• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics

Independent Nonpartisan Research

  • Research
    • Economic Development
    • Equity
    • Natural Hazards
    • Public Lands
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Tax Policy
  • Tools
  • About Us
  • Search
Headwaters-staff-Megan-Lawson

Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

  megan@headwaterseconomics.org       406.570.7475

Megan uses economic and demographic analysis to better understand the issues communities face, particularly related to land use, outdoor recreation, sustaining a diverse economy, and changing demographic and income trends. Megan holds a Ph.D. and Masters in Economics from the University of Colorado, and has a B.A. in Biology from Williams College.

Is rural America really doing so badly?

November 2020

Nearly half of rural communities have grown so much since the 1970s they are now classified as “urban.” Those that remain are diverse, but often have more specialized economies.

November 16, 2020 Filed Under: Economic Development Tagged With: rural, urban

Outdoor Recreation: A top driver of Wisconsin’s economy

October 2020

Kids pedal bicycles near a tent at Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin

The outdoor recreation economy contributes $7.8 billion, or 2.4% to Wisconsin’s GDP and generates more than 93,000 jobs across diverse sectors.

October 30, 2020 Filed Under: Outdoor Recreation Tagged With: outdoor recreation, outdoor recreation economy, wisconsin

Community benefits of the Merced River Trail

July 2020

Trailhead sign of the Merced River Trail

The Merced River Trail in Mariposa County, California will create benefits for the economy and businesses, quality of life, and public health.

July 17, 2020 Filed Under: Outdoor Recreation Tagged With: trails, Trails & Pathways

Housing in recreation-dependent counties is less affordable

May 2020

Mountain home being constructed in Autumn

Recreation dependence, population growth from new residents, and income inequality are strongly associated with less affordable housing in non-metro counties.

May 18, 2020 Filed Under: Equity, Outdoor Recreation Tagged With: housing affordability, outdoor recreation, recreation economy

Seniors in counties without hospitals are at the greatest risk

March 2020

Nearly one in five U.S. counties has a higher-than-average share of seniors and no hospital beds.

March 19, 2020 Filed Under: Disadvantaged Populations, Equity Tagged With: Disadvantaged Populations, pandemic, populations at risk, rural

Outdoor Recreation and New Mexico’s Economy

February 2020

Outdoor recreation is a way of life and economic powerhouse for New Mexico. New Mexico residents enjoy outdoor recreation on more than 35 million acres of public lands and the outdoor recreation economy directly supports $1.2 billion in income and 33,500 jobs.

February 25, 2020 Filed Under: Outdoor Recreation Tagged With: New Mexico, outdoor recreation, outdoor recreation economy

Using Economics to Support Climate Adaptation

December 2019

Economic methods and data can engage diverse audiences and tell new stories to help cities make a case for climate adaptation.

December 5, 2019 Filed Under: Climate Adaptation, Equity, Natural Hazards Tagged With: climate adaptation, Climate Change Adaptation, Economic Development, economic methods

Funding Needs for Montana’s Outdoor Heritage

July 2019

Funding for Montana’s working lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is not keeping pace as population, visitation, and development pressures expand.

July 25, 2019 Filed Under: Economic Development, Local Studies, Outdoor Recreation, Trends & Performance Tagged With: conservation, Economic Development, Local Studies, montana, recreation, state parks, trails, Trends & Performance, wildlife

Non-Labor Income in the Rural West

May 2019

Public Lands Forum logo over image of the Sequoia Red Wood forest

Non-labor income can have an outsized effect on communities in the rural West with a large share of public lands.

May 7, 2019 Filed Under: Public Lands

Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

April 2019

Panoramic image of the Triple Tree Trail in Bozeman, MT

Updated: Headwaters Economics compiled 144 trails research studies on the impacts of trails in a single library, searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region.

April 5, 2019 Filed Under: Outdoor Recreation, Trails & Pathways Tagged With: trails, Trails & Pathways

How Outdoor Recreation Supports Rural Economic Development

February 2019

Family riding bikes on trail

Investing in outdoor recreation is one of several strategies that can help rural communities thrive in a changing economy.

February 19, 2019 Filed Under: Local Studies, Outdoor Recreation, Trends & Performance Tagged With: development, Economy, Local Studies, outdoor recreation, rural, Trends & Performance

Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes

January 2019

recreation counties, outdoor recreation

Recreation counties, especially in non-metro places, draw new residents and have higher incomes and faster earnings growth than places without recreation.

January 24, 2019 Filed Under: Local Studies, Outdoor Recreation, Trends & Performance Tagged With: counties, Local Studies, outdoor recreation, recreation, Trends & Performance

Economic Diversification and Outdoor Recreation in Bonner County

August 2018

Improving economic diversification and outdoor recreation in Bonner County will bring new spending and jobs to the community.

August 10, 2018 Filed Under: Local Studies, Outdoor Recreation, Trails & Pathways Tagged With: bonner county, economic diversification, Local Studies, trail, Trails & Pathways

Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

April 2018

Outdoor recreation and the economic impact of Whitefish Trail use in Whitefish, Montana.

April 4, 2018 Filed Under: Local Studies, Outdoor Recreation, Trails & Pathways Tagged With: Local Studies, Trails & Pathways

Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana

April 2018

Updated: This report describes the benefits of a frontage path–a proposed paved, multi-use pathway connecting Belgrade and Bozeman along an approximately ten-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 10 in Gallatin County.

April 1, 2018 Filed Under: Outdoor Recreation, Trails & Pathways Tagged With: Trails & Pathways

Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos County

January 2018

The economic challenges and opportunities in Taos County stem from being both a bustling mountain resort town, and a rural community facing long-term socioeconomic challenges.

January 11, 2018 Filed Under: Economic Development, Local Studies Tagged With: Challenges, Economic, Economy, Local Studies, Opportunity, Taos, Taos County

Youth Migration in the West

December 2017

Headwaters-staff-Megan-Lawson

Western counties are experiencing a wide disparity in youth migration. While some are attracting and keeping young adults and families, others are struggling.

December 11, 2017 Filed Under: Economic Development, Local Studies, Trends & Performance Tagged With: Local Studies, Trends & Performance

Disasters and Populations at Risk: Lack of Vehicle Makes Evacuation Difficult

September 2017

Headwaters-staff-Megan-Lawson

Lack of access to a vehicle, poverty, and disabilities, can make evacuation difficult or impossible for some households.

September 7, 2017 Filed Under: Climate Adaptation, Equity, Natural Hazards

Federal Lands in the West: Liability or Asset?

February 2017

Update: Rural counties in the West with more federal lands performed better on average than their peers with less federal lands in four key economic measures.

February 21, 2017 Filed Under: Public Lands, Trends & Performance Tagged With: Trends & Performance

Dam Removal Case Studies

October 2016

Six dam removal case studies on the fiscal, economic, environmental, and social benefits of dam removal.

October 11, 2016 Filed Under: Disadvantaged Populations, Economic Development, Equity, Local Studies Tagged With: Disadvantaged Populations, Local Studies

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Independent Nonpartisan Research

Contact

© 2021 Headwaters Economics, all rights reserved

  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Photo Credits
  • Media Coverage
  • Slides
  • Contact
  • Twitter