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Data update: Public land ownership if the United States

Featuring: Scott StoryScott Story

We have updated our webpage that tracks public land ownership in the United States with the latest available federal data. View interactive maps and charts for all 828 million acres of federal, state, and municipal land in the U.S., including breakdowns by state and county.

10 months ago
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A look into the inner-workings of Headwaters Economics.

Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Cohort

CPAW helped 25 communities adopt Colorado’s Wildfire Resiliency Code. Headwaters Economics’ Ryan Handy shares the details on this program.

19 hours ago Ryan Maye Handy Brent Powell
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Headwaters Economics at the 2026 Montana Rural Summit

Kris Smith is just back from 2026 Montana Rural Summit in Townsend where about 150 funders, elected officials, and service providers gathered to discuss the state of rural Montana. Kris and Dr. Julia Haggerty of Montana State University presented a draft of their State of Rural Montana report that drew extensive feedback and participation from attendees. Thank you MSU Extension for hosting!

1 month ago Kris Smith, Ph.D.
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Measuring outdoor recreation in Vermont

Headwaters Economics partnered with the State of Vermont to build an online dashboard that highlights the impacts of outdoor recreation across the state. The CORE Data Dashboard shows visitation patterns, spending profiles, and other research to help local leaders understand trends and direct investments.

1 month ago Megan Lawson, Ph.D.
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An updated Rural Capacity Index

Our Rural Capacity Index (RCI) just got a significant update. The tool measures how well communities are equipped to compete for funding and manage long-term infrastructure projects. New features include refined data, a search bar to find any community in the country, and state-level capacity ratings. The RCI is used by agencies, funders, and local leaders as they work to distribute resources and other assistance to places that need it most.

2 months ago Bill Daigle Tara Preston
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Thousands of structures are lost to wildfire

We have just updated our webpage that tracks the number of structures lost to wildfire in the United States. The latest figures show that wildfires have destroyed more than 132,400 homes, businesses, and other structures since 2005. Explore the data by state, most destructive fires, and more.

2 months ago Scott StoryTara Preston
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Data charts of outdoor recreation economy

The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

We have updated our webpage that tracks the size and growth of the outdoor recreation economy in every state with the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Explore charts and interactive graphics that show how much this $1.3 trillion sector contributes to each state’s GDP, job growth, and more.

3 months ago Scott StoryMegan Lawson, Ph.D.
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Panel at The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America event

The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America

Last week, Headwaters Economics Executive Director Patty Hernandez moderated the plenary panel at The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America: A Candid Expert Conversation, a convening hosted by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and Headwaters Economics.

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3 months ago Patricia Hernandez Brent Powell
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Headwaters Economics presented with Montana Floodplain Program Ambassador award

Patty was at the Association of Montana Floodplain Managers annual meeting yesterday in Great Falls where she accepted the Floodplain Program Ambassador award in recognition of the work Kris, Bridget, and the rest of the FloodWise team have done supporting Glendive and Dawson County, Three Forks, Musselshell County, Livingston, Petroleum County, and Montana DNRC. Thanks to Tracy Sears, the State Community Assistance Program Coordinator, for her heartfelt words about what the partnership has meant to Montana communities. We’re proud of this program! 

5 months ago Kris Smith, Ph.D.Bridget Mitchell, PE Patricia Hernandez

Closing out 2025

Everyone on the Headwaters Economics team was able to come together yesterday for our end-of-year celebration. Custom fanny packs (some of us called them “hip packs”) were gifted to all, but the real perk was reviewing all the research, briefings and outcomes for communities we were able to deliver this year. A great team = great results. We are ready to keep it up in 2026!

8 months ago
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Easily find data to compare rural and metro areas

Curious how your state’s rural and metropolitan areas compare? The Economic Profile System makes it easy. Search for your state, click “add more places” on the map, then choose “metro/rural portion.” You’ll get the latest data for both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan parts of your state. Visit EPS.

8 months ago