The city of Havre sits among the golden wheat fields and majestic mountains of Big Sky Country and is just 43 miles south of the Canadian border. Known as the “crown jewel of the Hi-Line,” because it has Montana's northernmost railway, its blend of historical significance and outdoor adventure makes it a place full of discovery. In fact, its richly detailed historical tapestry spans thousands of years. In its early days, indigenous people hunted the millions of bison that roamed the lands at the Wahkpa Chug’n Buffalo Jump. At the turn of the twentieth century, fires destroyed much of the city’s business facades, forcing owners to move their businesses underground (where they remain a popular attraction today.) Industrialization transformed Havre with the introduction of railroads. Trains were able to get supplies to local trappers, miners and the military. To this day, the Burlington Santa Fe Railroad is one of the city’s largest employers, along with Northern Montana Health Care system and Havre Public Schools.
Havre holds a special place in the hearts of its community members. "This is my home, and my kids love it here too. Havre is not perfect, but it’s a great place to visit, stay, play and live. Working here is great too, because it’s small enough to make many meaningful connections across industries, and there are a lot of opportunities to collaborate," says Shelli Sayers, a resident and member of the Havre Chamber of Commerce. "Granted, we still have gaps to fill and problems to solve, but we have so many people, groups, businesses and organizations invested in the community who work to address those challenges."
Highway 87 has stunning views of surrounding mountain ranges in Havre.
St Jude's Catholic Church is a historic building of prayer for residents in Havre.
Pepin Park has large open space for residents to enjoy in Havre.
Havre is an agriculture and industrial suburban neighborhood in northern Montana.
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Fun under the sun in Big Sky Country
Havre is no exception to Montana’s famed wealth of outdoor recreation. There are 18 city parks, as well as two golf courses and an indoor hockey rink. An indoor pool with a splash pad is slated to open in the spring of 2025. The Bear Paw Mountains – affectionately known by the locals as the Bear Paws for their distinctive shape – contain pristine lakes and sloping hills. At the foothills of the Bear Paws is Beaver Creek Park, the largest county park in the United States. Dappled with grasslands, streams and rocky cliffs, its sprawling 10,000 acres are open to activities like camping, hiking and fishing.
It's common to see residents enjoying afternoon walks in Havre.
Havre is full of families playing under the sun even in winter.
Pepin park has a large playground for residents to enjoy in Havre.
It's common to see loads of dogs playing in Havre.
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Havre's residential areas
Home styles in Havre range from compact one- and two-bedroom properties to midcentury modern and Craftsmans with more bedrooms. Constructions primarily date as far back as the 1940s and 1950s. The median price for a single-family home is $240,000 and properties will sit on the market for 110 days on average.
Craftsman style homes decorate the streets in Havre.
It's common to find homes in Havre with large open space around them.
Small cozy Craftsman style homes are abundant in Havre.
Havre is full of apartments on top of retail stores.
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Havre fills the calendar with events
Residents can look forward to fun events in Havre every year, especially in the summertime. Every June, the Bear Paw Marathon begins at Beaver Creek Park and ends at the Montana State University (MSU) campus. The Great Northern Fair runs for several days in July. Sounds on the Square features a different musical act at the town square every Wednesday from June to August. The first weekend of August is when the Rocky Boy Pow Wow takes place, celebrating the rich cultural traditions of the local Chippewa Cree Tribe. Summer in the city concludes with Festival Days, a multi-day celebration with a parade, food vendors and various special activities.
Shopping commercial and local in Havre
Havre’s Historic Downtown District shows the character that resounds from its heyday. From laidback spots and shops to upscale steakhouses and craft breweries, the city has unique restaurants and local businesses. Triple Dog Brewing Company is Havre’s sole brewery, locally owned and operated, and every beer is made at home. The Holiday Village Mall has multiple spots to shop and dine. The mall also doubles as a venue for events like craft shows, tournaments and holiday festivities.
Stella's Smoothies and Panini's offers delicious lunch options in Havre.
Holiday Village is a one stop shop for residents in Havre.
Dunham's Sports offers all the sporting goods you could need in Havre.
Triple dog serves delicious local beers to residents in Havre.
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Public and higher education for Havre students
The city’s education system is powered by Havre Public Schools, which is not rated by Niche. Montana State University-Northern (MSU) has a campus in Havre. The public four-year university offers numerous programs in many concentrations, combining technology and liberal arts education.
Montana State University is full of unique sculptures made from previous students in Havre.
Montana State University offers higher end education to students in Havre.
Havre High School offers a large campus for students in Havre.
Havre High School has a large football for students to play in.
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Highway access, rail service and public transportation
The city is right by U.S. Highway 2, which extends from Idaho to North Dakota and also bypasses the Rocky Mountains and the southern border of Glacier National Park. Nearby, U.S. Highway 87 spans from northern Montana to south Texas. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway largely runs parallel to Highway 2, providing another travel option with scenic views, while Amtrak provides more rail transportation. Northern Montana Transit supplies public buses for Havre residents. The Havre Airport offers commercial flights to and from Billings, Montana,
Climate trends and crime rates for Havre
Havre enjoys mild temperatures and distinctly beautiful four seasons each year. Autumn particularly brings out vibrant colors and rich foliage to the landscape. Winter can bring snow. In fact, Havre averages about 33 inches of snow a year. It should be noted, however, that First Street data shows a moderate wildfire risk and a major air quality risk for the city. According to data submitted to the FBI, the Havre Police Department reported a 15% decrease in violent crime and a 21% increase in property crime from 2022 to 2023.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
