Southeastern Montana
One District. Many Communities.
Montana House District 42 includes communities in Big Horn County and Yellowstone County — a region defined by the Crow Indian Reservation, the Bighorn River valley, wide-open plains, and the working ranches and small towns of southeastern Montana.
About the District
Big Horn County and Yellowstone County
Montana House District 42 spans communities in both Big Horn County and Yellowstone County in southeastern Montana. The district is defined by the official Montana legislative district map maintained by the Montana Secretary of State.
Big Horn County is the largest county in Montana by land area and is home to the Crow Indian Reservation — the largest reservation in Montana. The county's economy is anchored by agriculture (cattle ranching, hay production, and dryland farming), energy production, and tribal economic activity.
The district also includes portions of Yellowstone County, which contains the city of Billings — Montana's largest city and a regional hub for healthcare, commerce, and transportation. This connection to the Billings metropolitan area is important for HD 42 residents who travel to Billings for healthcare, employment, and services.
Communities
Communities Within HD 42
Crow Agency
Big Horn County
Headquarters of the Crow Nation; seat of tribal government
Lodge Grass
Big Horn County
Community on the Crow Reservation along the Little Bighorn River
Wyola
Big Horn County
Rural community in the southern part of the district
Pryor
Big Horn County
Community near the Pryor Mountains, on the Crow Reservation
Hardin
Big Horn County
County seat of Big Horn County; largest city in the county
Billings area
Yellowstone County
Portions of the Billings metropolitan area within the HD 42 boundary
The official HD 42 boundary is defined by the Montana Secretary of State. This list includes verified communities within or adjacent to the district. For the exact boundary, consult the official legislative district map.
What Makes HD 42 Unique
A Diverse and Complex District
House District 42 combines reservation communities, agricultural and ranching areas, rural communities, and portions of the Billings metropolitan area. This diversity makes the district's legislative needs particularly broad.
Reservation communities on the Crow Indian Reservation involve tribal sovereignty, tribal government, Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, and the complex intersection of federal, tribal, state, and local jurisdiction. Issues like public safety, land management, water rights, and economic development have dimensions that are unique to Indian Country.
Agricultural and ranching areas depend on rural roads, water rights, commodity markets, and the regulatory environment for farming and ranching. Big Horn County's agricultural economy is anchored by cattle ranching and hay production.
Rural communities face challenges including limited healthcare access, long travel distances, broadband gaps, workforce shortages, and the economic pressures of rural life in Montana.
Connections to Billings are important for healthcare, employment, commerce, and transportation. The condition of transportation corridors between southeastern Montana and Billings affects quality of life for HD 42 residents.
Key Issues
Issues Especially Relevant to HD 42
Official District Map
The official Montana legislative district map is maintained by the Montana Secretary of State and the Montana Legislature. For the exact HD 42 boundary, visit the official sources below.