Great Falls
RANK #512 / 996 NAT · POP 84,423
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#512). Median household income is $61,351 and job growth is running at +0.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Cascade County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $227,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $866/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Cascade County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +4.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cascade County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.