1st Advantage MortgageThe median Judith Basin County household earns $59,000, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Judith Basin County
- Income in Judith Basin County compared with Montana
- What it costs to live in Judith Basin County
- Work, industries and travel time in Judith Basin County
- Places inside Judith Basin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Debt-to-income at Judith Basin County's medians
- Reading the Judith Basin County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Judith Basin County, in numbers
- Checklist for Judith Basin County applicants
- Montana rules that apply in Judith Basin County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Judith Basin County
With an estimated 2,071 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Judith Basin County ranks 43rd of 56 in Montana for population. It covers 1,870 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Judith Basin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Stanford is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 268 people (13% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Judith Basin County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Income in Judith Basin County compared with Montana
The median household income in Judith Basin County is $59,000; statewide it is $72,509, so Judith Basin County runs 19% below Montana as a whole.
| Income band | Share in Judith Basin County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.9% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. 13.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.5%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.459 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Judith Basin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $495 in Judith Basin County versus $1,081 statewide. By the Census definition, 17% of Judith Basin County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $238,300, a typical Judith Basin County house costs 4.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 73% of homes. The median home was built in 1967, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Judith Basin County | Montana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $495/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $238,300 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 17% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.7% | 9.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Judith Basin 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Judith Basin County
By the Census industry count, 37% of employed Judith Basin County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 18% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 37% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.1% in Judith Basin County. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 28% work from home. Households without a car make up 2.4% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Where residents work | Judith Basin County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 36.7% | +30.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.7% | -5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.8% | -4.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.4% | -4.4 pts |
| Construction | 4.6% | -4.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Judith Basin County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Judith Basin County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 674 people, so roughly 67% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | town | 268 | $56,875 | $850 | 9 mi |
| Hobson | city | 160 | $42,917 | $538 | 20 mi |
| Windham | CDP | 84 | $49,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Geyser | CDP | 66 | $61,250 | $421 | 18 mi |
| Raynesford | CDP | 54 | $75,000 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Moccasin | CDP | 17 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Utica | CDP | 14 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Sapphire Ridge | CDP | 11 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Surprise Creek Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Meagher County is closest, 42 miles from center to center; the sixth, Golden Valley County, is 70 miles off. Meagher County leads the group on income ($71,932), Wheatland County trails ($49,489), and Judith Basin County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judith Basin County | - | $59,000 | $495/mo | 73% |
| Meagher County, MT | 42 mi | $71,932 | $1,263/mo | 75% |
| Wheatland County, MT | 43 mi | $49,489 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Fergus County, MT | 52 mi | $63,706 | $954/mo | 63% |
| Cascade County, MT | 53 mi | $67,690 | $939/mo | 69% |
| Chouteau County, MT | 59 mi | $58,218 | $536/mo | 68% |
| Golden Valley County, MT | 70 mi | $58,333 | $783/mo | 81% |
Debt-to-income at Judith Basin County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Judith Basin County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,917 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $495 uses 10%
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,472 a month
If your rent is above $495, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Judith Basin County data as a borrower
Based on the Judith Basin County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Judith Basin County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 46.2 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Who lives in Judith Basin County, in numbers
31% of Judith Basin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Judith Basin County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.0% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 27.9% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Judith Basin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.1% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Checklist for Judith Basin County applicants
A short checklist for Judith Basin County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Judith Basin County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Montana rules that apply in Judith Basin County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Judith Basin County resident can confirm its license with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Judith Basin County a high-income county?
Its $59,000 median ranks 37th of 56 Montana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Judith Basin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $495 a month; 17% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Stanford?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Judith Basin County, such as Hobson, Windham, Geyser.
Is the fit check different in Judith Basin County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Judith Basin County?
Start with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.