RANK #223 / 996 · POP 84,423 · MT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%
Cascade County, Montana, is defined by the Missouri River and its dramatic Great Falls, which Lewis and Clark were forced to portage around in 1805. The county seat, Great Falls, is Montana's third-largest city and serves as a regional hub, located about 180 miles from Glacier National Park. Commuting within Great Falls is typically short, with over 80% of residents traveling to work in under 20 minutes. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including over 50 miles of trails along the Missouri River for biking and hiking, and access to Giant Springs State Park, one of the largest freshwater springs in the country. The county's landscape blends rolling plains with parts of the Rocky, Little Belt, and Highwood Mountains, providing diverse scenery and recreational opportunities like fishing, hunting, and skiing.
Life in Cascade County offers a blend of community and access to nature. The public school system includes districts like Great Falls Elementary and Cascade Public Schools. While population growth has been steady, the county has seen recent economic activity driven by investments in data centers and energy sectors. Malmstrom Air Force Base is a significant employer in the area. The average commute time is 16.5 minutes, with most residents driving alone, though public bus services are available in Great Falls.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Cardinal Data Center
TAC Data Centers
|
$600M | Planned |
|
Montana Wind Harness Project (multiple sites including Cascade County)
Ameresco Inc.
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Spion Kop Wind Farm
NorthWestern Energy (purchasing power)
|
$40M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cascade County has a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, ranking #223 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.6% and a median household income of $61,351, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Cascade County is $227,600 with median rent at $866/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2696, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.6%. Home values changed +4.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.75% of Cascade County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.