Skip to content
News
Montana Sees Surge of Young Adults Moving to the State for Jobs
Montana’s economy is attracting the largest group of young adult in-movers in years.
According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, people aged 18 to 24 are the largest group of in-movers to Montana, suggesting that young people are not just staying — they are arriving. Swanson, a Montana native, says she has no plans to leave Great Falls. And she says the reason is simpler than most people might expect.
According to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the U.S. Census Bureau, this age group leads in-migration and boasts a labor force participation rate of 71 percent in Cascade County, surpassing the statewide average of 67 percent. Montana’s real GDP grew by 16.1 percent from 2021 to 2025, outpacing the national average, while average wages reached $60,037 in 2024, ranking third nationally in wage growth. Community groups and major employers like Janicki Industries are key in supporting youth employment and engagement. Still, around 42,000 Montanans aged 16 to 24 remain neither working nor seeking work, highlighting ongoing challenges.
Janicki Industries anticipates hiring roughly 200 people as operations begin at its new Great Falls facility, adding to regional job growth.
For Montana businesses, this influx of young workers could reshape local labor markets and community economies. The state’s blend of small-town social cohesion and emerging industries may foster retention, but addressing the sizable share of disengaged youth will be critical to sustaining this momentum.
Young adults open up about building a life in Montana
By Quentin Shores, KXLH News Helena
***
Janicki is expanding to Great Falls, Montana. 2,000+ Jobs
Janicki is a privately owned engineering and manufacturing company with locations in Washington, Utah and, soon, Montana. Founded in 1993, Janicki designs and builds composite and metallic tooling, parts, prototypes and assemblies for customers across aerospace, defense, space, marine and other industries. Janicki is one of the largest privately owned Tier 1 aerospace suppliers in the United States, with more than 2,000 employees company wide.
