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Montana State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#19 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

The name Montana was derived from a Spanish word that means “Mountainous.” True to its name, its western half contains several mountain ranges. It is the fourth largest state when it comes to its area and has the 43rd largest population. It shares a border with the land of states such as Idaho (west), South Dakota (east), North Dakota (east), and Wyoming (south).

Updated: April 20, 2021
  • Area
    147,040 SQ. MI.
  • Capital
    Helena
  • Population
    1,068,778
  • Income
    $53,386
  • Home Value
    $324,813
  • Crime
    4,328
  • Unemployment
    4.2%
  • Education
    30.7%
  • Medicine
    41
  • Poverty
    12.4%
  • Environment
    6
  • Infrastructure
    3.5%

Montana State has several nicknames, including “Big Sky Country”, “Land of the Shining Mountains,” “The Treasure State,” and “The Last Best Place” on its official web page. The capital of Montana is Helena. Its eastern half is full of badlands and western prairie terrains. It is famous for its various parks and other sites for tourist attraction. However, its economy is built on agriculture, especially ranching and cereal farming. Other great economic resources include gas, oil, coal, lumber, and mining. The health care and government sectors also play vital roles in its economy.

The metrics above show that it is doing well in various areas. When it comes to population, it doesn’t rank high from the last census. Nonetheless, it is improving in the areas of education and infrastructure. There is no doubt that there are many other states ahead in these categories. However, it still offers reasonable quality in these regards.

Its 12% poverty rate shows that it is catching up fast with other high-flying states in the United States of America. This area is one of the places where entrepreneurs can expect their businesses to thrive in the U.S. Tourism remains the fastest growing sector of its economy as of 2021.

How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States to Live In

The greatness, history, and population of some states do not mean that these are the best places to live in the U.S. It is always better to consider certain facts from the pages of reputable sources such as the United Health Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Labor. These agencies offer reliable information based on the recent census many will find useful.

Montana Rankings

  • Population
    #43
    Population
    Data: 1,068,778

    Montana population density is not great. Also, in comparison with the other states in the United States of America, it is one of the lowest. Its 43rd rating says it all. Places such as Texas (28,995,881) and California (39,512,223) dwarfs The Treasure State in this regard.

  • Median Income
    #22
    Income in $
    Data: $53,386

    Information on the pages of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and history of payment shows that gynecologists and physicians are great jobs here. Alongside pediatrics, they are the highest-paying jobs. Including the capital city, it has four billionaires and 21,530 millionaires as of 2021.

  • Home Value
    #15
    Home Value
    Data: $324,813

    The median home value index shows the pricing of homes there. The prices increase by 9% per year, making this industry great and lucrative for landlords and rentals. Areas such as Four Corners, West Glendive, and Glasgow are some of the most desirable places to buy or rent a house in the area.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #9
    Unemployment
    Data: 4.2%

    Just like most states in the US, Montana’s unemployment rate is reasonably low. When compared to other places, the ranking shows that it is in a comfortable position. Getting a role and job security in this area is worthwhile, so many people want to live there.

  • Poverty
    #28
    Poverty
    Data: 12.4%

    When compared to a place like Mississippi (19.8%) that has the highest poverty rate, it looks some way off. However, it is not all gloom and doom for the region. Based on race, the Natives have the highest poverty rate. Meanwhile, females, especially the unemployed, are the poorest.

  • Education
    #20
    Education
    Data: 30.7%

    This ranking among the most educated areas in the U.S. is reasonably good. Its 30.7% score is not far from Massachusetts, the location with the highest (42.1%) educational rating. Meanwhile, it is far better than West Virginia (19.9%). Based on race, Whites are the most educated while Blacks have the least education.

  • Medicine
    #29
    Medicine
    Health Outcomes: 41

    Its percentage of medically unsecured people is lower than in a neighboring area like Wyoming (12.3%). Also, it is not very far from MT with the highest, Massachusetts (3.0%). Environmental initiatives aimed to bring about changes in this area are laws such as at all governmental levels like challenging the EPA’s water rule.

  • Crime Rate
    #26
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 4,328

    It has a high rank among the least violent places in the country. Only a few states like South Dakota, Maine, Vermont, and Wyoming have less cases of murder. According to the state legislature and gun laws, there are restrictions preventing some people from purchasing weapons.

  • Natural Environment
    #18
    Environment
    Air: 6

    The natural environment’s rating is relatively impressive. However, such states as Alabama, Hawaii, and Wyoming have a better score when it comes to drinking water. As of 2021, MT is one of the safest and healthiest places in the U.S.

  • Infrastructure
    #22
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 3.5%

    3.5% of Montana is better than Alaska and Rhode Island’s 18.7% and 24.6% regarding roads in bad conditions. So, its score is relatively good and makes it rank among the best in this category. This level of infrastructural development is one of the contributing factors to its thriving economy in 2021.

Montana Facts

  • Montana abbreviation is MT.
  • The state motto is “Gold and Silver.”
  • This is the only area in the U.S. with Triple Divide, allowing water to flow to the Atlantic Ocean, Hudson Bay, and Hudson Bay. 
  • The state flower is the Bitterroot.
  • There are 56 counties altogether, with Silver Bow County and Yellowstone County being some of the most famous. 
  • MT zip codes range from 59001 to 59937.
  • The sales tax is 0%, and the property tax is 0.76%.
  • Over 30% of its total acreage is public lands.  
  • In the contiguous United States, the Yellow River is the longest free-flowing river. 
  • It serves as home to 53 State Parks and seven State Forests.
  • The state animal is the Grizzly bear.
  • Its lowest point is the Kootenai River, which is 1,804 ft.
  • Its fishing license covers from March 1 to February of the following year. 
  • There are 250 lakes within the boundaries of Glacier National Park.
  • During a storm in 1887, the longest ever snowflake fell in the region. 
  • The blue field on the flag is the state seal, showing its beautiful scenery.
  • Its driver’s license is obtainable for people under 18 if they can provide parental consent as of 2021

Pictures of Montana

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Montana Glacier National park Landscape
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FAQ Section

  • Where Is Montana?

    It is located in the north region of America called the Western United States. It is bothered in the north by the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. It is famous among the eight Mountain States. Its peculiar location and geography make it the favorite destination of tourists.

  • What Is the State Bird of Montana?

    The official state bird of the Big Sky Country is the Western Meadowlark. It was designated officially in 1931. It is a common songbird popular in North America. It is the overwhelming favorite of many school children found on their book pages.

  • What Time Zone Is MT?

    Mountain Standard Time is its time zone. It is seven hours behind the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-7). It is also the same for other southwestern and Rocky Mountain states such as New Mexico and Arizona.

  • What to Do in Montana?

    People from various places around the world visit Pick Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Nature and wildlife are another reason people feel it is worth it living here. It also offers excellent areas for forest lovers, water sports, day trips, and kayaking.

    It is the home of exciting places such as Glacier National park, Helena, the C.M. Russell Museum Complex, and the World Museum of Mining. National parks contribute significantly to the economy of the state, according to the pages of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • What Is MT Known for?

    It sounds strange, but the reality is that there are more cows in this place than the people.

    Other exciting info includes:

    • The first woman to be elected in the history of the U.S. congress in 1916, Jeannette Rankin, is from the Missoula region.
    • One of the largest virtually intact Tufts-Love Rex, a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, was discovered here in Hell Creek in 2016.
    • One of the finest sapphires in the world, Yogo Sapphires, has its home here.
    • Moreover, the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is the original entrance of the first National Park in the world when it opened.