The State Of Montana

Montana is located in the western region of the US. This state shares a border with Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, and Wyoming. It encompasses an area of 147,040 square miles which contain both prairies and mountain ranges. The population of Montana is 1,032,949. Many people live in rural areas of the state, although some large populations can be found in the cities and towns. This article inspects some of the most populated cities in Montana.

The Biggest Cities In Montana

Billings

Billings is the largest city in Montana with a population of 104,170, although the entire metropolitan area has approximately 166,855 people. This city is the county seat of Yellowstone County and is located in the southern part of the state. The racial demographics of Billings are White (89.6%), Hispanic or Latino (5.2%), Native American (4.4%), African American (.8%), and Asian (.7%).

The first European explorers to this area arrived in 1806 followed by settlers in 1877. Billings was officially founded in 1882. Because of its close proximity to the Northern Pacific Railway, the city quickly grew. In the early 1900’s, oil, natural gas, and coal reserves were discovered here, promoting continued growth. After World War II, Billings became a major center for financial and medical services. Today, Billings hosts corporate headquarters and is a major shopping center for residents from nearby states due to no state sales tax.

Missoula

Missoula is second on the list of the biggest cities in Montana with a population size of 66,788. The racial makeup of this city is 92.1% White, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.8% Native American, 1.2% Asian, and .5% African American. The average age is 30.9 years and women slightly outnumber men.

This city was originally established in 1860 as a trading post. It began to grow significantly after the Northern Pacific Railway was finished in 1883. After this, Missoula’s lumber industry thrived until the late 1990’s. Today, the economy centers around the University of Montana, the largest employer in the city. The second and third largest employers are the two hospitals located here. Tourism also plays a large part in the economy as over 4 million visitors come to Missoula every year.

Great Falls

With a population of 58,505, Great Falls is the third biggest city in Montana. This city is the county seat of Cascade County, and its entire metropolitan area has a population of approximately 82,278. The average age of the residents is 39 years, and the racial demographics are White (88.5%), Native American (5%), Hispanic or Latino (3.4%), African American (1.1%), and Asian (.9%).

The first European explorers to the area arrived in 1805, and by the 1820’s, this site was a fur-trapping destination. Settlers began establishing homes here in 1855 and in 1883, Great Falls was founded and began to grow slowly. For the better part of the 20th century, this city was an industrial and supply center. From 1950 until 1970, it was the largest city in Montana, surpassed by Billings. In the latter years of the 20th century, the economy and population size began to decline. Great Falls was the second most populated city in Montana until 2000 when Missoula took its place. The nearby waterfalls were developed with hydroelectric dams. Additionally, the Malmstrom Air Force Base and 341st Missile Wing are located in this city.

Other urban areas can be seen in the chart published below.

Environmental Problems In Montana

The state of Montana is currently experiencing significant temperature increases, particularly in the cities where concrete holds in solar heat. Glacier National Park is located here and has lost a large percentage of its glacier coverage in the last few decades. The US Environmental Protection Agency has predicted that air pollution will increase by 80% in this state