon County. About 82% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Fallon County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 37.6% | +31.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 12.8% | -10.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | -0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 7.9% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.2% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.9% | -4.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Fallon County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Fallon County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 1,698 people, so roughly 38% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Fallon County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | city | 1,489 | $84,750 | $776 | 7 mi |
| Plevna | town | 209 | $103,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
Regional comparison for Fallon County
Six nearby counties, 45 to 56 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. None of the six report a higher median household income than Fallon County; Bowman County is highest at $72,109 and Carter County lowest at $54,167. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Fallon County resident follows Montana rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fallon County | - | $76,250 | $779/mo | 69% |
| Wibaux County, MT | 45 mi | $67,462 | $963/mo | 72% |
| Bowman County, ND | 45 mi | $72,109 | $765/mo | 83% |
| Slope County, ND | 46 mi | $71,250 | $525/mo | 81% |
| Golden Valley County, ND | 50 mi | $68,021 | $638/mo | 80% |
| Custer County, MT | 55 mi | $70,605 | $893/mo | 70% |
| Carter County, MT | 56 mi | $54,167 | $824/mo | 62% |
Room for a loan payment in Fallon County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Fallon County's medians:
- $6,354 a month: gross income for a household at the Fallon County median
- Rent at the median, $779, takes 12% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $2,542 total minus rent leaves $1,763
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Fallon County data as a borrower
What the Fallon County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Manufactured homes. 21% of Fallon County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Who lives in Fallon County, in numbers
16% of Fallon County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Fallon County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.2% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 0.4% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.1% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.0% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 67.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 14.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.9% |
Montana rules that apply in Fallon County
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Montana license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Montana state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Fallon County borrowers
A short checklist for Fallon County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Montana.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Fallon County
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Fallon County household make?
About $76,250 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 5% above the Montana median.
What do renters pay in Fallon County?
$779 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
I live in a small Fallon County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Baker, Plevna.
Is the fit check different in Fallon County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Fallon County check a lender's license?
With the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.