Montana, often referred to as “Big Sky Country”, is a state of vast open spaces, expansive skies, and breathtaking natural landscapes.[1] Covering an area of 147,046 square miles (380,800 square kilometers), Montana is the fourth-largest state in the U.S. by area.[2] It is sparsely populated with a total population of around 1.13 million as of 2023.[3]
Montana’s economy is diverse and primarily based on agriculture, forestry, mining, and energy production, as well as services.[4] In 2021, Montana’s economy grew by an inflation-adjusted 6.7%, marking the sharpest rate growth in the state in more than 40 years.[5] The state’s total GDP was $59.3 billion in 2021.[5] Agriculture plays a significant role in Montana’s economy, with the state being a major producer of wheat and beef cattle.[6] The finance and real estate industry is the largest GDP contributor, with $11.2 billion in current dollars.[5] The professional and business services industry also contributed significantly to the overall gain in real GDP in 2021.[5]
Montana is also known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Some of the state’s most attractive features include Glacier National Park, the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Bighorn Canyon and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
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History of MontanaHistory of Montana
The first European exploration of the area that would become Montana was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 19th century.[7] The first permanent settlement by Euro-Americans was St. Mary’s, established in 1841 near present-day Stevensville.[8] The discovery of gold in the 1860s led to an influx of settlers.[9]
Montana was admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889, becoming the 41st state.[10] This followed the ratification of a state constitution and the fulfillment of conditions set by the U.S. Congress.[11] The state’s first constitution was in effect from statehood until 1972. In 1972, a constitutional convention was held, and a new constitution was adopted by the 100 delegates to the convention on March 22, 1972. The citizens of Montana ratified the document on June 6, 1972.[11]
Montana had little direct involvement in the American Civil War. At the time, it was divided between the Dakota Territory and the Washington Territory, and later became part of the Idaho Territory.[12] The Montana Territory was created in 1864, during the Civil War. However, there were Confederate sympathizers in the area, and some of Montana’s gold did end up supporting the Southern cause.[13]
The late 19th century in Montana was marked by the growth of the fur trade and the mining industry.[14][15] The arrival of the railroads in the 1880s was transformative for Montana’s economy, connecting the state to other regions and sparking rapid development in towns like Billings.[16]
In the 20th century Montana transitioned from a goods-based economy to a more service-based industry.[17] The state continued to be influenced by the railroads, which brought tourists and facilitated the transport of goods.[18] Agriculture, particularly wheat farming and cattle ranching, also played a significant role in Montana’s economy.[19] [20]
Demographics of MontanaDemographics of Montana
The demographic distribution of the Montana population is as follows:[21]
- White: 87.04%
- Native American: 6.07%
- Two or more races: 4.49%
- Other race: 0.94%
- Asian: 0.83%
- Black or African American: 0.58%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.05%
Most common surnames in MontanaMost common surnames in Montana
Researching family history in MontanaResearching family history in Montana
The National Archives at Denver has genealogically valuable records from Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The Montana Historical Society Library & State Archives houses both the Montana Historical Society Library and the Montana State Archives. The Montana State Genealogical Society issues First Families of Montana certificates to descendants of residents who arrived before statehood on 8 November 1889.
Montana county listMontana county list
Montana has 56 counties.
| Beaverhead | Big Horn | Blaine | Broadwater |
| Carbon | Carter | Cascade | Chouteau |
| Custer | Daniels | Dawson | Deer Lodge |
| Fallon | Fergus | Flathead | Gallatin |
| Garfield | Glacier | Golden Valley | Granite |
| Hill | Jefferson | Judith Basin | Lake |
| Lewis and Clark | Liberty | Lincoln | Madison |
| McCone | Meagher | Mineral | Missoula |
| Musselshell | Park | Petroleum | Phillps |
| Pondera | Powder River | Powell | Prairie |
| Ravalli | Richmond | Roosevelt | Rosebud |
| Sanders | Sheridan | Silver Bow | Stillwater |
| Sweet Grass | Teton | Toole | Treasure |
| Valley | Wheatland | Wibaux | Yellowstone |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about MontanaExplore more about Montana
MyHeritage.com has 15 collections of genealogically valuable records for Montana research, these include Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950, Western United States, Marriage Index, 1838-2016, Montana Deaths, Montana Newspapers, 1890-2009, and Montana, Marriages, 1889-1947. There are also many other important records in the Montana Collections Catalog.
References
- ↑ 11 Montana Nicknames and the History Behind Them
- ↑ 50 States in Square Miles from NETSTATE.COM
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Montana
- ↑ Montana - Mining, Agriculture, Tourism | Britannica
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Montana’s Economy 7th Strongest in Nation With Robust Growth in 2021
- ↑ Montana Top 10 Agricultural Commodities
- ↑ The Lewis and Clark Expedition - Discovering Montana
- ↑ Historic St. Mary's Mission
- ↑ What happened when gold was found in Montana?
- ↑ How Montana Became a State
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention
- ↑ How Montana became a state [Condensed history]
- ↑ Civil War shaped Montana and Bozeman
- ↑ Trails of the Past: Historical Overview of the Flathead National Forest, Montana, 1800-1960 (The Fur Trade)
- ↑ Montana Mines
- ↑ Montana Railroad History
- ↑ Economy
- ↑ How the railroads reached Montana - Connecting eras
- ↑ The History of Montana's Cattle Industry | Montana Kids
- ↑ Ranching in Montana: History Collections
- ↑ Montana Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in Montana, With Meanings