Montana continued to attract new residents in the year ending July 2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in May, but the pace of growth across the state’s major cities has slowed noticeably compared to the pandemic-era surge that reshaped the state earlier this decade.

The state gained 7,137 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, a modest increase over the 6,945 added the prior year. Both figures are a fraction of the 19,260 residents Montana attracted in a single year between 2020 and 2021, when the state became one of the country’s most prominent destinations for remote workers and lifestyle migrants.

City Growth Slows Across the Board

Incorporated cities and towns collectively added fewer than 3,800 new residents in the most recent period, down from roughly 4,300 the year before. That gap suggests a larger share of new arrivals are settling in unincorporated areas — a trend that carries implications for infrastructure planning, school funding, and county government capacity.

Kalispell, which had led all Montana cities in annual population gains every year since 2021, added 626 residents in the latest period — less than half the 1,125 it gained the prior year. Even so, the Flathead Valley city has grown by about 26 percent since 2020, adding nearly 6,600 residents over that span, a transformation that has driven up housing costs and strained city services.

Bozeman, long the emblem of Montana’s growth pressures, added 689 residents in the most recent year compared to 788 the year before. Its annual growth rate now sits at 1.2 percent. The city remains a focal point of debates over housing affordability, zoning reform, and infrastructure investment — topics that have repeatedly surfaced in state legislative discussions and local ballot contests.

Belgrade, just west of Bozeman in Gallatin County, continued its steady expansion, adding 312 residents in the latest period versus 284 the year before. The small city has grown by nearly 23 percent since 2020, reflecting broader growth pressure spreading outward from Bozeman into surrounding communities.

Missoula and Helena Accelerate; Billings Loses Ground

Not every major city saw its growth slow. Missoula added 718 residents in the most recent year, up from 557 the prior year, making it one of the few large cities in the state where momentum actually picked up. Helena also gained ground, adding 452 residents compared to 360 the previous year.

Billings, Montana’s largest city with more than 120,000 residents, posted a notable reversal. After gaining 686 residents between 2023 and 2024, Billings lost 206 residents in the most recent period. The shift makes Billings one of the few large Montana cities to record a net population decline, though the numbers remain small relative to its overall size.

Great Falls added 118 residents in the latest year after losing 230 the year before, suggesting some stabilization. Butte-Silver Bow gained 27 residents after losing 58 the prior year — a similarly modest but positive turn for a community that has faced long-term demographic challenges. Butte is also dealing with ongoing federal environmental disputes, including a recent EPA decision on lead cleanup standards that drew sharp criticism from residents.

What the Numbers Mean for Montana Policy

Even at a slower pace, consistent population growth carries real consequences for state and local governments. Rising headcounts drive demand for roads, water systems, schools, and emergency services — and in Montana, where property tax debates have grown increasingly heated, the politics of who pays for that growth remain unresolved.

The slowdown in city growth also comes as Montana faces compounding pressures. A severe drought has gripped roughly 85 percent of the state heading into wildfire season, adding strain to rural communities and agricultural regions already navigating economic uncertainty.

Population trends will factor into redistricting discussions and resource allocation decisions as the state looks ahead to the 2027 legislative session. The Census Bureau estimates used here reflect population as of July 1 of each measurement year.