3 Reasons Why Montana Is the Best Place To Raise a Family

One of my favorite titles is “mom.” I have three children between the ages of 6 and 13 who are my entire world. When my husband and I first started our family, we chose where to live based on our own higher education options. Now, our focus is on living in a community where our children can thrive. I could list dozens of reasons why the Treasure State is a terrific place to put down roots, but instead, I want to keep my list short. The following are my top three reasons why the cities and small towns in the Treasure State are the best places to raise a family in Montana. 

1. Quality of Life in Montana

Montana is a state where community comes first. While you will find larger cities throughout the state, the majority of towns are small, charming, and family-friendly. Billings, the largest city in Montana, only has a population of approximately 120,000, and most communities throughout the Treasure State have fewer than 50,000 residents. Throughout Montana, you’ll typically find low crime rates, family-friendly festivals, many mom-and-pop shops, exceptional city parks, and a neighborly atmosphere where life seems to go just a little bit slower—connections between family and friends are a priority.

2. Education and Family-Friendly Amenities

Maybe it’s because of my current season in life as a mom of young kids, but education is at the top of my list when it comes to considering the best place to raise a child in the U.S. And to deepen my love of the Treasure State even more, Montana is ranked as one of the top 20 most educated states in America. What’s even more interesting is that all of the surrounding states to Montana ranked quite low: Idaho was 37, Wyoming was 26, North Dakota was 28, and South Dakota was 33. Montana also ranked third in the country for the highest percentage of school diploma holders.

3. Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

I come from an outdoorsy family. My childhood summers were spent camping, hiking, and fishing. Multiple national parks were just a short drive away from my home, and we spent many family outings within their borders. My children have grown up with that same love of the outdoors, and their weekends are rarely spent indoors; instead, you'll find them mountain biking, playing sports, or camping. They live for lake days filled with swimming, kayaking, and fishing. This lifestyle is easy to find in Montana. With 55 state parks and nine National Park Service sites—including two national parks—there’s no shortage of places to explore. And when you add in the state’s jaw-dropping scenery, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Montana's great outdoors.

There are so many reasons to live in Montana, but if you have a young family, the list is even more extensive. What do you love most about Montana? Let me know by filling out this nomination form. I’d love to hear from you. And if you are planning a trip to the Treasure State or anywhere else in the U.S., make sure to check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for a little travel inspiration. Oh, and make sure to check out my list of these Montana tourist spots that I really tried to hate but ended up loving.