Montana covers 145,552 square miles, with a 2015 estimated population of 1,032,949 people – 668,207 living in rural Montana (USDA-ERS). Helena, the capital, is located in the western region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 89.2% of the state’s population is white, 6.6% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 3.6% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (U.S. Census, 2015).
Montana Rural Healthcare Facilities
There are 50 hospitals in Montana (Kaiser, 2015). The state has 48 hospitals identified as Critical Access Hospitals (Flex Team, 2/2017). There are 55 Rural Health Clinics in Montana (CMS, 2016), and 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 74 sites in the state (NACHC, 2015).
Selected Social Determinants of Health for Rural Montana
10% of Montana residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2015). According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Montanans in 2015 was $41,809, although rural per-capita income lagged at $40,883. The ERS reports, based on 2015 ACS data, that the poverty rate in rural Montana is 15.7%, compared with 12.6% in urban areas. 7.4% of the rural population has not completed high school, and 6.8% of the urban population lacks a high school diploma according to 2011-2015 ACS data reported by ERS. The unemployment rate in rural Montana is 4.4%, while in urban Montana it is 3.6% (USDA-ERS, 2015).For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Rural Health Clinic List; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; National Association of Community Health Centers: Key Health Center Data By State; U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets
Collects and disseminates information within the state, improves recruitment and retention of health professionals into rural areas, provides technical assistance to attract more federal, state, and foundation funding for rural health, and coordinates rural health interests and activities across the state.
There are more organizations related to Montana in the organizations section.
Last Reviewed: 9/12/2016