Moving to Montana
Montana, otherwise known as ‘The Treasure State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to MT, we have composed a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful tidbits to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the Mountain Region of the country, Montana is bordered by Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. With a total land area of over 147,042.40 Square Miles, it comes in as the 4th largest state.
Population
Currently, the population of MT is 1,042,520 making it the 6th least populated state in the union and the 1st least densely populated. The state capital, Helena, has a population of 25780. which is the 3rd smallest capital in the country.
Other Populous Montana Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 265 | Billings | 110,323 |
Notable Montanans
Montana is home to many famous and some infamous citizens such as, Dorothy Baker a notable author is from Missoula and Dirk Benedict a notable actor is from Helena. Others include people like W A Tony Boyle a labor union official and Dana Carvey a comedian .
Climate
Montana, the fourth largest state in land area, has large climatic variations due to its geographic diversity and altitudinal range. The central and eastern portions of the state are part of the northern Great Plains, which experience warm summers and cold winters. The western part of the state is mountainous with snowy winters and cool summers. Elevations across the state range from about 1,800 feet to 12,800 feet, leading to large variations in temperature. Average January temperatures at valley and plains locations range from 11°F in the northeast to 22°F in the south-central portion of the state, while July temperatures range from 64°F in the southwest to 74°F in the southeast.
National Parks
Montana is home to 1 beautiful national park.
- Glacier
The U.S. half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, this park includes 26 glaciers and 130 named lakes surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks. There are historic hotels and a landmark road called the Going-to-the-Sun Road in this region of rapidly receding glaciers. The local mountains, formed by an overthrust, expose Paleozoic fossils including trilobites, mollusks, giant ferns and dinosaurs.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important consideration when relocating to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its citizens, it intensely affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Montana’s violent crime rate is 32 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 247per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.
Montana ranks #27 in the US for violent crime and #29 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Montana’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C
Montana spends on average $13800.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). MT ranks #23 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While MT ranks #23 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 86.00%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Montana ranks #46 with over 37.00% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for Montana is 6.90% which ranks 31st favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. MT’s rate is $36.89 which ranks 36th in the US.
Currently, MT sales tax is $0.00 for which it comes in as 1st compared to other states.
Sports
Unfortunately Montana does’nt have any major league teams.
Utility Companies
Before you move to Montana, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in MT.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to Montana, visit their website at http://www.discoveringmontana.com/