1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Wheatland County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $49,489. 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
- Wheatland County, MT: the basics
- How Wheatland County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Wheatland County
- Renting and owning in Wheatland County
- Towns and communities in Wheatland County
- Wheatland County and the counties next door
- Budget math at the Wheatland County median
- Who lives in Wheatland County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Wheatland County
- Checklist for Wheatland County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Wheatland County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wheatland County, MT: the basics
With an estimated 2,056 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Wheatland County ranks 44th of 56 in Montana for population. Spread over 1,422 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.4 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wheatland County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 7 Census places inside Wheatland County, Harlowton leads by population with about 1,058; 2 of the 7 are incorporated. Because Wheatland County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Wheatland County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Wheatland County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 18% in education and health care. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (22% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.8% in Wheatland County. About 52% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 2.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Wheatland County workers | vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.8% | +15.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.8% | -5.4 pts |
| Construction | 16.4% | +7.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.6% | +2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -3.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | +1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Wheatland County
At $49,489, the typical Wheatland County household income is 25% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Wheatland County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.4% | +12.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.3% | -10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -3.8 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 23.0%, 12 points higher than the state's 11.5%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.483 here. For a borrower in Wheatland 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.
Renting and owning in Wheatland County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $730 in Wheatland County versus $1,081 statewide. 29% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 2% spend half or more. With a median value of $180,800, a typical Wheatland County house costs 3.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 76% of Wheatland County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1958.
| Measure | Wheatland County | Montana | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $730/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $180,800 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 30% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Wheatland 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.
Towns and communities in Wheatland County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Wheatland County residents live in one of the 7. No Wheatland County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlowton | city | 1,058 | $55,600 | $742 | 4 mi |
| Judith Gap | city | 140 | n/a | $654 | 14 mi |
| Martinsdale Colony | CDP | 57 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Springwater Colony | CDP | 42 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Shawmut | CDP | 36 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Twodot | CDP | 11 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Duncan Ranch Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Wheatland County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (34 to 62 miles). All of the six report a higher median household income than Wheatland County; Stillwater County is highest at $84,732 and Golden Valley County lowest at $58,333.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatland County | - | $49,489 | $730/mo | 76% |
| Golden Valley County, MT | 34 mi | $58,333 | $783/mo | 81% |
| Judith Basin County, MT | 43 mi | $59,000 | $495/mo | 73% |
| Sweet Grass County, MT | 48 mi | $77,000 | $1,149/mo | 80% |
| Meagher County, MT | 51 mi | $71,932 | $1,263/mo | 75% |
| Fergus County, MT | 58 mi | $63,706 | $954/mo | 63% |
| Stillwater County, MT | 62 mi | $84,732 | $961/mo | 83% |
Budget math at the Wheatland County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wheatland County's medians:
- $4,124 a month: gross income for a household at the Wheatland County median
- Median rent: $730, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 35% cap, $1,443 total minus rent leaves $713
- $1,126: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Wheatland County, in numbers
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. About 18% go without health insurance.
| Wheatland County | Montana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.2% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.4% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.9% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.3% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 23.3% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.0% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.8% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Wheatland County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 65.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 13.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Wheatland County
What the Wheatland County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Wheatland County. For the 18% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.2, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 23% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Checklist for Wheatland County applicants
Quick steps for Wheatland County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Wheatland County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Wheatland County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Wheatland County, check the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Montana: Montana personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wheatland County household make?
About $49,489 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 32% below the Montana median.
What do renters pay in Wheatland County?
$730 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Should Wheatland County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Wheatland County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Wheatland County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Harlowton, Judith Gap, Martinsdale Colony, Springwater Colony, Shawmut and 2 more.
Is the fit check different in Wheatland County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.