Creating a Livable Community

Working individuals and families are the heart beat of Big Sky, but each year it becomes more challenging to make a life here as housing and childcare costs climb. When our middle income families and essential workers cannot afford to live here, the fabric of our community frays. Big Sky leaders are committed to addressing the livability challenges for this ‘missing middle’.

Current Focus Areas: Childcare & Housing

Childcare

Parent labor force participation is significantly higher in Big Sky than in neighboring communities. Big Sky childcare taskforce is assessing the high demand for affordable, consistent childcare and engaging with local employers and leaders to make a realistic action plan with a top priority of retaining local working families.

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Housing

Working individuals and families are the heartbeat of Big Sky, but each year it becomes more challenging to make a life here as housing costs climb. Elevate Big Sky is currently focused on addressing complex issues of affordable housing.

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Childcare

$1,733

is average monthly childcare cost for Big Sky families, representing 16.2% of their median income; (recommended national average is no more than 7%).

79%

of two-parent families have both parents in the labor force; compared to Gallatin County at 65% or Madison County at 57%.

84% of Big Sky’s population is part of the labor force, compared to Gallatin County at 71% or Madison County at 54%.
96% of women with children participate in the labor force in Big Sky, compared to Gallatin County at 66%.
73% of respondents reported that their ability to work has been affected due to the limited childcare options in the area.
Primary barriers to childcare: cost, hours of operations, waitlist, location, quality.

Community Solutions

Big Sky Childcare Taskforce published Big Sky Childcare Report in October 2023.

Next steps include creating a needs-informed action plan to address identified barriers to care including: cost, hours of operations unique to service industry within resort community and capacity for increased number of children, from infant through pre-school preparedness.

View Report

Housing

$2,450,000

(2022)

is the median price for a single family home, compared to $960,000 in 2019

$1,182,500

(2022)

is the median price for a nonluxury condo, compared to $429,255 in 2019

At 7% interest rates, a household income of $469,000 would be needed to purchase a home priced at $2.2M.
That household income is 454% Average Median Income (AMI) and assumes 20% down payment, insurance, HOA, etc. 35% of income goes to housing.
The downpayment for this home would be $440k.
Big Sky needs 437 community housing units by 2027; 306 units should be “below market” – households making less than 250% AMI
Currently 0% vacancy for long-term rentals.