1st Advantage MortgageIn Garfield County, Montana, the typical household earns $69,583 a year and the typical rent is $725. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Garfield County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Garfield County in brief
- How much Garfield County households make
- Garfield County at the extremes
- Garfield County housing compared with Montana
- The Garfield County job picture
- Towns and communities in Garfield County
- How Garfield County compares with nearby counties
- A Garfield County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Garfield County
- Who lives in Garfield County, in numbers
- Steps before you apply in Garfield County
- Lender oversight for Garfield County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Garfield County in brief
Garfield County is home to about 1,094 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 53rd most populous of 56 county-level areas in Montana. Land area is 4,677 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 0 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Garfield County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Jordan, with about 321 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county. Because Garfield County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How much Garfield County households make
Half of Garfield County households take in less than $69,583 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Montana median of $72,509.
| Household income | Garfield County | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.1% | +1.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.7% | +3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -3.9 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. Garfield County counts about 147 residents below the poverty line, 13.4% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.480 here. A household earning below the $69,583 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Garfield County at the extremes
Out of every Montana county, Garfield County is most unusual on these measures.
- Garfield County ranks the highest of 56 Montana counties for the share of workers who work from home: 43.7%, against 12.5% statewide. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Garfield County ranks 3rd highest of 56 Montana counties for the housing vacancy rate: 41%, against 13% statewide. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Population: 1,094 in Garfield County. Only 3 of 56 Montana counties are lower. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.
- Garfield County ranks 5th highest of 56 Montana counties for the share of mobile homes: 19.3%, against 9.4% statewide. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
Garfield County housing compared with Montana
A typical Garfield County rental runs $725 a month including utilities, which is 33% below Montana. About 4 in 10 Garfield County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Garfield County homes are worth $169,900 at the median, a 2.4-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 72%. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Garfield County | Montana | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 41% | 13% | +27.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 30% | +11.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | -5.9 pts |
| Median home value | $169,900 | $375,800 | 55% lower |
| Median gross rent | $725/mo | $1,081/mo | 33% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | +3.1 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Garfield County job picture
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 46% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 18%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 46% locally and 6% for Montana. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 44% work from home. No car: 1.6% of Garfield County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Garfield County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 46.4% | +40.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.4% | -4.8 pts |
| Public administration | 5.6% | -0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 4.8% | -6.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 4.0% | -6.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Garfield County
Just one Census place, Jordan, lies mainly within Garfield County; it holds about 321 people. From Jordan to the smallest crossroads, Garfield County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan | town | 321 | $55,391 | $811 | 5 mi |
How Garfield County compares with nearby counties
Petroleum County is closest, 58 miles from center to center; the sixth, Rosebud County, is 77 miles off. Valley County leads the group on income ($71,695), Rosebud County trails ($49,914), and Garfield County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | - | $69,583 | $725/mo | 72% |
| Petroleum County, MT | 58 mi | $60,208 | $800/mo | 73% |
| McCone County, MT | 63 mi | $69,375 | $556/mo | 90% |
| Treasure County, MT | 73 mi | $67,917 | $850/mo | 68% |
| Valley County, MT | 76 mi | $71,695 | $767/mo | 78% |
| Prairie County, MT | 77 mi | $51,250 | $627/mo | 84% |
| Rosebud County, MT | 77 mi | $49,914 | $672/mo | 64% |
A Garfield County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Garfield County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,799 gross per month ($69,583 / 12)
- Median rent: $725, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,594 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Garfield County's.
Borrowing situations common in Garfield County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Garfield County borrowers.
- Manufactured housing (19%). Garfield County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Garfield County borrower sees (free reports).
Who lives in Garfield County, in numbers
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 9.8% of Garfield County residents are uninsured.
| Garfield County | vs Montana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 43.7% | +31.2 pts | +35.0 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.0% | -14.2 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 1.6% | -3.1 pts | -3.8 pts |
| Median age | 43.3 | +2.9 yrs | +1.8 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | +1.9 pts | +0.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.8% | -1.6 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.8% | +1.2 pts | +2.0 pts |
Steps before you apply in Garfield County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Garfield County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Garfield County, check the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Montana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Garfield County earn?
The median is $69,583; 34% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Garfield County, MT?
$725 a month, utilities included, or $8,700 a year.
Should Garfield County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Garfield County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Jordan?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Garfield County.
Will a Garfield County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Montana as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.