Bozeman, MT Area Facts & Statistics

Bozeman, Montana has a small town feel with all of the amenities and conveniences of a big city.

Overview
Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, Bozeman is in a prime location for various types of outdoor recreation throughout the year. At the center of this eclectic community composed of of ranchers, artists, professors, ski enthusiasts and entrepreneurs drawn here by excellent outdoor recreation, sits Montana State University.

Yesterday and Today
Never a real boomtown as defined by other fast growing western communities, Bozeman has had a slow, steady growth, beginning in 1864 when the first log cabin was erected.

Many of the early settlers came from the gold fields of other Montana communities including Bannock, Butte and Helena. These former miners acquired the more stable lifestyle of merchants and farmers. Today, Bozeman is one of Montana's major tourism and agriculture centers.

As an important and historic gateway to the West for the past 100 years, Bozeman merchants outfitted miners, explorers, ranchers and the army. Today, downtown is alive with turn-of-the-century buildings housing more than 100 shops and restaurants. Stroll down Historic Main Street and truly step back in time.

Community
With a population of nearly 30,000, Bozeman is one of the larger communities in the area. The same features that created and sustained Bozeman in the past, continue to attract tourists, travel writers, meeting planners, and tour operators.

Agriculture, technology, tourism and real estate development are the main industries for the region. Farm fields and ranchland offer grand vistas and incredible landscapes that go on as far as the eye can see.

Bozeman is the home to several museums, excellent galleries and many talented artists. Sophistication comes in the form of opera, theatre, symphony and ballet and for the “old west” feel, you can enjoy a rodeo, the country fair and the Sweet Pea Festival.

Weather/Climate
The city experiences a mild climate, with lows in the middle of winter reaching 14 degrees F and highs in the middle of summer topping off around 82 degrees F. Most days are sunny and there is little wind.

Activities/Attractions
Visitors and residents have easy access to both cultural and recreational attractions in the Bozeman area. Low-cost skiing is available at the non-profit Bridger Bowl Ski Resort in the Bridger Mountains. Various museums provide exhibits in technology and history.

With over 40% of Gallatin County in the USFS control, there is plenty of opportunity for a number of recreational uses. Summer will find people fly fishing, hiking, camping, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and much more in the mountainous outdoor areas of Bozeman. A two-hour drive will take visitors to the legendary Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park and the largest in the United States.