By the Numbers

Montana’s economy and future depend on our outdoor assets

Outdoor recreation contributes more to the United States’ economy than motor vehicle manufacturing, air transportation, and natural resource extraction.

In 2021, outdoor recreation contributed $454 billion to the United States’ economy.

Outdoor recreation and public lands attract individuals and businesses, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
0%
of Montanans call themselves outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
0 billion
Outdoor recreation adds $2.6 billion annually to Montana’s GDP.
0
Outdoor recreation jobs in Montana in 2021
0%
of Montanans say that the influence of outdoor recreation is important to the economic future of the state.
Montana’s economic growth depends on outdoor recreation and public lands.
0%
Montana’s outdoor recreation economy grew by 29% between 2020 and 2021.
0%
Real personal income in Montana increased by 49% between 2000 and 2015.
Job growth is strongest in counties with public lands.
0%
Gallatin
0%
Flathead
0%
Lewis & Clark
0%
Yellowstone
0%
Missoula

*% job change from 2000 to 2015

17 to 31 jobs are supported by each $1 million spent on conservation activities.

Between 1970 and 2015, the economies of rural western counties with abundant public lands performed overwhelmingly better than counties with scarce public lands.

Rural counties with abundant public lands

Rural counties with sparse public lands

0%
Increase in employment

vs.

0%
Increase in employment
0%
Increase in personal income

vs.

0%
Increase in personal income
0%
Increase in population

vs.

0%
Increase in population
Case Study: Investing in Eastern Montana

Investing in improved river access, recreation infrastructure, and wildlife habitat along the lower Yellowstone River can attract new businesses, improve the quality of life for residents, and encourage visitors to come, stay, and spend money in eastern Montana’s rural communities.

This investment:

will boost visitation by

0 visits

will boost visitor spending by

0 million

will support

0 jobs

and create a total economic output of

0 million

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