1st Advantage MortgageIn Wibaux County, Montana, the typical household earns $67,462 a year and the typical rent is $963. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Montana license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Wibaux County
- What it costs to live in Wibaux County
- Income in Wibaux County compared with Montana
- Employment and commuting in Wibaux County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Wibaux County
- What a median Wibaux County budget can carry
- Who lives in Wibaux County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Wibaux County
- Who licenses lenders for Wibaux County residents
- A Wibaux County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Wibaux County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Wibaux County
Roughly 1,193 residents live in Wibaux County, Montana, 52nd by population among the state's 56 counties and county equivalents. It covers 890 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Wibaux County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 1 Census place inside Wibaux County, Wibaux leads by population with about 672. Because Wibaux County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What it costs to live in Wibaux County
Renters in Wibaux County pay a median of $963 a month, 11% below the Montana figure of $1,081. By the Census definition, 12% of Wibaux County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $98,600, about 1.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 72% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1973.
| Cost | Wibaux County | Montana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $963/mo | $1,081/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $98,600 | $375,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 12% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 30% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Wibaux 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.
Income in Wibaux County compared with Montana
At $67,462, the typical Wibaux County household income is 3% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Wibaux County | +/- vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.0% | -4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.2% | +8.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.6% | -2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Wibaux County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.8%, 4 points higher than the state's 11.5%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.408 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Wibaux County median.
Employment and commuting in Wibaux County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Wibaux County residents work in education and health care and 20% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Montana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (20% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.7% in Wibaux County. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 3.0% of the total (4.7% statewide).
| Sector | Wibaux County | Compared with Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 19.6% | +13.5 pts |
| Construction | 14.5% | +5.3 pts |
| Public administration | 10.9% | +5.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.6% | -5.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wibaux County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 58 miles). Income ranges from $68,021 in Golden Valley County to $86,806 in Billings County; all six of these neighbors top Wibaux County's median. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wibaux County resident follows Montana rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wibaux County | - | $67,462 | $963/mo | 72% |
| Golden Valley County, ND | 20 mi | $68,021 | $638/mo | 80% |
| Dawson County, MT | 36 mi | $71,334 | $815/mo | 72% |
| Billings County, ND | 43 mi | $86,806 | $621/mo | 78% |
| Fallon County, MT | 45 mi | $76,250 | $779/mo | 69% |
| Slope County, ND | 53 mi | $71,250 | $525/mo | 81% |
| Richland County, MT | 58 mi | $73,084 | $917/mo | 67% |
Places inside Wibaux County
Wibaux is the only Census place mainly inside Wibaux County, with about 672 of the county's 1,193 residents. Live in one of these Wibaux County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wibaux | town | 672 | $66,856 | $934 | 4 mi |
What a median Wibaux County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wibaux County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,622 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($963)
- Under a 43% cap, $2,417 total minus rent leaves $1,454
Two-income households and single earners in Wibaux County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Wibaux County, in numbers
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. 6.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Wibaux County | Montana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0 | 40.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.0% | 5.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | 8.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.6% | 12.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 11.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
Before borrowing in Wibaux County
Based on the Wibaux County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 20% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who licenses lenders for Wibaux County residents
Consumer lenders serving Wibaux County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Montana that is the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Montana guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Wibaux County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Wibaux County residents:
- Price the Wibaux County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Montana borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Wibaux County
The Montana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wibaux County earn?
The median is $67,462; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 18% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Wibaux County rent compare with Montana?
$963 locally versus $1,081 for the state, 11% below.
Should Wibaux County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Wibaux 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 Wibaux County?
By population: Wibaux. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Is the fit check different in Wibaux County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.