#1Butte-Silver Bow
36,118 peopleHistory grade, better than 89% of U.S. towns·No overall grade
Butte-Silver Bow, #1 on this list · Photo: WikiCapa (Uploads) · Public domainMontana rankings · History
Most historic towns in Montana
Butte-Silver Bow ranks first on history among Montana’s 42 towns of 2,500+; 10 of the 42 grade A− or better on history nationally.
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work
#1A
#2Red Lodge
Carbon County · 2,723 peopleHistory grade, better than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #4 of 41 in MT
#3Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Deer Lodge County · 9,709 peopleHistory grade, better than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #30 of 41 in MT
All 42 towns
History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
42 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
3Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDeer Lodge County · 9,709 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #30 of 41
24Columbia FallsFlathead County · 5,753 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #31 of 41
28Helena Valley Northeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 4,659 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #20 of 41
29Helena Valley West Centralunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 8,056 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #10 of 41
31Orchard Homesunincorporated, Missoula County · 5,588 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #2 of 41
32Evergreenunincorporated, Flathead County · 9,611 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #26 of 41
34Montana Cityunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,092 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #8 of 41
35Bigforkunincorporated, Flathead County · 5,565 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #9 of 41
36Lolounincorporated, Missoula County · 4,314 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #24 of 41
37North Browningunincorporated, Glacier County · 3,144 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #40 of 41
38Four Cornersunincorporated, Gallatin County · 5,791 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 41
39Malmstrom AFBunincorporated, Cascade County · 4,302 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #22 of 41
40Helena Valley Southeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 9,108 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #19 of 41
41Lockwoodunincorporated, Yellowstone County · 7,181 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #25 of 41
42Helena Valley Northwestunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 5,183 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #18 of 41
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most historic town in Montana?
Butte-Silver Bow () ranks first on history among 42 towns, with an A; Red Lodge and Anaconda-Deer Lodge County follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (42 in Montana). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Montana page.
Go deeper
All Montana rankings →More Montana lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest small towns34 towns · #1 Four CornersMost affordable towns42 towns · #1 North BrowningSafest towns26 towns · #1 LibbyTowns with the best schools41 towns · #1 Four CornersHealthiest towns41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest towns for jobs & income42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastMost walkable towns42 towns · #1 BozemanTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk42 towns · #1 HelenaBest towns for the outdoors42 towns · #1 HelenaTowns with the most civic life28 towns · #1 LivingstonTowns with the least snow38 towns · #1 DillonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns38 towns · #1 Red LodgeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters43 towns · #1 LibbyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers43 towns · #1 Miles CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers43 towns · #1 Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes41 towns · #1 North BrowningDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns28 towns · #1 KalispellDescribed, no letters
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