A Look at Where Cascade County Housing Demand is Coming From—and Why

As housing demand continues to shift, Cascade County is capturing attention from home shoppers far beyond its borders. New data from Realtor.com’s Q4 2024 Cross-Market Demand Report reveals that a staggering 85% of listing views for homes in Cascade County are coming from outside the county - and most of those are from out of state.

This growing wave of interest highlights Cascade County’s rising profile as both a relocation destination and an investment opportunity, driven by affordability, lifestyle, and a sense of open space that’s harder to come by in more saturated markets.

The Breakdown: Where Cascade County Housing Demand Is Coming From

According to the report, 63.3% of views came from other states, 22.6% came from elsewhere within Montana, 11.7% were from international sources, and just 2.5% of viewers were located within Cascade County itself. That means more than eight in ten people searching for Cascade County homes are looking in from somewhere else, offering powerful insight into who is shopping here, and why.

Out-of-State Interest: Wide and Westward

Among out-of-state viewers, Maricopa County, Arizona leads the way with 21.2% of the total view share - by far the highest of any single county. The Phoenix metro area has long been a hot spot for migration, but rising prices and extreme heat may be prompting Arizonans and snow birds to look north.

Following Maricopa are Salt Lake County, Utah and Arapahoe County, Colorado, each contributing 3.1% of views. Cook County, Illinois and King County, Washington follow closely behind at 2.8%, while Denver County, Colorado adds another 2.7%. Los Angeles County, California accounts for 2.5%, with El Paso County, Colorado, Dallas County, Texas, and New York County, New York rounding out the top ten sources of interest.

These regions represent a mix of high-cost urban areas and high-growth western metros, suggesting that buyers are drawn to Cascade County for its affordability, outdoor lifestyle, and growing market potential.

Montana Moves: In-State Shoppers Eye Cascade County

While the spotlight is on national attention, in-state interest is nothing to overlook. Nearly a quarter of all views come from within Montana, indicating that local buyers are also seeing potential in Cascade County.

Gallatin County accounts for 14.6% of in-state views, followed by Yellowstone County at 12.4%, Lewis and Clark County at 12.2%, and Missoula County at 11.4%. Flathead County is not far behind at 10.5%, with smaller portions coming from Silver Bow, Teton, Ravalli, Custer, and Hill Counties.

These are some of Montana’s fastest-growing and most competitive real estate markets. Whether it’s due to rising costs, overgrowth, or a desire for a new pace of life, shoppers from across the state are setting their sights on Central Montana.

What It All Means for Cascade County

This cross-market demand highlights a big opportunity, and a shift in perception. Cascade County is no longer just a local market; it’s part of a much larger nationwide housing market.

With increased exposure comes potential, not only for new housing development and investment in infrastructure, but also creative approaches to meet the needs of both new arrivals and long-time residents. Understanding where the demand is coming from helps pave the way for thoughtful growth in Cascade County, allowing community leaders, developers, and residents to make informed decisions about housing, infrastructure, and the future of the region.