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For more information on the Livingston and Park County area, including things to do, places to see, and local events, please visit some of these other websites.

www.parkcounty.org

www.livingstonmt.com

www.livingston-chamber.com

www.montanainfo.org

www.state.mt.us

Livingston and Park County are a scenic paradise and home of the Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone River. Livingston offers galleries, restaurants, museums, shops, inns, and historic buildings along with a diverse economy. The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational opportunities, from fishing and horse back riding to camping, skiing, hiking, boating, swimming and much more. Livingston is a major gateway to Yellowstone national park and the only year-round entrance. Plan a visit around your favorite activities and come see why Park County is a great place to live.

406 AREA CODE

Unless listed differently, all telephone numbers in this directory will use a 406 area code and be a local call. Numbers listed with the 406 listing will be a long distance call from Livingston.

PARK COUNTY POPULATION
1990 - 14,484 1991 - 14,473
1992 - 14,712 1993 - 15,296
1994 - 15,652 1995 - 15,878
1996 - 16,029 1997 - 15,910
1998 - 15,829

LIVINGSTON POPULATION
1990 - 6701
1994 - 7414
1998 - 7500

PARK COUNTY REAL ESTATE
Since 1993 it is has been common place to hear coffee shop talk about the escalating real estate sales and prices. Ever since Park County was selected as the site for Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It, the price of real estate has increased about 30%. This may not be the sole reason for the increase, but as coincidence may have, that's when the increase took place.
One can only tour our area and realize that what we have is special and many people want an opportunity to be a part of our wonderful community and experience the grandeur of pristine water and land around us. Actually, the size of Livingston has been fairly stable for ten years, but the increase may be witnessed in our countryside.
Speaking of our countryside, Park County is largely agricultural and a few large ranches have been placed on conservation easements in order to maintain the land as its currently being used. A new development is the proposed Buffalo Hills Golf Course which is just outside of Chico Hot Springs and the land is currently being transformed into a world class golf course. This is to be a high-end golf course and only for those who can afford hefty building site prices and club dues.
When a new or potential property owner may ask, "What is there to do around here?" It does not take much individual creativity to realize we are surrounded by all forms of entertainment. Granted some of your entertainment may take effort (hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, etc.), but for the leisure seeker, Park County is full of performing arts, art galleries, and actually the feeling of a much larger community for entertainment.

CLIMATE
As usual in a very mountainous area, precipitation varies considerably with elevation and character of exposure. In Livingston and on the valley floors precipitation is generally lightest during winter months and heaviest during the spring and early summer. This pattern of the wettest months occurring during the first part of the growing season is very favorable for day land farming and stock raising. The growing season ranges from 80 to 100 days.
In general terms, the climate of the Livingston area may be described as a modified continental type with that modification effect being quite strong.
A January monthly average temperature of 23 degrees F is relatively mild for the area's latitude and elevation. The wind averages speeds of 16 MPH in the summer months and 21 MPH in the winter.
Summers are generally pleasant. Warm days and cool nights with an occasional afternoon thundershower make up the usual summer weather pattern. The warmest month is July with the average temperature of 82 degrees. Oppressive humidity is rare and dense fog usually occurs only on spring and fall mornings. Most summer rain falls as showers and is sometimes accompanied by thunder, lightning and hail. A steady gentle rain often occurs in late spring and early summer with the area receiving about 12-14 inches annually. The annual precipitation in 1995 was 15.64 inches and the length of the growing season is 103 days. The average annual frost-free days is 116 days.
Winters generally have cold spells, sometimes reaching -30 degrees F, but it is during the winter that the remarkable warming effects of the Yellowstone Chinook winds are noted. Although these winds can become strong at times, they often produce temperature rises of as much as 50-60 degrees in 24 hours. Cold air inversions occur a few times each winter, but they are short lived in the face of the south-southwest winds that develop a day or two later. Average snow fall is 43.8 inches.
 

RELOCATING YOUR BUSINESS
Making a decision to move your business some place else isn't easy. The Park County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) was formed in 1986 to help existing businesses, new business start-ups and business relocation. There are a variety of financing programs for businesses of different sizes and types to help finance your plans.
The state offers a number of programs designed to encourage new jobs and raise the standard of living for Montana; numerous federal and local opportunities are also available for financial assistance. The PCEDC can help you explore your option since their staff works closely with the Small Business Administration, Economic Development Administration, Farmers Home Administration and the Housing and Urban Development plus other state and federal agencies.

Montana-Based Financing programs:
Montana Board of Investments
Montana Science and Technology Alliance
Montana Community Development Block Grant
Microbusiness Development Loan
Montana Growth Through Agriculture
Call 222-7227 for the Park County Economic
Development Corporation

LICENSES

Driver's License
When you move from another state, you have 90 days to get a Montana Driver's license. To get a license, you must be 16 years of age. If a driver has taken Driver's Education at 14 1/2, they may get a license at 15. You must renew your license within 90 days after your birthday expiration date on license without retaking the test. Call 222-4160 for more information.

License plates
You must register and title your vehicle within 90 days of your move, or when you start employment in Montana. Call 222-4120 for more information.

Dogs
Must be leashed the year round. Rabies certificate must be presented and license purchased by Jan 1. Fee $10.00 for spayed or neutered, otherwise $20.00

Fishing
All anglers 15 years of age or older must possess a Montana fishing license, obtainable at sporting goods stores, come general stores and service stations, and all offices of the Montana Department of fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). A conservation license is required of both residents and nonresidents before a fishing license may be purchased. Licenses are non-transferrable and nonrefundable. The license year runs March 1 through February of the following year.
Montana also required recreationists 12 years of age and older to possess a State Land Recreational use License when recreating on state-owned lands. These licenses are available from FWP license vendors.
For a complete description of license requirements, fees, fishing regulations and restrictions governing recreation on state lands, contact a FWP office.

Hunting
Various types of Hunting licenses may be obtained by writing fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attention: License Section, PO Box 200701,
Helena, Montana 59620-0701. (406) 444-2950

VOTING IN MONTANA

Completion of a voter registration form is required to vote in Montana. Forms must be obtained at the Clerk and Recorder's Office, call 222-4110 for more information.