Foreclosures in Montana increased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 1,373 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 317 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is about one third of one percent of the state's housing units.
Montana is the 44th largest U.S. state by population, with 967,440 people (in 2008). Its 147,165 square miles make it the 4th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $45,834.
Montana's biggest employment sectors are government, and the retail and service industries. The state also earns a lot of money each year from tourism, particularly form attractions such as Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Almost 8 percent of Montana's economic activity comes from agriculture, making it one of the most agrarian state economies in the United States. Largest crops include wheat, barley, beets, potatoes, honey and livestock. Montana also leverages other natural resources such as mining and lumber.