According to the latest census results, Bozeman, Montana in Gallatin County has experience a whopping 30% growth over the last decade.
That is a lot of new people to absorb into their infrastructure. My inlaws moved out there from Connecticut about 30 years ago so I’ve been able to witness the growth. First it was the expansion of the airport. Then the expansion of the big box stores and a giant new public library. Then schools and housing developments stretching out from the traditional downtown.
Bozeman, Montana and the surrounding area is attractive for it’s access to the outdoors. Skiing at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky. An easy drive to Yellowstone park. Intown hiking trails. Hunting and fishing in the area. Bozeman attracts people who love the outdoors while also providing all of the restaurants, art galleries, pizza joints and brew pubs for socializing.
Bozeman is a college town so it’s constantly introducing young people to it’s charms. It’s also starting to grow a tech sector as modern technology allows workers to work anywhere. High housing costs in states like California are also driving people out of those states towards Bozeman.
Gallatin County is located in the U.S. state of Montana. With its county seat in Bozeman, it is the third-most populous county in Montana, with a population of 89,513 in 2010.
I’ve had the pleasure of being able to photograph the area over the years and thankfully most of the charm remains although the sprawl as one drives out of town is apparent. You just can’t hide tracts of new developments in the fields on the way to the Bozeman Hot Springs. Where cattle used to graze in the flat valley, houses now spring up.
Hopefully the growth won’t reach the level of Calgary where it feels like townhouses march right up to the boarder of Banff National Park.
Bozeman has a beautiful downtown area and neighborhood houses with alleyways. It’s very walk-able to the downtown, hiking trails, public garden plots, parks and the University of Montana, although this area has become very pricey with housing being purchase for $1 million and then knocked down and rebuilt. Strict historic district zoning does keep most of the fine old homes in great shape.
