Why Half of America is Empty - NOBODY Wants to Live in These 9 EMPTY States - YouTube

America's Great Demographic Shift: The Quiet Transformation of Rural States

A demographic transformation is reshaping the American landscape, as certain states face unprecedented population challenges that could redefine the nation's future.

In the fading light of a Wyoming evening, the main street of Gillette stretches empty between shuttered storefronts. Once a booming coal town that attracted thousands of workers during the energy rush of the 2010s, it now bears the quiet hallmarks of economic transition. This scene, replicated across much of rural America, tells the story of one of the most significant demographic shifts in modern U.S. history.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Recent U.S. Census data reveals a complex picture of American population movement. Eight states lost population in 2023: New York, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Oregon, and West Virginia, representing a sharp decline from the 19 states that lost residents during the pandemic's peak. However, this masks deeper, more nuanced demographic challenges affecting rural and economically vulnerable regions across the nation.

The patterns of migration in 2024 were partially linked to taxation, with 18 of the 26 states whose overall state and local tax burdens per capita were below the national average seeing their population increase. Meanwhile, 17 of the 25 states with tax burdens at or above the national average experienced population decreases.

The Coal Curtain Falls: Wyoming's Economic Reckoning

Perhaps nowhere is this transformation more evident than in Wyoming, where the coal industry—once the backbone of the state's economy—faces an existential crisis. Wyoming's first-quarter 2024 coal production plummeted nearly 21% from the same period in 2023, with major companies like Arch and Peabody experiencing declines of 28% and 17% respectively.

For the first time since 1992, Wyoming is on track to miss producing 200 million tons of coal annually. The implications extend far beyond mining statistics. For the first six months of 2024, coal production fell 25% to 84.6 million tons, creating significant challenges for the state's budget.

The decline isn't sudden—it's the culmination of market forces years in the making. Rising mining costs, increasingly stringent environmental regulations, and competition from other sources of electric power generation have contributed to domestic coal production declines. Coal's share of U.S. electricity generation has fallen from over half the country's power decades ago to approximately one-fifth today.

Thanks to revenues from fossil fuel production, citizens of Wyoming have become accustomed to a very low tax burden, with a hypothetical Wyoming family of three using roughly $28,000 worth of public services per year while paying just $3,770 in taxes. As coal revenues decline, this model becomes unsustainable.

Maine: America's Aging Laboratory

On the opposite coast, Maine presents a different but equally significant demographic challenge. Maine has the oldest median age in the nation at 44.8 years, with 23% of its population over age 65, making it officially "super-aged" according to World Bank definitions.

The state's aging isn't just about numbers—it's reshaping entire communities. From nearly every industry, there's the cry of "We can't find workers." Baby boomers who flooded into Maine in the 1960s and '70s are now retiring, selling businesses and leaving professions.

The disconnect between Maine's aging population and its need for young workers to care for that population is expected to be mirrored in states throughout the country over the coming decade. Healthcare workers are particularly scarce: agencies struggle to find home care workers despite wages reaching $50 per hour in some areas.

By 2026, Maine will be joined by more than 15 other states meeting the "super-aged" criterion, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Montana, Delaware, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island: The Affordability Crisis in America's Smallest State

Contrary to the video's claims of decline, Rhode Island faces a different challenge: explosive housing costs in the nation's smallest state. Rhode Island's housing market is experiencing a strong surge, with home prices increasing by 9.6% year-over-year as of January 2025, with a median home price of $504,600.

The 2024 Housing Fact Book reveals that no municipality in Rhode Island has a median homeowner income where residents can affordably buy a home, with the state's median single family home price requiring an estimated annual income of $143,687. Since 2018, median single-family home prices have surged throughout the state, with increases ranging from 18% in Glocester to 112% in Central Falls, and 10 municipalities seeing home prices rise by 50% or more.

Rhode Island's population rate has been slightly declining in recent years, with the U.S. World Population Review attributing this decrease to the aging population, though estimating some growth between now and 2025. The state faces the unique challenge of being extremely populated for such a small area with very little capacity for further growth.

According to the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, the number of people experiencing homelessness in RI has more than doubled since 2020, while unsheltered homelessness has grown by 56% since 2020.

Delaware: Growth Amid Demographic Shifts

The video's characterization of Delaware as declining is inaccurate. Between 2000 and 2024, Delaware did not experience a population decline during any annual cycle, with population increasing by 31,292 between 2022 and 2024. Delaware's population reached 1,044,320 in 2025, growing by over 245,000 since 2000.

However, Delaware faces different demographic pressures. The state's labor force participation rate dropped from 62% in 2019 to 59% in 2024, the lowest rate compared to Delaware's neighboring states. The state has experienced a dramatic 92% increase in residents over the age of 65 since 2006, a trend that is poised to alter consumer behavior and reshape long-term planning.

One surprising finding revealed that one out of 10 Delawareans was born in a foreign country and one out of seven in the workforce was born outside the United States, representing a significant demographic shift driven by immigration.

The Northern Plains: A Tale of Two Dakotas

Contrary to the video's depiction of universal decline, both North and South Dakota show population growth, though with important nuances.

North Dakota has demonstrated resilience post-oil boom. North Dakota's population grew to a record high of 796,568 people as of July 1, 2024, marking the largest increase since 2020. From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, North Dakota's population grew by 7,521 people overall, ranking first among Midwest states in population growth rate.

However, growth is concentrated in urban areas. Cass County saw the largest population increase, adding 2,788 residents, while 28 counties saw population gains and 25 counties experienced losses. Many rural counties face significant population losses, with Sioux County and Towner County both losing over 8% of their populations.

South Dakota shows similar patterns. Between 2023 and 2024 South Dakota kept alive its trend of population growth every year since 1989, adding 6,364 people, though this represents the smallest increase in the 2020s. Growth is concentrated in urban areas like Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls) and Pennington County (Rapid City), while many rural counties face significant losses, with Jones County declining 12% and several counties experiencing population declines exceeding 6%.

Montana: The Paradox of Growth and Unaffordability

The video's characterization of Montana as "becoming too expensive and too empty at the same time" contains elements of truth, though the state continues to grow overall. Montana faces a unique housing affordability crisis despite ongoing population growth.

Montana has the fastest-growing housing market in the country, according to Bankrate analysis, with the average Montanan needing to earn nearly 78% more than before the pandemic to afford a typical home. Montana homebuyers now need to earn over $130,000 per year to afford the typical monthly mortgage payment, with median home prices increasing by $200,000 over the past four years.

The median residential property in Montana was worth $378,000 as of the beginning of 2024, representing a 66% increase from the pre-pandemic value of $228,000. This dramatic rise means that while per-capita personal income grew by 26% over four years, housing costs have far outpaced wage growth.

However, contrary to the video's implications of emptiness, Montana continues to experience population growth, though at a slowing rate. As of July 2024, Montana has a population of 1,137,223, an increase of 5,931 from July 2023. While this represents a 0.52% growth rate (ranking 37th among U.S. states), it's a significant decline from the pandemic boom when Montana was the second-fastest growing state in the country with nearly 20,000 new residents between 2020-2021.

The housing challenge is acute: from 2010 to 2020, there was 9.6% population growth while only 6.6% housing growth. After the pandemic, surrounding states saw bursts of home building, but Montana was the only state to still lag behind housing demand between 2020 and 2023.

Montana's growth is driven almost entirely by domestic migration rather than international immigration, with the state historically having the lowest levels of international migration in the country. Since the 2020 census, 51,600 more people have moved into Montana than have relocated elsewhere, while the state has seen roughly 3,000 more deaths than births.

The effects are most pronounced in cities like Bozeman, where the median sold price for homes reached $711,000 as of April 2025, with single-family homes averaging $932,000. Even smaller towns across Montana are experiencing significant price increases, making the housing crisis statewide rather than limited to just the major cities.

Vermont and Alaska: The Struggling Periphery

Vermont represents one of the genuine cases of population decline mentioned in the video. Vermont experienced a negligible population decline of 0.03% in 2024, making it one of only three states to lose residents alongside West Virginia and Mississippi. Deaths exceeded births in 17 states in 2024, most significantly in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Alaska faces severe challenges with minimal growth. Population grew the slowest in Alaska (0.02%) among all states, reflecting the unique economic and geographic challenges of America's largest but most sparsely populated state.

The Sun Belt Solution

While some states struggle with decline, others experience unprecedented growth. South Carolina saw the greatest increase in population due to domestic migration at 1.26%, while Idaho, Delaware, North Carolina, and Tennessee also saw significant increases.

Continuing a decades-long trend, the South was home to the fastest-growing states, drawn by employment opportunities, as well as lower costs of living and warmer climates compared with other regions.

Climate and Economic Pressures

Environmental factors compound these demographic challenges. A mild winter in the U.S., which coincides with April as the 11th consecutive monthly warmest on record across the globe, helped drive down demand for Wyoming's thermal coal by 20%.

Economic restructuring affects all regions. The Congressional Budget Office projects the U.S. population will increase from 350 million people in 2025 to 372 million in 2055, growing at an average rate of just 0.2 percent per year—less than one-quarter of the average growth rate seen from 1975 to 2024.

National Solutions for Local Challenges

While individual states grapple with these demographic pressures, many of the underlying issues require coordinated federal intervention. The challenges facing America's demographic transformation—from aging populations to housing affordability, from economic transition to infrastructure needs—are often too large and interconnected for state-level solutions alone.

Economic Transition and Industrial Policy

The collapse of coal in Wyoming and similar extractive industry declines across rural America highlight the need for comprehensive federal economic transition programs. The federal government could expand models like the Appalachian Regional Commission to create transition authorities for other economically vulnerable regions, providing coordinated investment in workforce retraining, infrastructure modernization, and new industry development.

A national industrial policy could strategically locate new manufacturing—particularly in clean energy, semiconductors, and advanced materials—in economically distressed areas. This approach would leverage existing infrastructure and workforces while providing economic alternatives to declining industries. The recent Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act demonstrate this approach, but broader coordination is needed.

Immigration as a Demographic Solution

Montana's demographic challenges illustrate a broader pattern: states with the lowest international immigration face the greatest workforce and population pressures. A comprehensive federal immigration reform could address labor shortages in aging states while distributing settlement more evenly across the country.

Targeted immigration programs could direct skilled workers and refugees to areas with labor shortages and population decline. Canada's Provincial Nominee Program offers a model, allowing provinces to select immigrants based on local economic needs. Similar federal coordination could help states like Maine address healthcare worker shortages while providing economic opportunities for immigrants.

Housing Policy and Interstate Coordination

The housing crises in Montana, Rhode Island, and other high-cost areas require federal intervention beyond what individual states can achieve. A national housing strategy could include:

Zoning Reform Incentives: Federal infrastructure funding could be tied to local zoning reforms that allow higher-density housing, similar to recent California state legislation but implemented through federal carrots rather than state sticks.

Interstate Housing Mobility: Federal programs could facilitate housing mobility between high-cost and lower-cost regions, helping workers relocate to areas with better affordability while bringing needed skills to struggling communities.

Infrastructure Investment: Large-scale federal infrastructure investment could improve connectivity between growing metropolitan areas and surrounding regions, allowing workers to live in more affordable areas while accessing better job markets.

Healthcare and Aging Infrastructure

Maine's aging crisis previews challenges that will soon affect most of the country. A national response could include:

Medicare and Medicaid Reform: Expanding federal support for home and community-based services could help aging populations remain in rural areas rather than migrating to cities with better healthcare infrastructure.

National Service Programs: A civilian climate corps or national service program could provide young workers for care positions while offering career paths and education benefits, addressing both the rural labor shortage and student debt crises.

Telemedicine Infrastructure: Federal investment in broadband and telemedicine could make rural healthcare more viable, reducing the pressure for elderly residents to relocate to urban areas.

Climate Adaptation and Migration

As climate change accelerates demographic shifts—from sea-level rise in coastal Rhode Island to extreme weather in rural areas—federal climate adaptation funding becomes crucial. This includes:

Managed Retreat Programs: For communities facing unavoidable climate risks, federal programs could facilitate planned relocation while preserving community bonds and economic opportunities.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Federal investment in climate-adapted infrastructure could help communities weather demographic and environmental changes simultaneously.

Fiscal Federalism Reform

The stark differences in state fiscal capacity highlighted by Wyoming's resource dependence suggest the need for federal fiscal reforms:

Revenue Sharing: Expanded federal revenue sharing could reduce states' dependence on volatile extractive industries while providing more stable funding for essential services.

Automatic Stabilizers: Federal programs that automatically provide additional support during economic or demographic transitions could prevent the boom-bust cycles that destabilize communities.

Political Representation and Democracy

Demographic concentration in metropolitan areas while rural areas lose population raises fundamental questions about political representation. The growing gap between population and political power—where Wyoming's 580,000 residents have the same Senate representation as California's 39 million—may require constitutional reconsideration or creative federal policies that ensure all regions maintain meaningful political voice.

Looking Forward: Adaptation and Innovation

The demographic transformation reshaping America represents more than regional changes—it's a fundamental reshaping of the American demographic map that requires both local adaptation and national coordination. Population projections show that some states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Illinois are projected to see consistent decline over the next few decades, while the fastest-growing states will remain predominantly in the South and West.

States facing demographic headwinds are beginning to adapt locally. Wyoming is investing in economic diversification, exploring everything from rare earth element extraction to renewable energy. Maine is working to attract younger workers and immigrants while developing systems to better serve its aging population. Rhode Island is grappling with housing affordability while Delaware leverages its growing immigrant population to maintain economic vitality.

But these state-level efforts, while necessary, are insufficient alone. The demographic challenges facing America—from the housing affordability crisis to economic transition to aging infrastructure—cross state boundaries and require federal coordination. The states highlighted here offer laboratories for testing solutions, but scaling successful approaches will require national commitment.

The story playing out across America's heartland and its edges represents more than regional changes—it's a fundamental reshaping of the American demographic map. How successfully states and the federal government navigate these transitions together will determine not just their own futures, but the character of American society in the decades to come.

As demographic forces reshape the nation, the challenge isn't whether change will come, but whether communities can adapt quickly enough to thrive in this transformed landscape. The states highlighted here—from Wyoming's coal towns to Maine's aging communities, from Rhode Island's housing crisis to the Dakotas' urban-rural divide—offer a preview of the demographic pressures that will define America's future. Meeting these challenges will require the best of both local innovation and federal coordination, ensuring that America's demographic transformation strengthens rather than fractures the nation's democratic fabric.

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Fact-Check Summary: Video Claims vs. Reality

The following table summarizes the accuracy of claims made in the original video transcript for each state mentioned, in order of presentation:

Rank
State
Video Claim
Actual Status (2024-2025)
Accuracy
9
Wyoming
Coal industry collapsing, towns emptying, economic heartbeat failing
✓ ACCURATE - Coal production down 21%, missing 200M tons for first time since 1992, significant budget impacts
CORRECT
8
Vermont
Young people leaving, population aging faster than nation, more deaths than births
✓ ACCURATE - Population declined 0.03%, deaths exceed births, aging population challenges
CORRECT
7
Alaska
Skyrocketing costs, villages vanishing, paying people to live there but can't keep them
✓ MOSTLY ACCURATE - Slowest population growth (0.02%), high living costs, infrastructure challenges
MOSTLY CORRECT
6
North Dakota
Massive job losses, oil fields quiet, counties losing population faster than expected
✗ INACCURATE - Population at record high (796,568), 1% growth, ranked 1st in Midwest for growth
INCORRECT
5
South Dakota
Main streets empty, hospitals closing, schools merging, rural backbone weakening
✗ INACCURATE - Continued population growth since 1989, added 6,364 people in 2024, strong labor market
INCORRECT
4
Delaware
Big corporations pulling back, residents quietly packing up, slow silent unraveling
✗ INACCURATE - Population increased 31,292 (2022-2024), consistent growth, no decline recorded
INCORRECT
3
Rhode Island
Smallest state with highest bills, zero room to grow, becoming harder to live in
◐ PARTIALLY ACCURATE - Housing crisis real (home prices up 9.6%), but not emptying out, slight population decline due to aging
MIXED
2
Montana
Too expensive and too empty at the same time, beautiful landscapes can't pay bills
◐ PARTIALLY ACCURATE - Housing crisis severe (fastest-growing housing market), but population still growing, not "empty"
MIXED
1
Maine
Dying towns, death rate outpaces births, running out of people, quiet collapse
✓ ACCURATE - Oldest state (median age 44.8), 23% over 65, genuine demographic crisis, worker shortages
CORRECT

Overall Video Accuracy: 4/9 States Correctly Described

Summary of Findings:

• Correctly Identified (4 states): Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, Maine - These states genuinely face the demographic and economic challenges described
• Incorrectly Characterized (3 states): North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware - These states are actually growing, contrary to video claims
• Mixed Accuracy (2 states): Rhode Island, Montana - Real challenges exist but not the "emptying out" narrative presented

Key Pattern: The video accurately identified states with genuine demographic crises (aging, economic transition) but incorrectly characterized several growing states as declining, suggesting a broader narrative that doesn't match demographic reality.

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Sources

Population and Demographic Data

1. U.S. Census Bureau. (2024, December). New 2024 Population Estimates Show Nation's Population Grew by About 1% to 340.1 Million Since 2023. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/12/population-estimates.html
2. Visual Capitalist. (2024, July 8). Charted: The Eight U.S. States With Population Declines in 2023. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-u-s-states-with-population-declines-2023/
3. North American Community Hub. (2025, April 9). Why Some US States Are Losing Population Rapidly 2025. https://northamericancommunityhub.com/us-states-losing-population-rapidly/
4. Newsweek. (2025, January 9). Population Map Shows States Growing, Shrinking Fastest in 2024. https://www.newsweek.com/population-map-shows-states-growing-shrinking-fastest-2024-2011559
5. The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2024, November 11). Population Growth in Most States Lags Long-Term Trends. https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2024/05/07/population-growth-in-most-states-lags-long-term-trends
6. The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2025, March 5). Population Growth in Most States Outpaced Long-Term Trends in 2024. https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2025/03/05/population-growth-in-most-states-outpaced-long-term-trends-in-2024
7. World Population Review. (2025). Population Decline by State 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/population-decline-by-state

Wyoming Coal Industry Data

8. WyoFile. (2024, January 3). Wyoming coal could be in for a rough year. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-coal-could-be-in-for-a-rough-2024/
9. WyoFile. (2024, May 9). Wyoming coal production nosedives, with more trouble ahead. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-coal-production-nosedives-with-more-trouble-ahead/
10. Cowboy State Daily. (2024, July 29). Wyoming Budget Could Take Big Hit With Coal Production Down 25%. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/07/29/wyoming-budget-could-take-big-hit-with-coal-production-down-25/
11. Cowboy State Daily. (2024, November 18). Barring "A Miracle," Wyoming Coal Will Miss 200M Tons For First Time Since 1992. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/11/17/barring-a-miracle-wyoming-coal-will-miss-200m-tons-for-first-time-since-1992/
12. Cowboy State Daily. (2024, April 30). Coal Production In Wyoming's Powder River Basin Falls 21%. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/04/29/coal-production-in-wyomings-powder-river-basin-falls-21/
13. County 17. (2025, April 8). U.S. coal production continues decades-long decline in 2024. https://county17.com/2025/04/08/u-s-coal-production-continues-decades-long-decline-in-2024/
14. Daily Montanan. (2024, May 13). Wyoming coal production nosedives, with more troubles ahead. https://dailymontanan.com/2024/05/13/wyoming-coal-production-nosedives-with-more-troubles-ahead/

Maine Demographics and Aging Population

15. Maine State Economist Office. (2024). Ageism Awareness Day 2024: Shifting Demographics & Contributions of Older Adults. https://www.maine.gov/dafs/economist/news/oct-09-24/ageism-awareness-day-2024-shifting-demographics-contributions-older-adults
16. Maine State Economist Office. (2025). 2024 Population Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Ethnicity. https://www.maine.gov/dafs/economist/node/301
17. Mainebiz. (2019). Maine's aging population is outpacing other states. https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/maines-aging-population-is-outpacing-other-states
18. Mainebiz. (2019, April 29). Maine's demographic challenge: The population is static — and getting older. https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/maines-demographic-challenge-the-population-is-static-and-getting-older
19. The Washington Post. (2019, August 15). Maine families face elder boom, worker shortage in preview of nation's future. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/this-will-be-catastrophic-maine-families-face-elder-boom-worker-shortage-in-preview-of-nations-future/2019/08/14/7cecafc6-bec1-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html
20. Portland Press Herald. Special Report: The Challenge of our Age. https://specialprojects.pressherald.com/aging/the-demographics-of-maine/
21. North American Community Hub. (2025, January 13). Maine's Population Growth in 2025 - Key Insights and Trends. https://nchstats.com/maine-population/

Delaware Demographics and Economy

22. Neilsberg. (2025). Delaware Population by Year - 2025 Update. https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/delaware-population-by-year/
23. WHYY. (2025, April 16). Delaware's aging population, shrinking workforce. https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-demographic-shifts-shrinking-workforce/
24. North American Community Hub. (2025, February 4). Delaware's Population in 2025 - Key Demographic Trends and Insights. https://nchstats.com/delaware-population/
25. World Population Review. (2025). Delaware Population 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/delaware

Rhode Island Housing and Demographics

26. Houzeo. (2025). Rhode Island Housing Market: Home Prices & Trends. https://www.houzeo.com/blog/rhode-island-real-estate-market/
27. Innago. (2024, August 13). Rhode Island Housing Market Trends & Forecast 2024. https://innago.com/rhode-island-housing-market-trends-forecast/
28. Norada Real Estate. (2024, October 26). Rhode Island Housing Market: Trends and Forecast 2024-2025. https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/rhode-island-housing-market/
29. Brown University School of Public Health. (2023). Rhode Island's Affordable Housing Crisis and Its Role in Determining Health. https://sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2023/11/04/rhode-islands-affordable-housing-crisis-and-its-role-in-determining-health/
30. Brown University School of Public Health. (2024). Pushed to the Margins: The Human Costs of a Growing Housing Crisis. https://sph.brown.edu/news/2024-10-08/pushed-margins-ri-homelessness
31. Lamacchia Realty. (2024, August 2). 2024 Rhode Island mid-year housing report. https://www.lamacchiarealty.com/2024-rhode-island-mid-year-report/
32. Roger Williams University. (2024, October 22). HousingWorks RI at RWU Releases 2024 Housing Fact Book. https://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/housingworks-ri-rwu-releases-2024-housing-fact-book

North Dakota and South Dakota Demographics

33. North Dakota Compass. (2025). Data Highlight - North Dakota Population Growth. https://www.ndcompass.org/trends/Data-Highlight/Data-Highlight.php
34. North Dakota Governor's Office. (2024). Armstrong: North Dakota sees continued growth with record population estimate of 796,568 in 2024. https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/armstrong-north-dakota-sees-continued-growth-record-population-estimate-796568-2024
35. World Population Review. (2025). North Dakota Population 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/north-dakota
36. Dakota Institute. (2024). Population Growth Slows Across the Region. https://www.dakotainstitute.org/research_analysis/population-growth-slows-across-the-region/
37. North American Community Hub. (2025, January 13). South Dakota Population in 2025 - Key Statistics and Insights. https://nchstats.com/south-dakota-population/
38. World Population Review. (2025). South Dakota Population 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/south-dakota

Montana Demographics and Housing Crisis

82. Montana Free Press. (2025, July 15). Typical Montana home value up 66% in four years. https://montanafreepress.org/2025/07/15/typical-montana-home-value-up-66-in-four-years/
83. Norada Real Estate. (2024, October 14). Montana Housing Market: Trends and Forecast 2024-2025. https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/montana-housing-market/
84. Strong Towns. (2025, May 20). Don't Look Now, But Montana Is Leading on Housing Policy. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025/5/13/dont-look-now-but-montana-is-leading-on-housing-policy
85. Montana Public Radio. (2024, April 25). Montana has the fastest growing housing market in the country, report shows. https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2024-04-23/montana-has-the-fastest-growing-housing-market-in-the-country-report-shows
86. Daily Montanan. (2024, December 26). Montana population growth continues slowing. https://dailymontanan.com/2024/12/26/montana-population-growth-continues-slowing/
87. Montana Free Press. (2025, June 4). Montana population growth slows, though some hot spots remain. https://montanafreepress.org/2025/06/04/montana-population-growth-slows-though-some-hot-spots-remain/
88. Flathead Beacon. (2024, December 26). Montana Growth Slows Again in 2024. https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/12/26/montana-growth-slows-again-in-2024/
89. Daily Montanan. (2024, December 6). The 'frozen' Montana housing market. https://dailymontanan.com/2024/12/04/the-frozen-montana-housing-market/
90. North American Community Hub. (2025, January 13). Montana Population: 13 Key Facts for 2025. https://nchstats.com/montana-population/
91. U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. production of all types of coal has declined over the past two decades. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64924
92. Cooper Center, University of Virginia. National 50-state population projections: 2030, 2040, 2050. https://www.coopercenter.org/research/national-50-state-population-projections-2030-2040-2050
93. Congressional Budget Office. (2025). The Demographic Outlook: 2025 to 2055. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61164
94. Resources for the Future. Wyoming's Energy Transformation: Insights from Federal Engagement with Coal Communities. https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/wyomings-energy-transformation/
95. Statista. (2024, September 9). Chart: The U.S. States Losing & Gaining Population. https://www.statista.com/chart/12484/population-growth-in-the-united-states-by-federal-state/
96. USAFacts. (2025). Maine population by year, county, race, & more. https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/population-and-demographics/our-changing-population/state/maine/

Why Half of America is Empty - NOBODY Wants to Live in These 9 EMPTY States - YouTube