At this point, the real story might be WHEN this Montana city no longer leads a list as the state's "drunkest city", not that it HAS.

For nearly 20 years, it seems like every list that analyzes alcohol consumption across the United States singles out one Montana city in particular for binging on the most booze.

It seems like it's time for some other location to hold the glass.

Where is Montana's "drunkest city"

The financial website 24/7 Wall Street, or more specifically the section known as 24/7 Tempo, analyzed the latest numbers contained in the 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps to find out.

The core of the report comes from the University of Wisconsin Public Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, so there's legitimacy here. It's not just looking at Google search results.

And to no one's real surprise, Missoula topped the dubious list as the state's "drunkest city."

How drunk is Missoula?

According to the numbers, 24.9% of Missoula's 121,000 residents "drink excessively." That compares with the already high statewide average of 23.9%, which is the third highest of all states.

That might just be celebrated as typical notoriety for a university "party town", which is the case for many of the top cities on the nationwide list.

But it's sobering when you consider Missoula County has a rate of over 34% for countywide driving deaths involving alcohol. At least that's better than the state average of more than 46%.

RELATED: Driver busted for his 6th DUI in Missoula

What about Bozeman drinking?

A legit question headed into the 'Cat-Griz craziness. The same data shows Gallatin County's excessive drinking rate is also high, 27% when considered countywide (Missoula County as a whole is 25%).

READ MORE: Summary of Montana Alcohol Use

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