Montana is found in the Western United States. The state’s name is a derivation of the Spanish word montaña which means mountain. Home to only 949,989 (2009 est.)*, it is the third state with the lowest population density in the nation. Montana is the fourth largest state by land area spanning 145,552 miles. It ranks as the sixth safest state to live in as of 2009.** The state boasts of several areas managed by the National Park Service which include Glacier National Park, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Yellowstone National Park.
Mining for gold, silver, copper, lead and coal, as well as cattle ranching have all been essential to the economy and history of Montana. At present, the economy is principally founded on agriculture. The main outputs are wheat, sugar beets, oats, barley, rye, honey, cherries, seed potatoes, sheep and cattle. Montana is a place rich in culture, arts, history, and the great beautiful outdoors. Millions of tourists come out to experience life in Montana each year and contribute to the local economy. As of 2008, the gross state product for Montana was at $35 billion.***
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the unemployment rate at 7.4% as of August 2010.****
| Unemployment Agency | Website | Phone Number | State |
| Unemployment Insurance Division | Montana Website | 406-444-2545 | Montana Unemployment Benefits |
Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Montana:****
| Employer | City |
| AAGESON FARM | Gildford |
| BILLINGS HOSPITAL | Billings |
| HEART CENTER-ST. VINCENT | Billings |
| MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE | Malmstrom Afb |
| PUBLIC HEALTH & HUMAN SVC | Helena |
| ST. VINCENT HEALTHCARE | Billings |
| BENEFIS HEALTH SYSTEM | Great Falls |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY | Bozeman |
| NORTHWEST HEALTH CARE | Kalispell |
| KALISPELL REGIONAL MEDICAL CTR | Kalispell |
| ST. PATRICK’S HOSP & RADIOLOGY | Missoula |
| UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA | Missoula |
| ST. PATRICK HOSPITAL & HEALTH | Missoula |
| PROVIDENCE HEALTH-W MT AREA | Missoula |
| BLACKFEET TRIBE | Browning |
| BOZEMAN DEACONESS HOSPITAL | Bozeman |
| BIG SKY RESORT | Big Sky |
| BILLINGS CLINIC | Billings |
| H.K. CONTRACTORS INC | Columbia Falls |
| ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL | Helena |
| WELLS FARGO INVESTMENTS | Kalispell |
| BLACKFEET PERSONNEL DEPT | Browning |
| SALISH KOOTENAI TRIBAL HDQRS | Pablo |
| MONTANA HEART CTR | Missoula |
| NIGHTINGALE NURSING-CAREGIVING | Missoula |
| GREAT FALLS CLINIC SPECIALTY | Great Falls |
| WALMART SUPERCENTER | Helena |
| AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION | Billings |
| BILIINGS CITY ADMINISTRATOR | Billings |
| BLACKFEET TRIBAL VICE-CHAIRMAN | Browning |
| STILLWATER MINING CO | Nye |
| MISSOULA COUNTY | Missoula |
| BLACKFEET TRIBE COMM SVC | Browning |
| ST. JAMES HEALTHCARE REHAB SVC | Butte |
| GREAT FALLS CLINIC PEDIATRIC | Great Falls |
| MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT TR PRJCT | Deer Lodge |
| STATE PRISON | Deer Lodge |
| BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF MT | Helena |
| HI-LINE SLEEP DISORDER LAB | Havre |
| ST. JAMES HEALTHCARE | Butte |
| WALMART SUPERCENTER | Billings |
| MISSOULA FAMILY YMCA | Missoula |
| SIDNEY SUGARS INC | Sidney |
| BIG SKY RESORT SOLACE SPA | Big Sky |
| CENTER FOR GENERATIONS | Billings |
| COMPLAINT LINE-GENERAL | Great Falls |
| DOUG SWISHER FLY FISHING | Corvallis |
| HIGHWAY DEPT | Helena |
| HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY | Helena |
| LODGE FOOD SVC | Missoula |
Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/30000.html
** http://os.cqpress.com/rankings/CrimeStateRankings_2009.pdf
*** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230dadf9c7f71a384a5
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=30&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12