1st Advantage MortgageThe median Powder River County household earns $67,045, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Powder River County
- Renting and owning in Powder River County
- How much Powder River County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Powder River County
- Places inside Powder River County
- Regional comparison for Powder River County
- Debt-to-income at Powder River County's medians
- Who lives in Powder River County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Powder River County borrowers
- Checklist for Powder River County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Powder River County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Powder River County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Powder River County's population at 1,815; only 46 of Montana's 56 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 3,298 square miles, that works out to roughly 0.6 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Powder River County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Broadus is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 459 people (25% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Powder River County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Renting and owning in Powder River County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $533 in Powder River County versus $1,081 statewide. 9% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 9% spend half or more. With a median value of $192,100, a typical Powder River County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Powder River County | Montana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $533/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $192,100 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 9% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 30% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.2% | 9.4% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Powder River County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How much Powder River County households make
Half of Powder River County households take in less than $67,045 a year and half take in more, 8% below the Montana median of $72,509. In the state ranking that is 27th of 56.
| Band | Powder River County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.0% | +2.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.6% | -4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | +3.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -1.5 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.1% of Powder River County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. For a borrower in Powder River County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Powder River County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 31% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 31% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Powder River County averages 0.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 19% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 20% work from home. Only 3.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Powder River County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 30.7% | +24.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.0% | -6.2 pts |
| Construction | 11.9% | +2.6 pts |
| Public administration | 8.7% | +3.0 pts |
| Other services | 6.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.9% | -4.0 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 Powder River County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Powder River County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 500 people, so roughly 72% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadus | town | 459 | $60,000 | $523 | 8 mi |
| Biddle | CDP | 41 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
Regional comparison for Powder River County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (51 to 84 miles). Income ranges from $49,914 in Rosebud County to $79,637 in Crook County; 4 of these neighbors top Powder River County's median. Some neighbors are in Wyoming. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Powder River County resident follows Montana rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder River County | - | $67,045 | $533/mo | 79% |
| Carter County, MT | 51 mi | $54,167 | $824/mo | 62% |
| Custer County, MT | 59 mi | $70,605 | $893/mo | 70% |
| Crook County, WY | 74 mi | $79,637 | $852/mo | 78% |
| Rosebud County, MT | 75 mi | $49,914 | $672/mo | 64% |
| Sheridan County, WY | 78 mi | $71,388 | $939/mo | 71% |
| Fallon County, MT | 84 mi | $76,250 | $779/mo | 69% |
Debt-to-income at Powder River County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Powder River County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Powder River County: $5,587
- Rent at the median, $533, takes 10% of that
- $1,478: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,869 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Powder River County, in numbers
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Powder River County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.3 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.1% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 19.6% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.7% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Powder River County borrowers
What the Powder River County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Powder River County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 19% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Checklist for Powder River County applicants
Quick steps for Powder River County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Powder River County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Montana borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Powder River County
Powder River County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Montana guide.
Related local guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Powder River County?
$67,045 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,509 for Montana. It ranks 27th of 56 in the state.
How does Powder River County rent compare with Montana?
$533 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 51% below.
Should Powder River County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Powder River County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Powder River County?
By population: Broadus, Biddle. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Will a Powder River County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Montana as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.