Montana, a landlocked state in the Western US, is the fourth largest by area but sparsely populated. It shares borders with Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Helena serves as its capital, while Billings holds the title of the most populous city. Montana's landscape is diverse, featuring towering mountain ranges in the west and vast prairies, badlands, and smaller mountain ranges in the east.
1900: Decline of the Chinese Population
By 1900, due to increasing negative public sentiment towards the Chinese in the 1890s, almost half of Montana's Asian population had left the state.
1900: Rising Temperatures in Montana
Since 1900, the average temperature in Montana has risen almost 2.5Ā Ā°F (1.3Ā Ā°C) at a rate higher than the continental U.S. average.
1902: Mary MacLane's "The Story of Mary MacLane"
In 1902, pioneering feminist author, filmmaker, and media personality Mary MacLane gained international recognition for her memoir, "The Story of Mary MacLane," which chronicled three months of her life in Butte, Montana.
1902: Reclamation Act
The Reclamation Act, passed in 1902, enabled the building of irrigation projects in Montana's eastern river valleys.
1907: Charles Nelson Pray begins House service
In 1907, Charles Nelson Pray began his service in the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana, serving until 1913.
1909: Enlarged Homestead Act
In 1909, Congress passed the Enlarged Homestead Act, increasing the amount of free land available to homesteaders from 160 to 320 acres per family.
1909: Judicial elections become nonpartisan
In 1909, Montana shifted its judicial elections to a nonpartisan format, ending the practice of partisan elections for judicial offices.
1910: Homestead Claims Filed
By 1910, homesteaders had filed claims on over five million acres of land in Montana.
1910: Census leads to reapportionment
The 1910 census led to the reapportionment that resulted in Montana receiving a second representative in the U.S. House.
1911: Nonpartisan law struck down
In 1911, the Montana Supreme Court struck down the nonpartisan election law on technical grounds.
1912: Enlarged Homestead Act Amendment
In 1912, the Enlarged Homestead Act was amended to reduce the time required to "prove up" on a claim to three years.
1913: Charles Nelson Pray's service ends
In 1913, Charles Nelson Pray's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana ended.
1913: Montana gains second House representative
In 1913, Montana gained a second representative in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 1910 census and reapportionment.
1913: Thomas J. Walsh begins Senate service
In 1913, Thomas J. Walsh began his service as a U.S. senator from Montana, a tenure that lasted until 1933.
1914: Women's Suffrage in Montana
In 1914, Montana granted women the right to vote.
1916: Jeannette Rankin elected to U.S. House
In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman in the United States to hold national office by being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana.
1916: First Woman Elected to Congress
Jeannette Rankin, a Progressive Republican from Montana, became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916.
1916: Establishment of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
The Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, located near Box Elder, was established in 1916 for the Chippewa-Cree tribe.
1916: Stock-Raising Homestead Act
The Stock-Raising Homestead Act, passed in 1916, made homesteads of 640 acres available in areas unsuitable for irrigation.
June 1917: Espionage Act
In June 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Espionage Act, which aimed to criminalize criticism of the U.S. government during wartime.
June 1917: Speculator Mine Disaster
The Speculator Mine disaster occurred in June 1917, leading to increased labor unrest and the arrival of IWW organizer Frank Little in Butte.
August 1, 1917: Frank Little Lynching
On August 1, 1917, Frank Little, an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World, was lynched by masked vigilantes in Butte, sparking strikes and the deployment of the National Guard.
1917: Beginning of Droughts
Beginning in 1917, Montana experienced a period of devastating droughts that lasted until 1921.
1917: Previous Vote Against War
Jeannette Rankin had previously voted against the United States' declaration of war in 1917.
1917: Peak of Homestead Filings
From 1917 to 1918, homestead filings in Montana reached their peak, with the Great Falls land office receiving 14,000 new homestead applications annually.
1917: Montana in World War I
From 1917 to 1918, approximately 40,000 Montanans, representing about 10% of the state's population, volunteered or were drafted into the armed forces for World War I.
February 1918: Montana Sedition Act
The Montana Sedition Act, passed in February 1918, was modeled after the federal Espionage Act and further restricted freedom of speech.
1918: End of Peak Homestead Filings
The peak of homestead filings, which lasted from 1917 to 1918, came to an end.
1918: End of World War I
The year 1918 marked the end of World War I, during which around 1,500 Montanans died and 2,437 were wounded.
1918: Montana's Agony
The year 1918, marked by the suppression of civil liberties under the Montana Sedition Act, the impeachment of a district court judge, and the tragic impact of the influenza epidemic, is often referred to as "Montana's Agony."
1919: Increase in Supreme Court Justices
The number of justices on the Montana Supreme Court was increased to five in 1919.
1919: District elections for House members
In 1919, Montana moved to district elections for its two House members, creating the 1st and 2nd congressional districts.
1919: Drop in Homestead Filings
Following the drought in 1919, there was a significant decrease in homestead filings in Montana.
1921: End of Droughts
The droughts that began in 1917 came to an end in 1921, having devastated many farmers and leading to bank closures.
1923: Acres Farmed in Montana
By 1923, over 93 million acres of land were being farmed in Montana.
1923: Burton K. Wheeler starts Senate service
In 1923, Burton K. Wheeler began his service as a U.S. senator from Montana, serving until 1947.
1933: Thomas J. Walsh's tenure ends
In 1933, Thomas J. Walsh's service as a U.S. senator from Montana ended upon his death.
1934: Indian Reorganization Act
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 contributed to the establishment of seven Indian reservations in Montana.
1935: New nonpartisan judicial election law enacted
In 1935, a new law was enacted in Montana to bar political parties from endorsing, making contributions to, or making expenditures on behalf of or against judicial candidates.
July 5, 1937: Highest Recorded Temperature
The highest observed summer temperature in Montana was 117Ā Ā°F or 47.2Ā Ā°C at Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937.
1940: Jeannette Rankin's Election
In 1940, Jeannette Rankin was elected to Congress again.
December 8, 1941: United States Enters World War II
On December 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II, leading many Montanans to enlist in the military.
1941: Vote Against War
In 1941, Jeannette Rankin voted against the United States' declaration of war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This was the only vote against the war.
1942: Camp Rimini Established
The U.S. Army established Camp Rimini near Helena in 1942 for training sled dogs in winter weather.
1947: Burton K. Wheeler's service ends
In 1947, Burton K. Wheeler's tenure as a U.S. senator from Montana came to an end.
1947: Military Air Transport Service in Montana
Montana became host to the U.S. Air Force Military Air Transport Service in 1947 for airlift training.
1948: Last Democratic U.S. Senator before shift
In 1948, Montana elected its last Democratic U.S. Senator before the political shift in 1988.
1952: Republican presidential support
Since 1952, Montana has consistently voted for the Republican nominee in nearly all presidential elections, with only two exceptions.
1953: Strategic Air Command at Malmstrom AFB
In 1953, Strategic Air Command air and missile forces were based at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. The base also hosted the 29th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Air Defense Command from 1953 to 1968.
January 20, 1954: Record Low Temperature
On January 20, 1954, ā70Ā Ā°F or ā56.7Ā Ā°C was recorded at a gold mining camp near Rogers Pass. This is the coldest temperature on record for Montana and the contiguous United States.
December 1959: Malmstrom AFB Chosen for Minuteman Missiles
In December 1959, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls was selected as the home of the new Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile.
1959: Lee Enterprises Acquires Montana Newspapers
In 1959, Lee Enterprises acquired several Montana newspapers, changing the media landscape from a time when each copper company had its own newspaper during the age of the Copper Kings.
1961: James F. Battin begins House service
In 1961, James F. Battin began his service in the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana, serving until 1969.
1961: Lee Metcalf starts Senate service
In 1961, Lee Metcalf began his service as a U.S. senator from Montana, serving until 1978.
1962: Minuteman Missiles Operational, Cuban Missile Crisis
The first operational Minuteman missiles were in place in early 1962. In late 1962, missiles assigned to the 341st Strategic Missile Wing played a major role in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1964: Last Democratic governor before shift
In 1964, Montana elected its last Democratic governor before the political shift in 1988.
1964: Wilderness Act
The National Wilderness Preservation System was established by the Wilderness Act of 1964.
1968: Democratic dominance in Montana
From 1968 through 1988, Montana was dominated by the Democratic Party, with Democratic governors and a Democratic majority in both the national congressional delegation and many sessions of the state legislature.
1968: End of 29th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
The 29th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Air Defense Command, at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls was discontinued in 1968.
1969: James F. Battin's service ends
In 1969, James F. Battin's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana ended.
1971: Montana Voters Approve Constitutional Convention
Montana voters approved the call for a state constitutional convention in 1971.
January 15, 1972: Extreme Temperature Change
Loma, Montana, experienced the most extreme recorded temperature change in a 24-hour period in the United States on January 15, 1972. The temperature rose from ā54 to 49Ā Ā°F (ā47.8 to 9.4Ā Ā°C); a 103Ā Ā°F (49.4Ā Ā°C) degree difference.
June 20, 1972: Ratification of Montana's New Constitution
On June 20, 1972, Montana's new constitution, drafted by a constitutional convention, was ratified after a narrow vote of 116,415 to 113,883.
1972: Amendments to the 1972 Constitution
As of 2015, the 1972 constitution has been amended 31 times since its ratification.
1972: Montana Voters Amended the 1889 Constitution
Between 1889 and 1972, Montana voters amended the 1889 constitution 37 times.
1972: Changes to Supreme Court under the 1972 Constitution
The 1972 constitution extended the term of office for Supreme Court justices to eight years and set the minimum number of justices at five.
1972: Constitutional Convention Review Requirement
The 1972 constitution mandates that voters decide every 20 years whether to hold a new constitutional convention.
1973: Montana Water Use Act
The Montana Water Court adjudicates water rights claims under the Montana Water Use Act of 1973.
1974: Establishment of Montana Youth Courts
The Montana Youth Court Act of 1974 led to the establishment of Youth Courts across the state, overseen by District Court judges.
1974: Major Amendments to the 1972 Constitution
Major amendments were made to the 1972 Constitution in 1974, including the establishment of a reclamation trust for restoring mined land, restoration of sovereign immunity under specific conditions, establishment of a 90-day biennial legislative session, and establishment of a coal tax trust fund.
1974: Montana's Severance Tax on Coal
In 1974, Montana implemented a state severance tax on coal, ranging from 20% to 30%.
1975: Establishment of Montana Worker's Compensation Court
The Montana Worker's Compensation Court was established in 1975 through the Montana Workers' Compensation Act.
1976: Establishment of Coal Tax Trust Fund
A coal tax trust fund, funded by a tax on coal extraction, was established in 1976 through an amendment to the 1972 Constitution.
1976: Missouri River Designated as Wild and Scenic
The stretch of the Missouri River between Fort Benton and the Fred Robinson Bridge was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1976.
1978: Decennial Review of County Government Made Voluntary
An amendment in 1978 changed the mandatory decennial review of county government to a voluntary one, subject to approval by residents of each county.
1978: Max Baucus begins Senate service
In 1978, Max Baucus began his long tenure as a U.S. senator from Montana, which lasted until 2014.
1978: Paul G. Hatfield serves as U.S. Senator
In 1978, Paul G. Hatfield served as an appointed U.S. Senator from Montana.
1979: Establishment of Montana Water Court
The Montana Water Court was established in 1979 by the Montana Water Court Act.
1979: Legislature Increases Supreme Court Justices
The Montana Legislature exercised its power in 1979 to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court by two, as permitted by the 1972 constitution.
1980: Native American Population Growth
Between 1980 and 1990, Montana's Native American population grew by 27.9%, while the state's overall population rose by only 1.6%.
1981: Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Montana
In 1981, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld Montana's 1974 severance tax on coal in the case of Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Montana (453 U.S. 609).
1985: Montana's Resort Tax Implementation
In 1985, the Montana Legislature passed a law allowing towns with populations under 5,500 and unincorporated communities with fewer than 2,500 residents to implement a resort tax if tourism constituted over half of their income. The tax applied to lodging, restaurants, alcohol-serving establishments, and recreational facilities.
1988: Public Assistance No Longer a Mandatory Civil Right
In 1988, a constitutional amendment changed the provision of public assistance from a mandatory civil right to a non-fundamental legislative prerogative.
1988: Republican shift in Montana politics
In 1988, Montana elected a Republican governor for the first time since 1964 and sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1948, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape.
1990: Tribal Diversity in Montana
The 1990 census data revealed that people from as many as 275 different tribes resided in Montana.
1990: Voters Reject New Constitutional Convention
In 1990, voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal for a new constitutional convention, with 84 percent voting against it.
1990: Native American Population Growth (continued)
Following the growth between 1980 and 1990, the Native American population continued to rise, increasing by 18.5 percent between 2000 and 2010.
1990: Montana loses a House seat
Following the 1990 census reapportionment, Montana lost one of its House seats and reverted to a single at-large district.
1990: Montana loses a House seat
Following the 1990 census reapportionment, Montana lost one of its House seats and reverted to a single at-large district.
1992: Bill Clinton wins Montana
In 1992, Bill Clinton became the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Montana, securing a plurality victory.
1992: "A River Runs Through It" Film Release
Robert Redford's 1992 film adaptation of Norman Maclean's novel, "A River Runs Through It," shot in Montana, brought national attention to fly fishing and the state.
1992: Term Limits for Elected Officials
Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992 that implemented term limits for certain statewide elected executive branch offices and members of the Montana Legislature.
1994: Republican control of state legislature
In 1994, the reapportionment of Montana's legislative districts led to the Republican Party taking control of both chambers of the state legislature, consolidating their dominance until 2004.
1996: Republican control of congressional seats
Since 1996, Montana's congressional seats, which are now two districts but were one at-large district until 2023, have been held by Republicans.
1999: Indian Education for All Act
The Indian Education for All Act, passed in 1999, provided funding and ensured the implementation of Montana's constitutional mandate to teach American Indian history, culture, and heritage in schools from preschool to college.
2000: Native American Population Growth (reference)
The Native American population in Montana grew by 18.5% between 2000 and 2010.
2000: Language Spoken at Home
The 2000 census revealed that 94.8% of Montana's population aged five and older spoke English at home.
2002: Six-Man Football in Montana High Schools
In 2002, the independent film "The Slaughter Rule" depicted six-man football teams, which Montana allows for its smallest high schools ("Class C").
2004: Split party control in state legislature
From 2004 to 2010, the two chambers of Montana's state legislature experienced split party control.
2004: New Constitutional Rights and Prohibition
In 2004, amendments to the Montana Constitution introduced a new constitutional right to hunt and fish, but also included a prohibition on gay marriage.
2004: Lawsuit over Funding
Montana faced a lawsuit in 2004 due to inadequate funding for the Indian Education for All program, prompting the state to increase its financial support.
2004: Swing districts lead to Democratic majorities
The 2004 reapportionment in Montana produced more swing districts, leading to a brief period of Democratic majorities in the state legislature in the mid-2000s.
2005: Brian Morris joins Montana Supreme Court
In 2005, Brian Morris began his service as an associate justice on the Montana Supreme Court, serving until 2013.
May 2006: Pardons for Sedition Act Convictions
In May 2006, Governor Brian Schweitzer granted posthumous pardons to all those convicted under the Montana Sedition Act.
2006: Political shift in federal offices
Between 1988 and 2006, Montana voters increasingly elected conservatives to federal offices, reversing the previous mid-20th century trend of sending liberals to Washington.
July 2007: Hottest Month on Record
Many Montana cities set heat records during July 2007, the hottest month ever recorded in Montana.
August 2007: Request for USS Montana
In August 2007, Senator Jon Tester requested that a submarine be christened USS Montana.
2007: South Dakota's Similar Legislation
Following Montana's lead, South Dakota passed similar legislation in 2007, mandating the teaching of American Indian history and culture in schools. Wisconsin also began working to enhance its program based on Montana's model.
2008: Montana as a swing state
In the 2008 presidential election, Montana was considered a swing state and was narrowly won by Republican John McCain by a margin of two percent.
2009: Urban Native American Population
By 2009, nearly two-thirds of Montana's Native American population resided in urban areas.
2009: Languages Spoken at Home in Montana
In 2009, the United States Department of Education estimated that 5,274 students in Montana spoke a language other than English at home. The most common languages were Native American languages (64%), German (4%), and Spanish (3%).
2010: 2010 US Census
The 2010 US Census ranked the "big seven" communities in Montana in terms of population as Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Kalispell.
2010: Dakota Speakers in Montana
In 2010, Montana had about 700 Dakota speakers, out of a total of approximately 17,800 speakers in the US.
2010: Republican control of state legislature
In 2010, the mid-term elections decisively returned both branches of Montana's state legislature to Republican control.
2010: Largest Christian Denominations in Montana (2010)
In 2010, the largest Christian denominations in Montana were the Catholic Church (127,612 adherents), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (46,484 adherents), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (38,665 adherents), and non-denominational evangelical Protestants (27,370 adherents).
2010: Urban Native American Demographics
In 2010, the Montana cities with the largest percentages of Native American residents were Polson (15.7%), Havre (13.0%), Great Falls (5.0%), Billings (4.4%), and Anaconda (3.1%). Billings had the highest number of Native American residents (4,619), followed by Great Falls (2,942), Missoula (1,838), Havre (1,210), and Polson (706).
2010: Media Market Rankings in Montana
In 2010, Nielsen Media Research ranked Missoula as the 166th largest media market in the United States, followed by Billings (170th), Great Falls (190th), Butte/Bozeman (191st), and Helena (206th).
2010: Population Growth
During the 2010s, growth was mainly concentrated in Montana's seven largest counties, with the highest percentage growth in Gallatin County (32.9% increase). The city with the largest percentage growth was Kalispell (40.1%), and the city with the largest increase in residents was Billings (12,946 increase).
2010: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passage
In 2010, Max Baucus played a key role in shepherding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through the U.S. Senate.
2010: Voters Reject New Constitutional Convention
In 2010, 58.6 percent of voters rejected the proposal to hold a new constitutional convention.
2010: Population growth but no new seat
Despite Montana's population growing at about the national average during the 2000s, the state failed to regain its second House seat in the 2010 reapportionment.
2010: European Ancestry Groups
As of 2010, the largest European ancestry groups in Montana were: German (27.0%), Irish (14.8%), English (12.6%), Norwegian (10.9%), French (4.7%), and Italian (3.4%).
2010: Prohibition on New Real Property Taxes
An amendment in 2010 prohibited new taxes on the sale or transfer of real property.
2010: Native American Population
According to the 2010 census, Montana ranked 19th in the US for its Native American population, who comprised 6.5% of the state's population, marking the sixth-highest percentage nationwide. Of the state's 56 counties, Native Americans were a majority in three: Big Horn, Glacier, and Roosevelt.
December 2011: Population Milestone
Montana's population hit the one million mark sometime between November and December 2011.
2011: Montana's Microbrewing Industry
In 2011, Montana ranked third in the nation for the number of craft breweries per capita, establishing itself as a hub for beer microbrewing.
2011: Spanish Speakers in Montana
In 2011, Spanish was the second most commonly spoken language at home in Montana, with approximately 13,040 Spanish speakers, representing 1.4% of the state's population.
January 3, 2012: Population Estimate
On January 3, 2012, the Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) estimated that Montana's population had reached one million between November and December 2011.
2012: U.S. Supreme Court decision on nonpartisan election law
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Montana's judicial nonpartisan election law in the case American Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Bullock.
August 2013: Radio Stations in Montana
As of August 2013, there were 527 FCC-licensed FM radio stations and 114 AM stations broadcasting in Montana.
2013: Languages Spoken in Montana
As of 2013, various languages were spoken in Montana, including Assiniboine (around 150 speakers), Blackfoot (around 100 speakers), Cheyenne (around 1,700 speakers), Plains Cree (around 100 speakers), Crow (around 3,000 speakers), and German Hutterite (around 5,600 speakers).
2013: Population Statistics
Based on 2013 census numbers, the "big seven" communities, contained 35 percent of Montana's population, and the counties in which they are located were home to 62 percent of the state's population.
2013: Billings Clinic Recognized for Safety
In 2013, AARP The Magazine named the Billings Clinic, one of Montana's Trauma II hospitals, as one of the safest hospitals in the United States.
2013: Brian Morris becomes U.S. District Judge
In 2013, Brian Morris transitioned from the Montana Supreme Court to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
2013: Busiest Airport in Montana
In the spring of 2013, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport became the busiest airport in Montana, surpassing Billings Logan International Airport.
2014: Record spending on state supreme court races
In 2014, spending on Montana's state supreme court races reached a record $1.6 million.
2014: Religious Affiliations in Montana (2014)
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2014, Christianity was the predominant religion in Montana, with 65% of the adult population identifying as Christian.
2014: Irreligious Population in Montana (2014)
In 2014, 30% of Montana's population identified as irreligious.
2014: Max Baucus's tenure ends
In 2014, Max Baucus's service as a U.S. senator from Montana ended, marking him as the state's longest-serving senator.
2014: Steve Daines elected to Senate
In 2014, Republican Steve Daines was elected to Montana's Class 2 U.S. Senate seat.
2014: Steve Daines elected U.S. Senator
In 2014, Republican Steve Daines was first elected as a U.S. senator representing Montana.
2014: Montana's Obesity Ranking
In 2014, based on the Gallup Poll, Montana was ranked as the least obese state in the U.S., with an obesity rate of 19.6%.
September 3, 2015: USS Montana Announcement
On September 3, 2015, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that Virginia Class attack submarine SSN-794 would be named USS Montana.
2015: Military Veteran Population
In 2015, Montana had the second-highest percentage of US military veterans among its population, with about 12% of its adult population being veterans, second only to Alaska with roughly 14%.
2015: Amendments to the 1972 Constitution
By 2015, the 1972 constitution had been amended 31 times since its ratification.
2016: Expanded Rights for Crime Victims
Extensive new constitutional rights for victims of crime were approved in 2016.
2016: New spending record on state supreme court races
In 2016, spending on Montana's state supreme court races exceeded $1.6 million, breaking the previous record set in 2014.
2017: Economic Impact of Fishing Tourism in Montana
In 2017, non-resident visitors to Montana generated $4.7 billion in economic output, with $1.3 billion attributed to guided fishing experiences, demonstrating the significant role of fishing in Montana's tourism industry.
2018: Jon Tester reelected
In 2018, Jon Tester, a Democrat, was reelected as one of Montana's U.S. senators.
2018: Tourism and the Resort Tax in Montana
In 2018, approximately 12.2 million non-residents visited Montana, while the state's population was estimated at 1.06 million. The significant disparity between residents paying taxes and non-residents utilizing state-funded services and infrastructure highlighted the importance of Montana's resort tax in maintaining roads, highways, and state parks.
2019: Tourism in Montana
By 2019, tourism in Montana was booming, with 12.6 million tourists visiting the state.
2020: Steve Daines reelected
In 2020, Steve Daines, a Republican, was reelected as a U.S. senator for Montana.
2020: 2020 Census
The 2020 census reported Montana's population as 1,084,225.
2020: Montana regains House seat
In the reapportionment following the 2020 census, Montana regained a second House seat, increasing its representation in the U.S. House to two members starting in 2023.
2020: Montana regains House seat
In the reapportionment following the 2020 census, Montana regained a second House seat, increasing its representation in the U.S. House to two members starting in 2023.
2020: Ease of voting study
In a 2020 study, Montana was ranked as the 21st easiest state for citizens to vote in.
2020: Irreligious Population in Montana (2020)
A separate study in 2020 found that 34% of Montana's population was irreligious.
2020: Suicide Rate in Montana
In 2020, Montana recorded a suicide rate of 26.1 per 100,000 residents, the third-highest among U.S. states. High suicide rates are a common issue in sparsely populated states.
2020: Election of Greg Gianforte as Governor
Greg Gianforte, a Republican, was elected as the Governor of Montana in 2020.
2020: Largest Christian Denominations in Montana (2020)
By 2020, the largest Christian denominations in Montana by adherents were the Catholic Church (112,389), non-denominational Protestantism (54,540), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (50,552).
2020: Racial Demographics
According to the 2020 census, Montana's racial demographics were: 88.9% White (87.8% non-Hispanic White), 6.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.1% Hispanics and Latinos, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and 2.8% from two or more races.
2020: Religious Affiliations in Montana (2020)
The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) conducted a study in 2020 that found 57% of Montana's adult population identified as Christian.
2020: Recognition of Little Shell Tribe
The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Great Falls gained federal recognition in 2020, becoming the 12th federally recognized tribe in Montana.
AugustĀ 2021: Montana's Unemployment Rate
As of August 2021, Montana's unemployment rate was 3.5%.
2021: Republican control of state legislature
As of 2021, the Montana Senate is controlled by Republicans with a 31 to 19 majority, and the House of Representatives is 67 to 33 in favor of Republicans.
2022: Non-Christian Religious Affiliations in Montana (2022)
According to the PRRI study in 2022, among Montana's non-Christian population, 32% identified as unaffiliated, 2% followed New Age spirituality, 1% were Jewish, 1% were Buddhist, and 2% adhered to other faiths.
2022: Religious Affiliations in Montana (2022)
By 2022, the PRRI survey indicated a growth in Christianity in Montana, with 62% of the population identifying as Christian, including 43% Protestant, 17% Catholic, and 2% Restorationist.
2022: Homeless Population Report
HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report estimated that there were 1,585 homeless people in Montana.
2022: Public Religion Research Institute's American Values Survey
In 2022, the Public Religion Research Institute conducted the American Values Survey, gathering data on religious self-identification in Montana.
2022: Montana's Gross Domestic Product and Per Capita Income
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated Montana's Gross Domestic Product at $67.072 billion, ranking it 47th in the nation. The state's per capita personal income was $60,984, placing it 28th in the nation.
May 2023: Montana Bans TikTok and Temu
Montana became the first U.S. state to ban the social media app TikTok and the online marketplace Temu in May 2023.
July 1, 2023: Population Increase
On July 1, 2023, the United States Census Bureau stated that Montana's population was 1,132,812, a 4.5% increase since the 2020 census.
2023: Montana's House representation increases
Starting in 2023, Montana's representation in the U.S. House increased to two seats after a thirty-year period with only one representative.
2023: Montana's House representation increases
Starting in 2023, Montana's representation in the U.S. House increased to two seats after a thirty-year period with only one representative.