The Boulder Area

Boulder, a town of about 1,300 residents is located along Interstate 15, in the beautiful Boulder Valley.  Boulder is about 25 miles south of Helena and 30 miles northwest of Butte.  Boulder is the county seat and home to a number of human services organizations which provide a stable employment and economic base for the area.

Basin, a quaint old mining village, considers itself part of the Boulder community. Basin has about 255 people and is located about 15 minutes from Boulder along Interstate 15. Dispite its small size, Basin is home to some great restaurants, shops, a bed and breakfast, radon health mines and an artist's refuge.

Civic pride is high in Boulder, in part because of its participation in the Horizons Project in 2006-2007. Over 25 groups are actively working to make the Boulder area an even more beautiful, welcoming and fun place to live. Amenities in Boulder make for a rich quality of life, including:

• An outdoor community swimming pool with a slide
• A newer community library
• The Heritage Museum
• Farmer's market, running Saturday mornings June through September
• Updated County Fairgrounds
• A historic, restored carousel
• Hot springs
• North America's only radon health mines
• Senior Center
• Thrift store
• County Seat
• Youth and Adult ball fields
• A newly expanded grocery store and pharmacy

Boulder's Vision Statement

Over 15 percent of the citizens of Boulder contributed to the creation of its Vision Statement as part of the Horizons Project.

Boulder is a strong community committed to planned growth that enhances new economic diversity while preserving our natural beauty, clean environment and small town friendly atmosphere. Boulder is a family friendly town with an emphasis and focus towards promoting safe and healthy living and creative new learning opportunities.

Boulder has a diverse economy that builds on its natural resources and heritage while safeguarding our traditional agricultural culture. We continue to support and encourage local business and artisans while promoting value-added products.

Horizons volunteers organized the Boulder Community Development Organization to coordinate the work of various civic organizations and to sustain the work towards Boulder's vision statement. Horizons was funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and administered by MSU Extension.

Recreation

The Boulder area offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Surrounded by state and federal public lands, camping and hiking opportunities abound.

Climate

At nearly a mile high (4990 feet), Boulder enjoys a four season climate. The average high/low temperature in January is 29/9 F and 83/52 F in July. Annual precipitation is approximately 11 inches.

Education

Boulder Elementary serves 176 students, grades k - 8 and Jefferson High School enrolls 229 students from the Boulder area and all of northern Jefferson County. The Basin school enrolls 23 students in grades k - 8. Students from Basin, Clancy and Montana City Elementary schools attend Jefferson High School.

Area higher education opportunities nearby include Caroll College and Helena College of Technology, Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology and Montana Tech in Butte.

Workforce

Boulder has access to a well educated workforce due to easy access from
surrounding communities.

• 84% of residents have a high school degree or greater
• 26% have some college
• 17% have a bachelor's degree or greater

The majority of Boulder's workforce commutes less than 20 minutes to work.

Major Employers

Montana Developmental Center, Elkhorn Treatment Center, Jefferson County,
Youth Dynamics Inc, Riverside Correctional Facility, Boulder Administrative Services.

Utilities

Boulder has a municipal water and sewer system and high speed internet available
through Jefferson Broadband.

Business License

All businesses doing business within the city limits of Boulder must have a
business license issued by the city office. Click on the following link for
Business license information and an application.