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Great Falls is situated next to the Missouri River in Cascade County. The name was given due to the collection of water falls which the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and expansive plains on the north side. Great Falls is also known as the "Electric City" which is attributed to the five hydroelectric dams located along the Missouri River. The nearby Roe River is recognized as the shortest river in the world. Malstrom Air Force Base and the 341 Space Wing are located in the town.
Great Falls was founded in 1883 by Paris Gibson and railroad tycoon James J. Hill. The city was established to generate power from the nearby waterfalls. In the early days it was known as a businessman's town. Industries and the supply business were flourishing. The Anaconda Copper Mining Company was the largest employer.
Significant growth occurred with the construction of a military base in the 1940's. However, during the late portion of the century, declines in the rail transportation business and the farming population as well as the shutting down of the smelter reduced the city's population. In 1950 a citizen filmed what he perceived to be a UFO. The claim received national attention and is considered to be one of the first major UFO incidents in the country.
The popular Sip and Dip bar had been ranked #1 by GQ Magazine as the top bar that was worth flying to. The venue features mermaids that swim around in a see-through pool. Other popular nightspots include Stein Haus, Brick Sports Pub and The Other Place. Sports enthusiasts enjoy the Great Falls Explorers of the Continental Basketball League and the Great Falls Voyagers baseball team.
The Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts is utilized for social events and for a wide variety of entertainment. The building is a national historic landmark. The popular River Fest includes live entertainment, art shows, water sports events and other activities. The PRCA Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Lewis and Clark Festival are noteworthy events. Citizens and visitors enjoy the music concerts of the Great Falls Symphony Association.
The region provides opportunities for hunting big game and birds. Hunting guides are available. Fly fishing is popular at the numerous streams and rivers. Golf enthusiasts enjoy the city's golf courses including Emerald Greens Golf Club. Guided tours are available for hiking the Lewis and Clark Trail. Riding the trolley in the historic downtown is popular with tourists. The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is situated on a large acreage and is popular for wildlife photography.
The city is served by the Great Falls International Airport.
Great Falls strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Montana):
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times (vs. Peers) | Top 2% |  |
| Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers) | Top 3% | |
| Racial Diversity (vs. State) | Top 5% | |
| Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State) | Top 15% | |
| Public Transportation Use (vs. State) | Top 17% | |
Comparing Great Falls to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Montana (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens |  |  |
| Age of the Population | | |
| Male Share of the Population |  | |
| Female Share of the Population | |  |
| Children Under 5 Years Old |  |  |
| Well-Paid Single Men | | |
| Well-Paid Single Women | |  |
| Racial Diversity | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Average Household Size |  | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | | |
| People Above Poverty | | |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | | |
| Low Property Crime | | |
 | Great Falls Careers Great Falls career and employment information. |
 | Great Falls Colleges Great Falls colleges and trade schools. |
 | Great Falls Hotels & Travel Great Falls hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Great Falls Mortgage Great Falls property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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