Flathead County, Montana

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Flathead County
County
Flathead County Courthouse July 2020.jpg
Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell
Flathead County mt seal.jpg
Seal
Map of Montana highlighting Flathead County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana in United States.svg
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°17′N114°01′W / 48.29°N 114.02°W / 48.29; -114.02
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Montana.svg  Montana
Founded1893
Named for Flathead Indians
Seat Kalispell
Largest cityKalispell
Area
 • Total5,256 sq mi (13,610 km2)
 • Land5,088 sq mi (13,180 km2)
 • Water169 sq mi (440 km2)  3.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total104,357
 • Estimate 
(2022)
111,814 Increase2.svg
 • Density20/sq mi (7.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website flathead.mt.gov
  • Montana county number 07

Flathead County is in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2020 census, its population was 104,357, [1] making it the state's fourth most populous county. Its county seat is Kalispell. [2] Its numerical designation (used in the issuance of license plates) is 7. Its northern border is on the state's north border, making it contiguous with the Canada–US border, facing British Columbia.

Contents

Flathead County comprises the Kalispell, Montana Micropolitan Statistical Area, with neighboring Lake County following soon after.

History

Flathead County was founded in 1893. Some sources cite the supposed practice of the Salish tribe flattening infants' heads as the origin of the name Flathead, [3] but there is no record of Salish Indians ever having that appearance.

Geography

The county includes much of Flathead Lake, the Flathead Valley, and the Flathead River. These natural treasures were created by glacial activity which ended approximately 10,000 years ago. The Flathead Valley is the southern extension of a prominent valley called the Rockey Mountain Trench, which runs from the Yukon Territory in Canada as far south as Flathead Lake. The Trench in northwestern Montana was created by subsidence along a major extensional fault, which continues today. After the valley formed, glaciers flowing down the Trench from British Columbia, and into it from the surrounding mountain ranges left a flat valley floor and dammed the Flathead River drainage to create Flathead Lake. Several tribes have long used the Flathead Lake, and the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes are represented on the Flathead Reservation. The western part of Glacier National Park is located in the county.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,256 square miles (13,610 km2), of which 5,088 square miles (13,180 km2) is land and 169 square miles (440 km2) (3.2%) is water. [4] It is the third-largest county in Montana by land area and second-largest by total area.

Ecology

Wildlife includes bobcats, black bears, coyotes, deer, elk, grizzly bears, lynx, mountain lions, and wolves. [5]

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900 9,375—
1910 14,07950.2%
1920 21,70554.2%
1930 19,200−11.5%
1940 24,27126.4%
1950 31,49529.8%
1960 32,9654.7%
1970 39,46019.7%
1980 51,96631.7%
1990 59,21814.0%
2000 74,47125.8%
2010 90,92822.1%
2020 104,35714.8%
2022 (est.)111,814 [6] 7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9]
1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 104,357 people living in the county.[ citation needed ]

2010 census

The North Fork Road in Flathead County. N Fork.jpg
The North Fork Road in Flathead County.

As of the 2010 census, there were 90,928 people, 37,504 households, and 24,817 families living in the county. The population density was 17.9 inhabitants per square mile (6.9/km2). There were 46,963 housing units at an average density of 9.2 per square mile (3.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 28.1% were German, 15.0% were English, 14.8% were Irish, 9.3% were Norwegian, and 4.6% were American.

Of the 37,504 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40, and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 41.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,998, and the median income for a family was $53,940. Males had a median income of $39,767 versus $28,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,721. About 8.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Along with Yellowstone County (home to Billings), Flathead County is one of Montana's more populous counties that leans heavily Republican. It has last voted Democratic in 1964, and has voted over 60% Republican in every presidential election since 1996 save 2008.

United States presidential election results for Flathead County, Montana [11] [12] [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 38,32163.93%20,27433.82%1,3432.24%
2016 30,24063.67%13,29327.99%3,9638.34%
2012 28,30964.47%13,89231.64%1,7083.89%
2008 25,55958.43%16,13836.89%2,0474.68%
2004 26,01967.27%11,58729.96%1,0722.77%
2000 22,51966.55%8,32924.61%2,9918.84%
1996 16,54251.33%10,45232.43%5,23116.23%
1992 11,69937.24%9,74631.02%9,97131.74%
1988 14,46157.33%10,20240.44%5622.23%
1984 17,01265.93%8,31032.21%4811.86%
1980 15,10263.54%6,34926.71%2,3169.74%
1976 10,49455.69%7,82741.53%5242.78%
1972 10,41760.72%5,41231.55%1,3277.73%
1968 7,21551.54%5,25337.52%1,53210.94%
1964 6,32544.02%8,01555.78%300.21%
1960 7,55452.95%6,68946.88%240.17%
1956 8,08857.40%6,00342.60%00.00%
1952 7,37259.09%4,99440.03%1100.88%
1948 4,24046.12%4,54649.45%4074.43%
1944 4,06652.22%3,60846.34%1121.44%
1940 4,40345.06%5,21753.39%1511.55%
1936 2,46028.83%5,40863.38%6647.78%
1932 2,97838.76%4,02652.40%6798.84%
1928 4,09866.61%1,97232.05%821.33%
1924 2,54143.28%78813.42%2,54243.30%
1920 3,90059.26%2,24134.05%4406.69%
1916 2,91345.33%2,97846.34%5358.33%
1912 49314.93%1,10633.50%1,70251.56%
1908 1,83849.45%1,48039.82%39910.73%
1904 1,96964.54%86128.22%2217.24%
1900 1,10447.08%1,20151.22%401.71%
1896 41323.22%1,36076.45%60.34%

Infrastructure

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Adjacent counties

Education

High school districts include: [15]

Elementary school districts include: [15]

Flathead Valley Community College is a tertiary institution.

Notable people

Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry frequently cites the police blotter of the Flathead Beacon in Flathead County as a source of humorous material. It is written in a spare, surrealist style by local man Micah Drew, following the pattern set by earlier writers Christie Burns and Justin Franz.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake County, Montana</span> County in Montana, United States

Lake County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,134. Its county seat is Polson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glacier County, Montana</span> County in Montana, United States

Glacier County is located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,778. The county is located in northwestern Montana between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, known to the Blackfeet as the "Backbone of the World". The county is geographically and culturally diverse and includes the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park, and Lewis and Clark National Forest. The county is bordered by 75 miles of international boundary with two ports of entry open year-round and one seasonal international border crossing into Alberta, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bigfork, Montana</span> Unincorporated community in Montana, United States

Bigfork is a census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. It is within Montana's Rocky Mountains. The population was 5,118 at the 2020 census, up from 4,270 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia Falls, Montana</span> City in Montana, United States

Columbia Falls is a city along the Flathead River in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 5,308 at the 2020 census. Columbia Falls has been ranked as one of the best and safest places to live in Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evergreen, Montana</span> Unincorporated community in Montana, United States

Evergreen is a census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. Its population was 8,149 at the 2020 census, up from 7,616 at the 2010 census, and 6,215 in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalispell, Montana</span> City in Montana, United States

Kalispell is a city in Montana and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2020 census put Kalispell's population at 24,558. In Montana's northwest region, it is the largest city and the commercial center of the Kalispell Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name Kalispell is a Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somers, Montana</span> Unincorporated community in Montana, United States

Somers is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,049 at the 2020 census, nearly double from 556 in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitefish, Montana</span> City in Montana, United States

Whitefish is a city in Flathead County, Montana, United States. According to the 2020 United States Census, there were 7,751 people in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlo, Montana</span> Census-designated place in Montana, United States

Charlo is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Montana, United States. The population was 385 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finley Point, Montana</span> Census-designated place in Montana, United States

Finley Point is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Montana, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 480.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florence, Montana</span> Census-designated place in Montana, United States

Florence is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ravalli County, Montana. County Line Rd is on the northern edge of the city limits dividing it from Missoula County, Montana. The population was 821 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevensville, Montana</span> Town in Montana, United States

Stevensville is a town in Ravalli County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,002 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arlee, Montana</span> Census-designated place in Montana, United States

Arlee is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) on the Flathead Reservation, Lake County, Montana, United States. The population was 725 at the 2020 census. It is named after Alee, a Salish chief. The chief's name has no "r", as the Salish alphabet has no letter "r".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polson, Montana</span> Town in Montana, United States

Polson is a city in , United States, on the southern shore of Flathead Lake and within the Flathead Indian Reservation. The population was 5,148 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Lake County. In 1898 the city was named after pioneer rancher David Polson. It was incorporated in 1910.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronan, Montana</span> City in Montana, United States

Ronan is a city in Lake County, Montana, United States. It is on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The population was 1,955 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eureka, Montana</span> Town in Montana, United States

Eureka is a town in Lincoln County, Montana, United States, 9 miles (14 km) south of the Canada–US border. The population was 1,380 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flathead River</span> River in Montana, United States

The Flathead River, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana, originates in the Canadian Rockies to the north of Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake, then after a journey of 158 miles (254 km), empties into the Clark Fork. The river is part of the Columbia River drainage basin, as the Clark Fork is a tributary of the Pend Oreille River, a Columbia River tributary. With a drainage basin extending over 8,795 square miles (22,780 km2) and an average discharge of 11,380 cubic feet per second (322 m3/s), the Flathead is the largest tributary of the Clark Fork and constitutes over half of its flow.

The Flathead Valley is a region of the U.S. state located in the Northwestern Montana. It includes parts of Flathead County and Lake County. Notable communities include Kalispell, Bigfork, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Polson, Ronan, and St. Ignatius. The geography of the Flathead roughly corresponds to the valley where Flathead Lake is located, with two distinct ends – the northern Flathead Valley and the southern (lower) Flathead Valley. In addition to Flathead and Whitefish lakes, the area's proximity to attractions such as Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area have made the area a major summer and winter resort destination. Many outdoor activities can be pursued, including hiking, backpacking, boating, rafting, canoeing, skiing, hunting, and fly fishing. The lower Flathead Valley and the southern half of Flathead Lake are within the Flathead Indian Reservation and is home to the historic St. Ignatius Mission, founded in 1854.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p.  126.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ Long, Ben (March 6, 2020). "Finding a Middle Ground on Wolves and Wolf Management". Outdoor Life. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Our Campaigns - U.S. President" . Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Bob La Follette, received 2,537 votes, while the Workers Party candidate William Foster received 5 votes.
  14. ↑ Read, Richard (October 24, 2020). "Coronavirus bears down on a small Montana town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  15. 1 2 "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Flathead County, MT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/5). Retrieved March 13, 2024. - Text list

48°17′N114°01′W / 48.29°N 114.02°W / 48.29; -114.02

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