1st Advantage MortgagePhillips County households have a median income of $53,417 and median rent of $536 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Phillips County, MT: the basics
- What it costs to live in Phillips County
- Household income in Phillips County
- Work, industries and travel time in Phillips County
- Phillips County towns compared
- Counties near Phillips County
- Phillips County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Phillips County
- Budget math at the Phillips County median
- Before you sign
- Montana rules that apply in Phillips County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Phillips County, MT: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Phillips County's population at 4,221; only 37 of Montana's 56 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 5,140 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Phillips County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 9 Census places inside Phillips County, Malta leads by population with about 2,100; 3 of the 9 are incorporated. Because Phillips County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What it costs to live in Phillips County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $536 in Phillips County versus $1,081 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. With a median value of $197,600, a typical Phillips County house costs 3.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 74% of Phillips County households own their home and 26% rent. Median construction year: 1974.
| Phillips County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $536/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $197,600 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 30% | 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).
Household income in Phillips County
The median household income in Phillips County is $53,417; statewide it is $72,509, so Phillips County runs 26% below Montana as a whole. Only 48 Montana counties post a higher median.
| Band | Phillips County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.9% | +6.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -5.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Phillips County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. 10.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.5%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.427 here. A household earning below the $53,417 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Phillips County
By the Census industry count, 32% of employed Phillips County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 17% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 32% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Phillips County averages 1.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). About 61% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 0.6% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Phillips County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 32.1% | +26.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.7% | -6.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.5% | -5.2 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Phillips County towns compared
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 62% of Phillips County residents live in one of the 9. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | city | 2,100 | $54,483 | $631 | 8 mi |
| Dodson | town | 153 | $40,804 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Saco | town | 140 | $48,500 | n/a | 31 mi |
| Whitewater | CDP | 105 | $34,583 | $270 | 38 mi |
| Zortman | CDP | 52 | n/a | n/a | 35 mi |
| Loring Colony | CDP | 31 | n/a | n/a | 37 mi |
| Landusky | CDP | 21 | n/a | n/a | 40 mi |
| Sleeping Buffalo | CDP | 9 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
| East Malta Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
Counties near Phillips County
Distances run center to center, from Blaine County at 49 miles out to Hill County at 103. Income ranges from $52,798 in Hill County to $71,695 in Valley County; 5 of these neighbors top Phillips County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips County | - | $53,417 | $536/mo | 74% |
| Blaine County, MT | 49 mi | $64,813 | $660/mo | 66% |
| Valley County, MT | 58 mi | $71,695 | $767/mo | 78% |
| Petroleum County, MT | 78 mi | $60,208 | $800/mo | 73% |
| Garfield County, MT | 81 mi | $69,583 | $725/mo | 72% |
| Fergus County, MT | 93 mi | $63,706 | $954/mo | 63% |
| Hill County, MT | 103 mi | $52,798 | $776/mo | 66% |
Phillips County households compared
25% of Phillips County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 7.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Phillips County | Montana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.6 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.4% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 0.6% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.7% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.5% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Phillips County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Phillips County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Phillips County borrowers.
- Mobile home upkeep. 17% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Older households. A 45.6 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Budget math at the Phillips County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Phillips County's medians:
- Start: $4,451 gross per month ($53,417 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $536, takes 12% of that
- $1,378: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Phillips County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Phillips County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Montana borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Montana rules that apply in Phillips County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Phillips County borrowers answers to the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Montana guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phillips County a high-income county?
Its $53,417 median ranks 49th of 56 Montana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Phillips County rent compare with Montana?
$536 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 50% below.
Does this page cover Malta?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Phillips County, such as Dodson, Saco, Whitewater.
Does living in Phillips County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Phillips County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Phillips County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Montana it is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions.