PLANNING FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Planning for growth and development plays an important role in shaping the future of communities across Southwest Montana. As population growth and rising costs continue to impact local residents, HRDC works alongside community partners and policymakers to support planning efforts that promote stability, opportunity, and strong local communities.
Growth and Development Pressure
Communities across Southwest Montana are growing and changing quickly. Population growth, rising housing costs, infrastructure demands, workforce needs, and limited public resources are all shaping how local communities plan for the future. When growth is not matched with thoughtful planning, it can increase pressure on housing, transportation, water, schools, services, and the people who live and work here.
Growth increases pressure on housing
As more people move to or remain in the region, limited housing supply can push rents and home prices higher.
Communities need systems that can keep up
Roads, water systems, schools, childcare, emergency services, and public facilities all need to grow alongside the population.
Local workers need to be part of the plan
Planning decisions affect whether workers can afford to live near jobs, access transportation, and remain in the communities they serve.
Planning shapes long-term stability
Thoughtful growth planning can help communities protect what people value while preparing for future needs.
Our Community Needs Assessment showed a major shift in how people are thinking about growth and development. In 2022, growth and development ranked last when respondents were asked to compare community impacts such as labor shortages, national inflation, cost of living, and water supply. By 2025, planning for growth and development had emerged as a clearly identified community need.
Growth and development moved from a low concern to a named community need
Planning for Growth and Development was not included in the list of community needs in 2022, but by 2025 it was captured as a distinct priority in HRDC’s needs assessment.
Growth ranked last among seven community impacts
In 2022, respondents ranked growth and development behind other concerns such as inflation, cost of living, labor shortages, and water supply.
Community members are feeling the effects of rapid change
By 2025, growth-related concerns were more visible as communities experienced pressure on housing, services, infrastructure, and affordability.
What Our Needs Assessment Adds
Growth and Development Pressure
Planning for growth and development is not just about land use. It is about whether communities can remain livable, connected, and accessible for the people who already call Southwest Montana home. Good planning helps communities prepare for change while protecting affordability, services, natural resources, and quality of life.
Growth can increase the gap between income and housing costs
Area Median Income data helps show whether local housing costs are aligned with what households in the region actually earn.
Economic trends affect community stability
County-level economic data can help communities understand workforce trends, income, employment, and other pressures shaping local needs.
Infrastructure and services need to grow thoughtfully
Planning affects transportation, water, schools, childcare, emergency response, housing, and access to basic services.
Explore the Data
Understanding growth and development requires looking at housing affordability, income, employment, and broader economic trends. The resources below can help communities compare local incomes, housing eligibility thresholds, and county-level economic conditions over time.
Area Median Income Data
Explore income limits and Area Median Income data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These data help communities understand housing affordability and eligibility thresholds by area.
Economic Data by County
Explore Montana economic data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, including county-level trends related to income, employment, population, housing, and the broader economy.
Explore FRED Data →HUD Income and Rent Limits
Learn how HUD develops income and rent limits using Median Family Income estimates and Fair Market Rent area definitions for communities across the country.
View Income and Rent Limits →