Jefferson City is more than a small mountain town 20 miles outside Helena. It’s also the home of an infamous creature – Sasquatch. Once a year, typically in May, people gather at Ting’s Bar as the sun sets, and pick up first-come-first-serve hunting permits to track down the legendary beast, or at least a lookalike “Someone dresses up as Sasquatch,” says Blake Mendenhall, a Broker with Bahny Realty who lives in neighboring Clancy, “and people go on this hunt in the middle of the night. There’s a big award if they find him – it’s a big deal.” There’s an outdoor spirit in Jefferson City, and people move here for specialty hunting grounds (for Elk, not only Sasquatches,) to ride ATVs on nearby trails, and to explore the Elkhorn Mountains that surround the town. It’s also close enough to Helena, about 20 miles away, that people commute there for work.
Jefferson City's vast open spaces feature rustic homes and serene mountain views.
Cows graze in a golden field near Jefferson City, with mountains rising in the background.
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Parks
Jefferson City is surrounded by the Elkhorn and South Hills mountain ranges, and both have hiking, mountain biking and ATV trails. Hunting is huge in the area, especially in the Elkhorn Mountains, which is a specialty draw hunting area. That means only a handful of hunters, out of the hundreds who apply through a lottery process every year, can hunt down elk in the mountains forests. “There are world-record bull elk in that area”, says Mendenhall. “Everyone wants to draw that special permit to hunt,” But, drawing the permit to hunt on the Elkhorn Mountains doesn’t always mean hunters get what they’re looking for. “I know people who have drawn that permit and it’s almost a curse, because you’ll pass up smaller elk while they’re waiting for a 380-inch, 400-inch bull elk. And sometimes they don’t end up finding one.” Once hunting season passes, the permits expire, and hunters might not get another chance to hunt in the Elkhorn Mountains. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” says Mendenhall. Aside from hunting, off roading on ATVs is popular with residents. “[The ATVs] go like 80-90 miles an hour,” says Mendenhall, “You can get out into nature, do a little thrill seeking, and get access to places you couldn’t otherwise.” There are trails around the mountains for people to tear up, like the Wickes Road Trail, which takes travelers through an old railroad tunnel and Wood Chute to Blue Bird Mine trail loop, where there’s a great view of Boulder.
A scenic aerial view of Jefferson City's forested surroundings offers a glimpse of rural Montana
A lone figure walks along a quiet, rustic path in the countryside near Jefferson City.
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Homes
Homes in Jefferson City are spread out, with properties often coming with a minimum of one or two acres. There’s a small cluster of a dozen or so homes in a subdivision off Interstate 15 where the area is flattest, and properties get bigger and lots get larger the further up they mountain they go. IT also brings people close to recreation trails. “The area has some phenomenal views, and you’re able to go side-by-siding [ATV riding] right outside your door,” says Mendenhall. Properties up the mountainside can sell for $1-2 million, which usually means five-plus acres and 4-plus bedrooms. Other properties can sell for around $800,00 but come with less land.
A mountain-top home in Jefferson City offers stunning panoramic views.
Classic cottages and traditional homes in Jefferson City add to the neighborhood’s charm.
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Schools
Students can attend Clancy Elementary School, which serves grades Kindergarten through 8 and has an A-minus rating on Niche. Learners continue at B-rated Helena High School, or B-minus-rated Jefferson High School in Boulder. Helena High School has a variety of after school activities for students, like Harry Potter, choir and chess clubs.
Set in Clancy’s scenic hills, Clancy Elementary School fosters learning in a peaceful setting.
Helena High School is the home of the Bengals.
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Transportation
Interstate 15 runs through town and provides residents with a quick and efficient way into Helena and beyond. “It’s about 20 minutes into town,” says Mendenhall. The Helena Regional Airport and Saint Peter’s Health are about 20 miles away.
Interstate 15 near Jefferson City connects the town to major destinations like Butte and Helena.
Cyclists enjoy a peaceful ride through the forested roads near Jefferson City.
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Events
Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum is one of Jefferson City’s can’t miss natural attractions. The gardens have six acres to explore, and there is also space for occasions like weddings, and half a mile of trails that take visitors around the gardens.
Stroll through Tizer Gardens, where each season brings new colors and inspiration.
Discover seasonal blooms and rare plants at Tizer Botanic Gardens in Montana.
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Shopping and Dining
Jefferson City only has two businesses, Ting’s Bar and the post office. Aside from hosting the annual sasquatch hunt, Ting’s Bar is a comfortable spot to grab a drink and a burger, but without a grocery store or other restaurants or shops, Helena is where people head for shopping and dining. Downtown Helena, also called Last Chance Gulch, is the city’s shopping and dining district. Restaurants like the Union and On Broadway are popular spots for a night out, and shops like Great Divide Cyclery and The Garage are a go-to for Jefferson City’s mountain bikers. People typicall shop for groceries at Costco, about 20 miles away.
The Jefferson City Post Office serves as a key hub for mail and community interaction.
A rustic sign marks the entrance to Ting's Tavern, a local favorite in Jefferson City.
The cozy interior of Ting's Bar in Jefferson City invites locals for drinks and conversation.
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Nestled on a peaceful, south-facing hillside just outside Jefferson City, this 2.7-acre lot offers the perfect blend of seclusion, scenery, and convenience. Soak in sweeping views of Montana’s stunning mountain ranges from your future deck, where you’ll regularly spot deer and elk roaming through the area.With excellent sun exposure and sloping terrain, this parcel is ideally suited for a
This 2020 ranch-style home with walk-out basement sits on 2.03 acres in Jefferson City and offers space, comfort, & spectacular views in every direction. The main level features an open-concept kitchen, living, & dining area with LVP flooring, a large center island, gas fireplace, and access to a private covered deck. A spacious primary suite includes a 5-piece bath with luxurious soaking tub and
Escape to the mountains with these two elevated recreational parcels located near Jefferson City, Montana. Bordering expansive public lands, these properties offer direct access to outdoor adventure via BLM roads—perfect for seasonal recreation. The landscape is rich with wildlife, as evidenced by abundant elk and deer sign throughout the understory. Situated between Helena and Boulder, the
Property Id: 1994815A Bohemian like small Abode that has a boho style design w/ all the essentials, a cute screened porch,An artsy back yard patio for shade and privacy and a front yard open to wild life viewing , the Elkhorn Mountains, and a quaking aspen grove.$750 mth + $ 750 deposit + utilities over $50. for 1 or a coupleTarget Renter: employees who travel to the
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
361
Median Age
50
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,772
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,020
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.5%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
31.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.2%
% Population in Labor Force
58%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
40''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
