If there’s one thing Montana knows—it’s beef. We’ve got a lot of it. With wide open spaces and deep ranching roots, Big Sky Country has been cattle country for generations. And hey, one of our favorite bragging rights? We’ve got more cows than people. But… is that still true?

Speaking of beef... If you're curious where you can find the best steak house in Montana check out the article below!

READ MORE: Where Can You Get The Best Steak In Montana?

Is Montana’s Cow-to-People Ratio Slipping?

Montana’s iconic cow-to-human ratio is starting to tighten up. According to early 2024 data from the USDA, the state is now home to about 2.12 million cattle and 1.14 million people.

That still puts nearly two cows for every resident, but the gap isn’t as wide as it used to be. Just back in 2022, cows were outnumbering people by an even bigger margin. We used to have two cows per person in Montana.  

The statewide numbers only scratch the surface and depending on what county you are in, will drastically change the ratio. If take a drive through Petroleum County in central Montana, you’ll see one of the most cow-heavy spots in the country—just 525 people live there, surrounded by over 32,000 cattle. That breaks down to a wild 62 cows for every one person.

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Montana is still proudly cattle country, so don’t let the dip in our favorite fun fact send you into a tailspin. The reason behind the shift isn’t totally clear, but rising costs and some ranchers stepping away from the industry could be playing a role. Whatever the case, the cows still have a strong hold out here, and that’s not changing anytime soon.