1st Advantage MortgageAbout 81% of Golden Valley County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $58,333. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Golden Valley County
- Work, industries and travel time in Golden Valley County
- What Golden Valley County households earn
- Renting and owning in Golden Valley County
- The counties around Golden Valley County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Golden Valley County
- Debt-to-income at Golden Valley County's medians
- People and households in Golden Valley County
- Before borrowing in Golden Valley County
- Four steps for Golden Valley County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Golden Valley County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Golden Valley County
Golden Valley County is home to about 899 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 54th most populous of 56 county-level areas in Montana. Land area is 1,174 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Golden Valley County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 3 Census places inside Golden Valley County, Ryegate leads by population with about 273; 2 of the 3 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Golden Valley County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Work, industries and travel time in Golden Valley County
By the Census industry count, 43% of employed Golden Valley County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 16% in education and health care. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (43% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.5% in Golden Valley County. About 45% drive to work alone and 28% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.1% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Top industries | Golden Valley County share | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 43.1% | +37.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.4% | -6.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.0% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 3.4% | -1.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Golden Valley County households earn
The median household income in Golden Valley County is $58,333; statewide it is $72,509, so Golden Valley County runs 20% below Montana as a whole. Only 39 Montana counties post a higher median.
| Band | Golden Valley County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.7% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.7% | +9.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.1% | -11.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -3.4 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.0% of Golden Valley County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.434 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Golden Valley County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Golden Valley County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $783 in Golden Valley County versus $1,081 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 16% of renter households here. Home values center on $212,200, or 3.6 years of median income. 81% of Golden Valley County households own their home and 19% rent. Median construction year: 1974.
| Cost | Golden Valley County | Montana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $783/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $212,200 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 16% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 45% | 30% | n/a |
Because most Golden Valley County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The counties around Golden Valley County
Six nearby counties, 34 to 58 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Golden Valley County; Stillwater County is highest at $84,732 and Wheatland County lowest at $49,489.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Valley County | - | $58,333 | $783/mo | 81% |
| Wheatland County, MT | 34 mi | $49,489 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Musselshell County, MT | 36 mi | $58,920 | $1,138/mo | 85% |
| Stillwater County, MT | 51 mi | $84,732 | $961/mo | 83% |
| Yellowstone County, MT | 53 mi | $76,570 | $1,131/mo | 70% |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | 54 mi | $77,000 | $1,149/mo | 80% |
| Fergus County, MT | 58 mi | $63,706 | $954/mo | 63% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Golden Valley County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Golden Valley County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 434 people, so roughly 52% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Golden Valley County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryegate | town | 273 | $46,786 | $813 | 7 mi |
| Lavina | town | 134 | $40,625 | $625 | 13 mi |
| Golden Valley Colony | CDP | 27 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Debt-to-income at Golden Valley County's medians
How much room does a median Golden Valley County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Golden Valley County: $4,861
- Rent at the median, $783, takes 16% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $967 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Golden Valley County
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 22.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.9 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.5% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 22.9% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.1% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.0% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.5% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
Before borrowing in Golden Valley County
A few patterns in the Golden Valley County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 23% of Golden Valley County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 28% of Golden Valley County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 15% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Four steps for Golden Valley County borrowers
Quick steps for Golden Valley County:
- Price the Golden Valley County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Golden Valley County
Consumer lenders serving Golden Valley County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Montana that is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Montana guide.
Related local guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Golden Valley County household make?
About $58,333 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 20% below the Montana median.
How does Golden Valley County rent compare with Montana?
$783 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 28% below.
Should Golden Valley County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Golden Valley County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Golden Valley County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Ryegate, Lavina, Golden Valley Colony.
Are Golden Valley County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.