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Trends & Performance

  • The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state. Read more

  • Montana Losing Open Space

    Montana Losing Open Space

    Patricia Hernandez

    From 2000 to 2021, the number of single-family homes in Montana grew by more than 42 percent, and the popularity of large lots converted 1 million acres of undeveloped land to housing. Read more

  • The Value of Montana’s Outdoors

    The Value of Montana’s Outdoors

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    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. Read more

  • Funding Needs for Montana’s Outdoor Heritage

    Funding Needs for Montana’s Outdoor Heritage

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

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

  • High County GDP No Guarantee of Growth

    High County GDP No Guarantee of Growth

    Patricia Hernandez

    High worker productivity occurs across diverse counties and sectors but is not always connected with population growth and opportunity. Read more

  • How Outdoor Recreation Supports Rural Economic Development

    How Outdoor Recreation Supports Rural Economic Development

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

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

  • Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes

    Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

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

  • Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

    Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

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

  • Populations at Risk

    Populations at Risk

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    Populations at Risk quickly and easily generates and downloads reports about populations more likely to experience adverse social, health, or economic outcomes. Read more

  • Gallatin County’s Economy, Growth, and Open Space

    Gallatin County’s Economy, Growth, and Open Space

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    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. Read more

  • Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data

    Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data

    Patricia Hernandez

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

  • Lessons from the Timber Transition

    Lessons from the Timber Transition

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    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. Read more

  • Youth Migration in the West

    Youth Migration in the West

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

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

  • Which Counties Saw Significant Changes in Poverty Rates?

    Which Counties Saw Significant Changes in Poverty Rates?

    Scott Story

    While national poverty rates dropped in the last year, the county-level picture is mixed. Read more

  • Know Your Economy: Tools for Every Community

    Know Your Economy: Tools for Every Community

    Chris Mehl

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

  • Strengthening Rural Communities (slides)

    Strengthening Rural Communities (slides)

    Chris Mehl

    Slide show: A theory of economic development in the rural West. Read more

  • The Growth of Hispanic Populations Across the West

    The Growth of Hispanic Populations Across the West

    Kelly Pohl

    Hispanics account for roughly one in four westerners and one in six rural westerners. Read more

  • Which Counties Are Most Reliant on Medicaid?

    Which Counties Are Most Reliant on Medicaid?

    Patricia Hernandez

    National interactive map and charts show Medicaid-dependent counties and populations at risk. Read more

  • Montana’s Economy, Public Lands, and Competitive Advantage

    Montana’s Economy, Public Lands, and Competitive Advantage

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    This report summarizes Montana’s economy analyzing recent growth and what is driving its performance, including a description of how federal lands help attract people, investment, and businesses. Read more

  • Minority Populations Driving County Growth in the Rural West

    Minority Populations Driving County Growth in the Rural West

    Kelly Pohl

    Minority populations are growing in nearly all rural western counties, helping booming communities expand and slowing the decline in counties that otherwise would have lost people. Read more

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