Montana 2014
The capital city of Montana is Helena, located in the southwestern region of the state. The city is known for its historic architecture, with a few buildings dating back to the late 19th century. Helena has a population of around 30,000 people and is home to several government offices as well as the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology. According to countryaah.com, the largest city in Montana is Billings, located in the south-central region near the Wyoming border. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the state with a population of 110,000 people. Billings offers plenty to do and see, such as visiting ZooMontana or strolling through historic downtown. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to partake in such as hiking or skiing at nearby resorts like Red Lodge Mountain Resort.
Politics of Montana in 2014
In 2014, Montana politics were dominated by the gubernatorial election between Democrat Steve Bullock and Republican Rick Hill. The election was seen as a competitive race and both candidates ran on platforms of fiscal responsibility and job creation. Bullock, who was the incumbent, focused on his record of creating jobs, improving education, and promoting renewable energy sources. Hill ran on a platform of cutting taxes to spur economic growth. He also promised to reduce government spending by eliminating waste and inefficiencies.
The race was close but Bullock won with 50% of the vote to Hill’s 46%. This marked the first time since 2004 that a Democrat had won the state’s gubernatorial election. Following this victory, Bullock worked closely with legislators from both sides of the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation such as Medicaid expansion and an increase in teacher salaries. He also continued to promote renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power while opposing coal development in Montana’s wilderness areas.
The 2014 election also saw Republicans maintain control over Montana’s congressional delegation with Steve Daines maintaining his seat in the U.S Senate while Ryan Zinke kept his seat in the House of Representatives. Both Daines and Zinke ran on platforms of fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention while opposing President Obama’s initiatives such as Obamacare.
In addition to these races, Montanans voted overwhelmingly for ballot initiatives related to gun rights and marijuana legalization. Voters approved an initiative allowing individuals who could legally own firearms to carry their weapons concealed without a permit while rejecting an initiative that would have legalized recreational marijuana use in Montana.
Population of Montana in 2014
In 2014, according to beautyphoon, the population of Montana was estimated to be 1,023,579 people. The state was primarily rural with 87% of the population living outside of metropolitan areas. The largest city in Montana is Billings with a population of 109,059 people. Other major cities include Missoula (71,022), Great Falls (58,505), Bozeman (37,280) and Butte-Silver Bow (34,200).
The majority of the population in Montana is white (90%) with Native American being the second largest ethnic group at 6%. Other races account for 4% of the population including African American (1%), Asian American (1%), and Hispanic or Latino (2%).
In terms of age distribution, most Montanans are between 25-54 years old making up 37% of the state’s population. Those aged 65 and older make up 15% while those aged 0-17 make up 19%. The median age in Montana is 38 years old.
Montana has a higher percentage of veterans than the national average with 8% compared to 5%. In terms of education attainment, 88% have at least a high school diploma while 28% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income is $48,411 which is slightly lower than the national median household income of $53,482.
Economy of Montana in 2014
In 2014, according to ablogtophone, the economy of Montana was largely based on agriculture, mining, and tourism. Agriculture is the largest industry in Montana, accounting for 17% of the state’s total economy. The main crops grown in Montana include wheat, barley, hay, sugar beets, potatoes, and dry beans. Livestock production is also an important part of the agricultural sector with cows and calves being the primary livestock raised in the state.
Mining is also a major contributor to the economy of Montana with minerals such as gold, silver, copper and coal being extracted from various parts of the state. Mining accounts for 8% of Montana’s total economic output and employs thousands of people throughout the state.
Tourism is another major industry in Montana with visitors spending over $3 billion dollars in 2014 alone. Tourists are drawn to Montana for its natural beauty including Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park as well as its many ski resorts and other outdoor activities such as fly-fishing and hunting.
Montana’s unemployment rate was 4.4% in 2014 which was lower than the national average at that time which was 6%. The median household income was $48,411 which was slightly lower than the national median household income of $53,482 at that time.
Overall, Montana has a strong economy that is largely based on agriculture, mining and tourism industries. The state’s unemployment rate has been consistently lower than the national average while median household incomes remain slightly below average compared to other states across the country.
Events Held in Montana in 2014
In 2014, Montana hosted a variety of events throughout the year. These events ranged from music festivals to rodeos and more.
The Big Sky Country State Fair is an annual event held in Great Falls, Montana in July. The fair includes a variety of activities such as carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and livestock shows. This event is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors alike with over 80,000 people attending each year.
The Red Ants Pants Music Festival is another popular event held in White Sulphur Springs each year in July. This festival features some of the biggest names in country music including Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. The festival also includes camping opportunities and activities for the whole family such as art shows and workshops.
The Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals are held every December in Great Falls. This event brings together some of the best professional rodeo athletes from around the state to compete for prizes and awards. The competition consists of bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, bull riding and more with over 5,000 people attending each year to watch the show.
Other events held in Montana throughout the year include festivals such as the Flathead Lake Bluegrass Festival held every August at Flathead Lake State Park; Artfest at Holter Museum of Art; Bozeman Brewfest; Butte’s Irish Fest; Billings’ Summerfair; Missoula’s Garden City Brewfest; and many more.
In addition to these large-scale events there are also numerous smaller-scale happenings that take place throughout Montana including open mic nights at local bars or restaurants, art galleries showcasing local artists’ work, farmers markets selling locally grown produce, outdoor recreational activities such as whitewater rafting or skiing on nearby mountainsides – all of which contribute to making Montana an exciting place to visit or live any time of year.
