1st Advantage MortgageIn Stillwater County, Montana, the typical household earns $84,732 a year and the typical rent is $961. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Stillwater County, and confirm each one's Montana license.
On this page
- Who lives in Stillwater County
- Where Stillwater County works
- How Stillwater County ranks in Montana
- Paychecks and income spread in Stillwater County
- Renting and owning in Stillwater County
- Census places in Stillwater County
- Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County and other neighbors
- $7,061 a month: the Stillwater County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Stillwater County
- People and households in Stillwater County
- Checklist for Stillwater County applicants
- Montana rules that apply in Stillwater County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Stillwater County
With an estimated 9,182 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Stillwater County ranks 25th of 56 in Montana for population. It covers 1,797 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. Stillwater County counts toward the Billings, MT metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Billings, MT include it. Columbus is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 2,003 people (22% of the county total). Because Stillwater County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Where Stillwater County works
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Stillwater County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 21% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 22% locally and 6% for Montana. The survey's unemployment rate for Stillwater County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 27%; under 15 minutes: 32%.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Stillwater County | Gap to Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.6% | +15.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.5% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.7% | +3.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -1.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Stillwater County ranks in Montana
- Stillwater County ranks 3rd highest of 56 Montana counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 44%, against 35% statewide. High earners still overpay when they skip comparing offers.
- On median household income, Stillwater County sits near the top of Montana at $84,732, 3rd highest of 56. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 27% in Stillwater County. Only 3 of 56 Montana counties are higher. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
Paychecks and income spread in Stillwater County
$84,732 is the median household income for Stillwater County, set against $72,509 for Montana. Only 2 Montana counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Stillwater County | Difference from Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.4% | -1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.7% | -8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.2% | +5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.7% | +3.6 pts |
21% under $35,000 and 44% at $100,000 or more: that is the Stillwater County income split. Census counts 8.3% of Stillwater County residents in poverty, against 11.5% across Montana. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.475 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Stillwater County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Stillwater County
Renters in Stillwater County pay a median of $961 a month, 11% below the Montana figure of $1,081. By the Census definition, 29% of Stillwater County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $405,800; median income $84,732; ratio 4.8. The ownership rate is 83%.
| Housing | Stillwater County | Montana statewide | Stillwater County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 45% | -16.2 pts |
| Owners | 83% | 69% | +13.7 pts |
| Median gross rent | $961/mo | $1,081/mo | 11% lower |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% | 9.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Median home value | $405,800 | $375,800 | 8% higher |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 30% | +0.2 pts |
Because most Stillwater 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.
Census places in Stillwater County
4,083 of Stillwater County's 9,182 residents live in its 7 Census places (44%); the 7 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $77,143 at the median in Absarokee, $54,637 in Park City. Median rent ranges from $927 in Absarokee to $1,256 in Park City. From Columbus to the smallest crossroads, Stillwater County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | town | 2,003 | $65,250 | $945 | 7 mi |
| Absarokee | CDP | 926 | $77,143 | $927 | 10 mi |
| Park City | CDP | 764 | $54,637 | $1,256 | 22 mi |
| Reed Point | CDP | 147 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Fishtail | CDP | 89 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Nye | CDP | 85 | $103,542 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Rapelje | CDP | 69 | $87,750 | $444 | 22 mi |
Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County and other neighbors
Sweet Grass County is closest, 29 miles from center to center; the sixth, Wheatland County, is 62 miles off. Carbon County leads the group on income ($80,261), Wheatland County trails ($49,489), and Stillwater County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stillwater County | - | $84,732 | $961/mo | 83% |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | 29 mi | $77,000 | $1,149/mo | 80% |
| Carbon County, MT | 35 mi | $80,261 | $844/mo | 78% |
| Golden Valley County, MT | 51 mi | $58,333 | $783/mo | 81% |
| Yellowstone County, MT | 57 mi | $76,570 | $1,131/mo | 70% |
| Park County, MT | 57 mi | $70,047 | $976/mo | 69% |
| Wheatland County, MT | 62 mi | $49,489 | $730/mo | 76% |
$7,061 a month: the Stillwater County median budget
Here is the Stillwater County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $84,732 a year is $7,061 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $961, takes 14% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $2,075 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Stillwater County
Where the Stillwater County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Keeping the car running. At 27% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Stillwater County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Higher earners. 44% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
People and households in Stillwater County
College graduates make up 32% of the adult population. Uninsured, Stillwater County: 5.2%; Montana: 8.6%.
| People and households | Stillwater County | Compared with Montana | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | +6.3 yrs | +5.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 32.3% | -2.9 pts | +10.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.4% | -0.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | -3.4 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | -1.5 pts | -2.2 pts |
| Work from home | 9.8% | -2.7 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | -3.2 pts | -4.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -0.5 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Commute length | Stillwater County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.3% |
| 60+ min | 13.3% |
Checklist for Stillwater County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Stillwater County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Stillwater County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Stillwater County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Montana borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Montana rules that apply in Stillwater County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Stillwater County, check the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. If a Stillwater County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop.
Keep exploring
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Frequently asked questions
Where does Stillwater County rank on income in Montana?
3rd of 56, with a median of $84,732. The state median is $72,509.
How much is rent in Stillwater County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $961 a month; 29% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
How many towns are in Stillwater County?
The Census Bureau counts 7 places mainly in the county, led by Columbus, Absarokee, Park City, Reed Point, Fishtail.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Stillwater County or elsewhere in Montana, the same rules apply.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Stillwater County?
Look it up with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.