1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Meagher County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $71,932. 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
- Meagher County, MT: the basics
- How much Meagher County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Meagher County
- Renting and owning in Meagher County
- The communities that make up Meagher County
- Regional comparison for Meagher County
- Budget math at the Meagher County median
- Who lives in Meagher County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Meagher County
- Checking a lender's license in Montana
- Four steps for Meagher County borrowers
- More guides for Meagher County
- Frequently asked questions
Meagher County, MT: the basics
With an estimated 2,007 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Meagher County ranks 45th of 56 in Montana for population. It covers 2,392 square miles of land, with fewer than one resident per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Meagher 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 Meagher County, White Sulphur Springs leads by population with about 957; 1 of the 3 are incorporated. Because Meagher County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How much Meagher County households make
Half of Meagher County households take in less than $71,932 a year and half take in more, about the same as the Montana median of $72,509. That places it 13th among Montana's 56 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Meagher County | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.1% | +4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.8% | -4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.9% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | -0.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Meagher County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. 12.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.5%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.437 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Meagher County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Meagher County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 0.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 22% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Meagher County share | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 29.0% | +22.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.6% | -6.6 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -2.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.5% | -3.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Meagher County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,263 in Meagher County versus $1,081 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 9% of renter households here. With a median value of $259,800, a typical Meagher County house costs 3.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 75% of homes. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Meagher County | Montana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,263/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $259,800 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 9% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 30% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 36% | 13% | n/a |
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 communities that make up Meagher County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Meagher County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 1,060 people, so roughly 47% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Meagher County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Sulphur Springs | city | 957 | $62,159 | $1,315 | 3 mi |
| Martinsdale | CDP | 86 | n/a | n/a | 30 mi |
| Springdale Colony | CDP | 17 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
Regional comparison for Meagher County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Meagher County's, from 33 to 71 miles away. Jefferson County leads the group on income ($95,490), Wheatland County trails ($49,489), and Meagher County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meagher County | - | $71,932 | $1,263/mo | 75% |
| Broadwater County, MT | 33 mi | $70,374 | $955/mo | 88% |
| Judith Basin County, MT | 42 mi | $59,000 | $495/mo | 73% |
| Wheatland County, MT | 51 mi | $49,489 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Cascade County, MT | 54 mi | $67,690 | $939/mo | 69% |
| Jefferson County, MT | 63 mi | $95,490 | $925/mo | 84% |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | 71 mi | $77,000 | $1,149/mo | 80% |
Budget math at the Meagher County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Meagher County's medians:
- $5,994 a month: gross income for a household at the Meagher County median
- Housing at the median rent of $1,263 uses 21%
- Under a 35% cap, $2,098 total minus rent leaves $835
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,434 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Meagher County's.
Who lives in Meagher County, in numbers
30% of Meagher County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Meagher County | All of Montana | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 58.3 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.0% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.6% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 0.5% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.7% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Meagher County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 55.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 3.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.0% |
| 60+ min | 19.7% |
Before borrowing in Meagher County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Meagher County borrowers.
- Long drives. With 22% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Meagher County budgets.
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirees. At a median age of 58.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Checking a lender's license in Montana
The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Montana license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Montana state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Meagher County borrowers
Quick steps for Meagher County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Montana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Meagher County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Meagher County
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meagher County a high-income county?
Its $71,932 median ranks 13th of 56 Montana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Meagher County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,263 a month; 9% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Meagher County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Meagher 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 White Sulphur Springs?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Meagher County, such as Martinsdale, Springdale Colony.
Are Meagher 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.