RANK #662 / 996 · POP 165,524 · MT
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Yellowstone County, Montana, is defined by the Yellowstone River, which carves through its landscape, offering both natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Located in south-central Montana, the county seat, Billings, is the state's largest city and serves as a regional hub. Commuting within Billings is primarily car-centric, though a public bus system, MET Transit, serves the city core. The area provides access to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding, with destinations such as Four Dances Recreation Area near Billings and various access points to the Yellowstone River.
Life in Yellowstone County blends urban amenities with a suburban feel. The economy is diverse, with healthcare and social assistance being the largest employment sector, followed by retail trade and accommodation and food services. Major employers include Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Health Care. The county has seen recent economic growth, with investments flowing into sectors like healthcare and energy. Public schools in Yellowstone County are generally above average, and the average commute time for residents is under 20 minutes.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Big Sky Campus Data Center
Quantica Infrastructure (Big Sky Digital Infrastructure)
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Yellowstone County Generating Station (Natural Gas Plant)
NorthWestern Energy
|
$310M | Operating |
|
MTSUN Solar Farm
Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation
|
$80M | Operating |
|
Beartooth Energy Storage Project
Beartooth Energy Storage, LLC (esVolta, LP)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Yellowstone County has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #662 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $72,300, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Yellowstone County is $289,300 with median rent at $1,055/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2499, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.03% of Yellowstone County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.