1st Advantage MortgageLiberty County households have a median income of $57,857 and median rent of $710 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Montana before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Liberty County
- Household income in Liberty County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Liberty County
- How Liberty County residents earn a living
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Liberty County
- Debt-to-income at Liberty County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Liberty County
- Liberty County households compared
- A Liberty County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Montana
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Liberty County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Liberty County's population at 1,952; only 45 of Montana's 56 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,430 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.4 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Liberty County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Chester is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 749 people (38% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Liberty County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Household income in Liberty County
At $57,857, the typical Liberty County household income is 12% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 42nd of 56.
| Household income | Liberty County | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.4% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -3.6 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 25.8% of Liberty County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.510 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Liberty County
A typical Liberty County rental runs $710 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Montana. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 29% spend half or more. With a median value of $169,100, a typical Liberty County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 63% of Liberty County households own their home and 37% rent. Median construction year: 1966.
| Housing | Liberty County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $710/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $169,100 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.5% | 9.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 13% | n/a |
How Liberty County residents earn a living
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 24%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Liberty County averages 0.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). About 47% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 10.2% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Liberty County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 28.9% | +22.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 10.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 9.7% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 5.8% | -5.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 4.1% | -6.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (32 to 87 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Liberty County; Teton County is highest at $70,430 and Pondera County lowest at $52,338.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty County | - | $57,857 | $710/mo | 63% |
| Toole County, MT | 32 mi | $57,731 | $826/mo | 63% |
| Hill County, MT | 43 mi | $52,798 | $776/mo | 66% |
| Chouteau County, MT | 54 mi | $58,218 | $536/mo | 68% |
| Pondera County, MT | 59 mi | $52,338 | $784/mo | 68% |
| Teton County, MT | 77 mi | $70,430 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Cascade County, MT | 87 mi | $67,690 | $939/mo | 69% |
The communities that make up Liberty County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Liberty County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 1,288 residents, leaving about 34% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | town | 749 | $53,750 | $720 | 5 mi |
| Joplin | CDP | 265 | $67,891 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Riverview Colony | CDP | 192 | $2,499 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Eagle Creek Colony | CDP | 44 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Sage Creek Colony | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
| Whitlash | CDP | 8 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Debt-to-income at Liberty County's medians
Here is the Liberty County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,821 a month: gross income for a household at the Liberty County median
- 15% goes to median rent ($710)
- $1,363: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Liberty County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Liberty County
Based on the Liberty County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Assistance before credit. With a 26% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Liberty County loan.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Liberty County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Liberty County households compared
Degree holders: 28% of adults over 25. 3.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Liberty County | All of Montana | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.8% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.2% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.4% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.2% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 26.5% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.8% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.6% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
A Liberty County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Liberty County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Liberty County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Montana borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Montana
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Liberty 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. See the Montana state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Montana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Liberty County earn?
The median is $57,857; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Liberty County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $710 against $1,081 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Chester?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Liberty County, such as Joplin, Riverview Colony, Eagle Creek Colony.
Is the fit check different in Liberty County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Liberty County residents?
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Montana; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.