Population:

44th largest U.S. State by population, with 967,440 people (2008 estimate).
4th largest state in the country by area, at 147,165 square miles.

Largest city: Billings

Median income:$46,867 (2008 estimate)

Climate:
Yearly rainfall: 33.9 inches per year
Yearly snowfall: 29.4 inches per year in Glasgow; 64.9 inches per year in Missoula
Temperatures (High/Low) in capital city of Helena:
January, 39/18; July, 89/66

Foreclosures:
Foreclosure activity for 2009 increased in Montana over the prior year. There was a total of 1,373 properties with filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 317 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is about one third of one percent of the state’s housing units.

Those figures represent a 10 percent increase over 2008 and a 19 percent increase over 2007.

In 2008 there were about 19,900 existing homes (including condos, co-ops, and single-family homes but excluding new homes) sold in Montana, compared to about 24,100 sold in 2007.

Economy:
Montana's biggest employers are government and the retail and service industries. The state also makes a relatively large amount of money every year on tourism, with attractions like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Montana derives nearly eight percent of its economic activity from agriculture, making it one of the most agrarian state economies in the United States. Among the state's biggest crops are wheat, barley, beets, potatoes, honey and livestock. Montana also depends on other natural resources like mining and lumber.

Noteworthy:
One of the most famous military events in American history, the Battle of Little Bighorn, took place near Crow Agency, Montana. Today, thousands visit a national monument at the site of the battle every year.