Jefferson River/Manhead Peak Tobacco Root Mountain Range by Christopher Noe

Poppies in the Butterfly Garden at Tizer Botanic Gardens by Belva Lotzer

Range/Manhead Peak/Brownback
Tobacco Root Mountain Range
by Sam Wagner

Jefferson County Economics and Workforce

Jefferson County Workforce

• Jefferson County labor force, 5,817
• Southwest Montana labor force (six county region), 38,553
• Unemployment rate for Jefferson County, 2.5 percent in 2008
• Unemployment rate for Southwest Montana, 2.8 percent in 2008

Jefferson County Economics

Historically, Jefferson County's economy was based upon mining, livestock production and timber. Mining still plays a significant role in the economy and agriculture is still a prominent feature on the landscape. A high percentage of Jefferson County's residents are self-employed and the rate is increasing faster than most other counties in Montana. Many residents commute into the surrounding communities for work.