The Fastest-Shrinking City in Montana

Despite what you may have heard, not all places in Montana are growing. Some cities and towns are shrinking and slowly disappearing. Here's the town that's losing the most residents.

Small rural towns throughout the state are struggling to survive. Many of the cities were booming due to the railroad, but those days are long gone.

Montana has spent some time in the national spotlight recently, mostly because it's become the new hot spot for celebrities and the wealthy to get away from it all. While places like Bozeman, Missoula, Whitefish, and Billings continue to grow, some towns are shrinking rapidly.

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Two towns in Montana were just included on a list of the coolest in America. Sadly, certain towns in the state have become mere shadows of their former selves. Several towns in Montana are shrinking, and according to a new list of the fastest-shrinking cities in each state published by A lot Travel, one town in Montana is shrinking faster than the rest.

The fastest-shrinking city in Montana is located along the Yellowstone River in the eastern portion of the state and is less than 10 miles west of the North Dakota border.

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Sidney: The Fastest-Shrinking City in Montana

If you're heading east in Montana, Sidney is considered the end of the line before reaching North Dakota. The population of the area has been shrinking, In the 2020 census, the population of Sidney was 6,346. In an updated census in 2023, the population had shrunk to 6,112.

According to A Lot Travel, here's why Sidney was named the fastest-shrinking city in Montana.

A portion of the population of Sidney, Montana, has also decreased. Some 6,331 people called this lovely city's boundaries home in 2020. Only 6,197 people were left to call this magnificent city their home in 2021, just one year later, when 2.1% of the population had departed.

If you find yourself traveling through eastern Montana in the near future, pay a visit to Sidney. It sounds like the town could use some love.

Montana's Top 5 Towns To Call Home

They say "Home is where your heart is", and if your heart is in Big Sky Country, there's a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a bigger city feel or a small town, you can find it here in Montana.

So, which Montana towns are the best places to call home? According to one source, 5 towns make the list, and you can find all 5 below.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

What's The Worst Thing About Living In Montana?

Montana is known as "The Last Best Place", and for many, that's a true statement. However, Montana isn't for everyone, and if you're living outside of Big Sky Country and considering making the move, there's a few things you should know before you decide to pack up, put the house for sale, and schedule that moving truck.

We asked ChatGPT what is the worst thing about living in Montana and the popular website came back with several answers, which you can find below.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

See If You Can Identify These Montana Lakes Using Google Earth Images

From above, Montana's lakes may be less recognizable than you might think. Test your knowledge--see if you recognize these Montana lakes from Google Earth images.

Gallery Credit: Ashley

Filed Under: Montana