Anaconda NSP Homes | Homeword - Sustainable Communities for All

The Neighborhood

Anaconda is an old city by Montana standards and had a population of over 17,000 in 1900.  With that longevity comes a rich history and character that makes Anaconda-Deer Lodge County a unique community.  This former company town has an old housing stock with the majority located in high density, established neighborhoods. 

Anaconda’s population has decreased steadily from a maximum of 18,640 in 1960.  Half of the population left the area between 1960 and 2000 resulting in a population loss of nearly 10,000 people.  However, the decline in population has leveled off during the last decade with just a 1.3% decrease since 2000 resulting in a current population of 9,298. 

Like most neighborhoods in most communities, the residents of the historic Goosetown neighborhood, where this project is located, are a mixture of couples and singles, young people and seniors, renters and homeowners.  Likewise the properties are residential and commercial, well maintained and substandard, occupied and vacant, locally owned or owned by people outside of the county or state.  Many of the homes have had the same owners for 40 to 50 years, others are owned by those who grew up in the neighborhood and who’ve held on to the family home, or who have rented it rather than selling it.  Still others are owned by young people who see the modest homes as an affordable way to enter the housing market.  There are many substandard renter-occupied units with high turnover rates owned and managed by both local and absentee owners.  There are homes being rehabilitated while others sit vacant and falling into disrepair.