Great Falls helped build the American West by transporting agricultural freight along the Montana Central Railway Railway. Plus, The Boston and Montana Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company built their “Big Stack” smelter right here, bringing more industry to the city. “It’s a blue-collar town,” says Jim Dea, owner of ERA Advantage Realty and lifelong Great Falls resident. “There’s a very working man’s attitude in Great Falls – pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get to work.” Since the “Big Stack” shut down in the 1980s, the city has been experiencing economic hardship. “We’re still climbing out,” says Dea. Today, the city is defined by growth and maintains its working spirit. “I’ve never seen the economy this strong,” says Dea. Restaurants and businesses are opening in Downtown Great Falls, and a 100-acre development called “The Falls” will bring housing, restaurants and nature trails to the east of the city over the next 20 years. Five hydroelectric generators power the city, making it known as the "Electric City." The river also generates outdoor adventure and is used for fishing and pontoon boating, while the land along the riverbank is lined with 53 miles of nature trails.
Great Falls’ economy is based on tourism, manufacturing and healthcare. Benefis Health operates a hospital 3 miles from Downtown Great Falls and is a major employer in the city. Plus, companies like ADF Structural Steel and Calumet Montana produce renewable diesel fuel for aircraft. “There’s a lot of working-class folks in Great Falls,” says Dea. The city is also home to two military installations, the Great Falls Air National Guard Base and Malmstrom Air Force Base, which also provide many jobs.
Great Falls is known for it's dams that create the majority of the city's electricity
Great falls rests right on the edges of the Missouri River.
Great Falls is full of various breweries which bring delicious local beer to residents.
Glacier Park attracts tourism to Great Falls in winter and summer.
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Outdoor activity on the Missouri River
Other than being known as the "Electric City," Great Falls is also known as the “Basecamp of Montana, because it is located between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, two of the largest parks in the state. The Missouri River has 53 miles of nature trails and they're used for hiking, biking and running. It's also common to see kayaks and pontoon boats on the river. About 70 miles south, the Little Belt Mountains are full of hunting and backpacking opportunities. There are various parks in city limits with playgrounds and open green spaces, like Lion's Park off 10th Avenue South and indoor spaces like the Great Falls Rec Center and the Black Falls Community Center. Showdown Montana is a go-to for skiing and is just 70 miles south. In the winter, the city receives heavy snow and cold temperatures, so snow tires and salted sidewalks are part of life.
Riverside Park in Great falls has an amazing outdoor gym right on the edge of the Missouri River.
Riverside Park on the Missouri River has amazing viewpoints to watch sunsets in Great Falls.
Gibson Park has numerous playgrounds to play right by the Missouri River in Great Falls.
Gibson Park has an amazing basketball court right on the edge of the Missouri River in Great Falls.
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Downtown Great Falls is growing
Great Falls is one of Montana's mainstays for the arts and culture. It was home to Charles Marion Russell, also known as the cowboy artist, who was primarily known for painting scenes of the American West. The Charles Marion Russell Museum complex has more than 2,000 of his artwork and artifacts on display. The city is a hotspot for museums, including the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, the Children's Museum of Montana, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. The city has a long-standing Native American history and is surrounded by several reservations and state tribes. Great Falls hosts the "Gathering of Families," where tribal leaders and members from Native American communities across the state gather for a week of events, traditional games, storytelling and a conference. Downtown Great Falls is becoming a bustling restaurant district, offering a mix of casual restaurants, breweries and coffee shops.
Downtown Great Falls is full of families enjoying shopping in afternoons.
Downtown Great Falls has dozens of delicious restaurants to choose from for fun date nights.
Downtown Great Falls is full of vibrant murals that bring life to the neighborhood.
Downtown Great Falls is home to historic brick buildings that give an old western vibe to the city.
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Growth in Great Falls housing prices
Housing prices in Great Falls have doubled since 2018. The median home price is $335,000, which is $85,000 lower than the national average of $420,000 and around $115,000 lower than the average cost in Montana. “We’re fairly affordable compared to the rest of the state, but it’s still crazy for people around here,” says Dea. Downtown Great Falls has historic Victorian properties overlooking the Missouri River, and a mix of ranch and craftsman homes are popular in suburban neighborhoods throughout the rest of the city. The Great Falls Development Authority shows that Great Falls's cost of living is about 13% lower than the national and state average. Housing prices are expected to rise as growth and development continue throughout the city.
Modern condominiums decorate the streets in Great Falls.
Great Falls has stunning modern housing developments which help raise surrounding property values.
It's common to find brand new town homes in Great Falls.
Old Victorian homes add history to the streets in Great Falls.
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Great Falls Public Schools
The city is served by Great Falls Public Schools. On Niche, the district is separated into two parts: the Great Falls Elementary School District, which has a B rating, and the Great Falls High School District, which has a B-plus rating. The city has 14 elementary schools, two middle schools, two elementary schools and four alternative campuses. C.M. Russel High School, named for the famed Great Falls artist, has a notable art program.
C.M. Russell High School is one of the many high schools in Great Falls.
Chief Joseph Elementary School offers safe grounds for students in Great Falls.
Great Falls High School has a beautiful large brick building campus in Great Falls.
East Middle School offers quality education for students in Great Falls.
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Getting around Great Falls
U.S. Route 87 and Interstate 15 are the main routes in the city and around the region. Interstate 15 leads to the Great Falls International Airport on the city’s lower west side. Great Falls Transit offers several bus routes, along with paratransit options.
Crime in Cascade County
Great Falls is the Cascade County Seat, where property crime increased by 3% and violent crime increased by 13%, according to the Montana Board of Crime Control.
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Step into the timeless charm of this 1920 Craftsman, where classic character meets thoughtful updates. A beautifully rebuilt covered front porch with low-maintenance composite decking welcomes you inside to a bright entryway with fresh paint and a convenient coat closet. The spacious living and dining area features a stunning built-in hutch and offers hardwood flooring beneath the carpet, ready
Great home with a attached double garage! This 4 bedroom, 1 bathroom property offers generous living space and open, inviting layout filled with natural light from large windows throughout. With plenty of room to spread out, its a ready for your personal touches to truly make it your own. Step outside to a large, fully fenced backyard- perfect for gardening, entertaining, or simply enjoying the
Let's cut to it: 6 bedrooms. 3,088 sq ft. Fully finished top to bottom. Central A/C. 2-car garage. Southwest Great Falls location. Move-in ready. $502,215. Still reading? Good. Here's what the numbers don't tell you — this house lives big. The basement isn't a dungeon with a pull-string light bulb. It's a complete second level with three bedrooms, family room, and bath. The main floor has a
Rare opportunity to own a Missouri River waterfront property just south of Great Falls, Montana. This custom riverfront home sits on approximately 8.7 acres with over 2,000 feet of Missouri River frontage, offering privacy, incredible views, and direct access to one of Montana’s most iconic rivers. The home features approximately 7,774 square feet of living space designed to capture the
Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home nestled in a peaceful, private setting within city limits—just minutes from the river and some of Great Falls’ best fishing. From the charming front porch to the spacious two-car garage, the inviting exterior sets the tone for what awaits inside. Step through the front door into an airy, open-concept living space accented by soaring ceilings and
Your Montana Dream Awaits—Sprawling 20 Acres, 4600 SqFt of Possibility! Just minutes from Great Falls, this expansive 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers the perfect balance of space, privacy, and opportunity. Set on 20 fully fenced acres with three separate pastures, it’s an ideal setup for those seeking room to roam—whether for horses, livestock, or simply wide-open living.Step inside to over
Welcome to this beautifully designed home featuring a rarely available floorplan that combines spacious living with thoughtful functionality. From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and open layout that make this home feel both grand and inviting.The living room showcases tall arched windows and a cozy gas fireplace, creating the perfect
Built in 2021 and still feeling brand new, 2308 22nd Street South is move-in ready with quality throughout. This meticulously cared-for home offers over 1,600 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The open main living area features vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a seamless flow into the kitchen with GE slate appliances and a spacious island. The primary suite includes a large
Set against wide-open skies and sweeping panoramic views, this exceptional 5-acre parcel offers the perfect canvas to build your dream home. Whether you’re envisioning a modern retreat, a custom farmhouse, or a private getaway, this property delivers the space, privacy, and scenery that are getting harder to find. The land is ready for development, giving you a head start on bringing your vision
Offering three bedrooms total, this refreshed corner lot home is designed for versatility and effortless living. The main level features two comfortable bedrooms, including one with elegant French doors that open directly onto a large deck—perfect for morning coffee or evening entertaining.The newly remodeled upstairs serves as a quaint primary suite or a third bedroom retreat, boasting
Located in Sunnyside Heights Addition, this home is ready for new owners who desire to build some equity by updating this conveniently located home. The home has a low maintenance exterior, updated windows, fenced yard and a detached oversized 2 car garage that is insulated and heated. The roof was replaced in 2025. Documentation is available.
This charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home is situated on a desirable corner lot in Great Falls, MT. Featuring a cozy layout, the property includes a one-car garage and a large fenced yard, perfect for outdoor activities and privacy. The Trex decking offers a low-maintenance outdoor space ideal for entertaining or relaxing. A convenient shed is also included for additional storage. The home's
Prime commercial development opportunity at 17 3rd Street NW in Great Falls. This 1.795-acre unimproved parcel sits near the Missouri River and West Bank Park, offering an attractive setting in one of the city’s growing commercial corridors. Convenient dual access from Central Avenue and 3rd Street NW provides excellent ingress and egress, with strong daily traffic counts exceeding 30,000
Breena Buettner, CCIMKeller Williams Capital Realty
Welcome home to this inviting and well-maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath property situated on a spacious city lot in Great Falls! You’ll love the blend of comfort and updates throughout, including an updated kitchen, a beautifully refreshed main-floor bathroom featuring a tiled shower, and plenty of space to add additional bedroom area in the basement! Cozy up by the gas fireplace or spread out in the
We offer studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments specifically designed to complement your unique style. Surrounded by bountiful nature, our apartment homes feature all the amenities you need for upscale, comfortable living including gorgeous open concept living areas with hardwood plank flooring, designer-style kitchens and expansive, over-sized windows that let you drink in awe-inspiring
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Welcome to Vista Villa/River Run, your new home in the heart of Great Falls, MT. Our apartments offer a blend of comfort and convenience, with amenities designed to enhance your lifestyle. Each apartment features luxury vinyl plank floors, adding a touch of elegance and easy maintenance to your living space. For your convenience, we offer on-site laundry facilities, eliminating the need for
Enjoy a fully furnished studio suite in our hotel at an affordable rate with free wi-fi, free utilities and free premium cable. Each studio suite has a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stovetop and microwave, and has a flexible workspace and plenty of storage. All our hotels are pet-friendly and have on-site guest laundry available. Plus, there are no long-term commitments and you can
Located off 3rd St NW Arc Apartments Homes offers an unbeatable location for accessibility and convenience. You'll love being able to take short trips to local shopping plazas or bike rides along the river. Our studio, one and two-bedroom floorplans are thoughtfully designed to optimize storage and living space for working, and entertaining, and everyday life. Community amenities include a
Property Id: 11671654 bedroom House. Layout as follows: Upstairs: 2 Bedrooms/bathroom/storage. Main level: 1/2 Bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen. Basement: Brand new bathroom, 2 bedrooms, washer, and dryer. Hardwood floors, dishwasher, and microwave. Front porch and street parking. Rent:$1800/month plus gas and electricity. Security Deposit: $1800. One year lease. Tenant
Property Id: 2478970This nicely updated mobile home (approx. 850 sq. ft.) boasts 3 bedrooms and 1 large full bathroom.Additionally it includes: laundry hook-ups (dryer provided, but will not be replaced if it breaks), and a new kitchen (new refrigerator and range).No pets, no smoking, and must be able to pass a background check. Water & lot rent provided by landlord. Tenant
Property Id: 1592884This single-family rental offers an ideal location just steps from North Middle School and three blocks from Sacajawea Elementary School. Enjoy the convenience of nearby shopping and dining options on Smelter Ave, as well as the recreational amenities 2 blocks away at Jaycee Park.The spacious home features 4 bedrooms (1 non-conforming) and 2 bathrooms, an
Property Id: 2361758Welcome to this centrally located 2 bed, 1 bath single-family home in Great Falls, MT on 13th Street/4th Ave. South. This cozy quaint abode features a driveway near the front door, refrigerator, oven, and the cutest living room curtains. Just blocks from Great Falls High School. Enjoy the central city location and convenience of included water, sewage, garbage. RENT:
Property Id: 2479039Fixer upper home FOR SALE overlooking the river. This is a great opportunity for the right person. Is on a rented lot in a mobile home community.Lot rent is $570 a month. Includes water, sewer, and garbage.Must be able to pass a background check with the community.
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Property Id: 2407995Updated 3 bed, 1 bath upper-level home in a quiet Great Falls neighborhood. Clean, well-maintained interior with modern finishes and bright living spaces. Features: - Remodeled throughout - New appliances - Luxury vinyl plank flooring - Fresh paint - Updated bath with tile tub/shower - Washer/dryer hookups. Outdoor: - Shared fenced yard - Garage storage (no parking).
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