1st Advantage MortgageThe median McCone County household earns $69,375, and 5% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of McCone County
- What McCone County households earn
- McCone County housing compared with Montana
- Employment and commuting in McCone County
- Towns and communities in McCone County
- The counties around McCone County
- McCone County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for McCone County borrowers
- What a median McCone County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in McCone County
- Licensing and complaints for McCone County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of McCone County
With an estimated 1,670 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), McCone County ranks 48th of 56 in Montana for population. Spread over 2,642 square miles, that works out to roughly 0.6 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (1 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Circle, with about 514 residents, or 31% of the county. With so few households sampled, McCone County estimates can move a lot between releases.
What McCone County households earn
At $69,375, the typical McCone County household income is 6% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in McCone County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.3% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | +0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -5.8 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 5.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.5%). None of these numbers decides a McCone County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
McCone County housing compared with Montana
A typical McCone County rental runs $556 a month including utilities, which is 49% below Montana. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. Home values center on $211,600, or 3.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 90%.
| Housing | McCone County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $556/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $211,600 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 90% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | n/a |
Because most McCone 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.
Employment and commuting in McCone County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 34% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 12%. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (34% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 16% work from home. 0.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | McCone County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 33.7% | +27.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 11.8% | -11.4 pts |
| Public administration | 10.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.9% | +3.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.1% | -4.6 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 McCone County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 36% of McCone County residents live in one of the 4. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | town | 514 | $75,417 | $547 | 17 mi |
| Vida | CDP | 83 | $34,034 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Brockway | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| Prairie Elk Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
The counties around McCone County
Six nearby counties, 47 to 65 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richland County leads the group on income ($73,084), Prairie County trails ($51,250), and McCone County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCone County | - | $69,375 | $556/mo | 90% |
| Dawson County, MT | 47 mi | $71,334 | $815/mo | 72% |
| Richland County, MT | 57 mi | $73,084 | $917/mo | 67% |
| Roosevelt County, MT | 57 mi | $57,063 | $705/mo | 67% |
| Prairie County, MT | 58 mi | $51,250 | $627/mo | 84% |
| Garfield County, MT | 63 mi | $69,583 | $725/mo | 72% |
| Valley County, MT | 65 mi | $71,695 | $767/mo | 78% |
McCone County residents: age, schooling, coverage
23% of McCone County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.3%, against 8.6% for Montana.
| McCone County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.2 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 2.3% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 0.4% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.3% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.0% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for McCone County borrowers
Where the McCone County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 12% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 53, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
What a median McCone County budget can carry
How much room does a median McCone County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,781 a month: gross income for a household at the McCone County median
- Median rent: $556, or 10 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 35% cap, $2,023 total minus rent leaves $1,467
- Under a 45% cap, $2,602 total minus rent leaves $2,046
Two-income households and single earners in McCone County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in McCone County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for McCone County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with McCone County borrowers answers to the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McCone County household make?
About $69,375 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 4% below the Montana median.
What do renters pay in McCone County?
$556 a month at the median, about 10% of median household income.
Does this page cover Circle?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in McCone County, such as Vida, Brockway, Prairie Elk Colony.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in McCone County or elsewhere in Montana, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in McCone County?
Start with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.