The southern Montana city of Billings sits on the Yellowstone River, where it experienced rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in March 1882. That speedy expansion inspired its nickname, “Magic City.” Today, Billings spans 45.3 square miles, and has a median age of 37.3. (2022) Energy, agriculture, and transportation form the backbone of its economy.

In southern Montana reigns the “Queen City of the Rockies,” otherwise known as Bozeman. The Rocky Mountain city was founded in 1864 and now covers 20.9 square miles. Its median age is 27.8 (2022). Tourism, technology, and education are the main sectors fuelling its economy.