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Local Studies

Economic Impact of National Parks

September 2022

Millions of national park visitors generate economic opportunities for gateway communities, spending money that creates jobs and income. See the trends for every national park service unit.

Montana wildfire risk is widespread and growing

October 2020

The number of western Montana homes in areas with high wildfire hazard has doubled, outpacing development rates in areas with low wildfire hazard.

The Value of Montana’s Outdoors

September 2019

Montana’s outdoors attracts people and talent, creating jobs and a high quality of life. The outdoors is essential to the state’s future economic growth.

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.

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.

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.

Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomic Profiles

November 2018

Download socioeconomic reports for states and counties near Bureau of Land Management units.

Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

October 2018

Family hiking in Montana at sunset

A new report highlights the role of Montana’s outdoor recreation economy in spending, jobs, and economic diversification.

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.

Best Practices for Watersheds and Recreation

July 2018

Best practices for balancing the needs for clean drinking water, recreation, and economic development in municipal watersheds.

New Montana Homes Increase Wildfire Risks

June 2018

The number of western Montana homes in areas with high wildfire hazard has doubled, outpacing development rates in areas with low wildfire hazard.

Gallatin County’s Economy, Growth, and Open Space

April 2018

The Bridger Mountains with an agricultural field in the foreground, in Gallatin County, Montana.

This report summarizes Gallatin County’s economy, how it has grown, and what is driving its performance. The report also describes how growth threatens open space and the role these lands play in local quality of life.

Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

April 2018

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

Montana Losing Open Space

April 2018

From 1990 to 2018, the number of single-family homes in Montana grew by more than 50 percent, and the popularity of large lots converted 1.3 million acres of undeveloped land to housing.

Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data

April 2018

montana-home-construction-sortable-data

Review the different rates of home construction and loss of open space across Montana counties.

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.

Great Lakes Cities Vulnerability Assessment Tool

December 2017

Great Lakes Vulnerability Assessment Tool

Identify neighborhoods in six Great Lakes cities that meet socioeconomic vulnerability criteria.

Lessons from the Timber Transition

December 2017

Western counties once dependent on timber today perform similarly to like-sized counties. Three case studies outline economic lessons from counties that weathered the timber transition.

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.

Know Your Economy: Tools for Every Community

November 2017

Understanding your local economy and how it compares to peers is a crucial part of community and economic development.

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