Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County is in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2010 United States Census, its population was 90,928,[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.

Flathead County
U.S. county
Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°17′N 114°01′W
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1893
Named forFlathead Indians
SeatKalispell
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
 (2010)
 • Total90,928
 • Estimate 
(2019)
103,806
 • Density17/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websiteflathead.mt.gov
 
  • Montana county number 07

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

History

Flathead County was founded in 1893. It contains much of Flathead Lake, the Flathead Valley, and the Flathead River. These natural treasures, originated by glaciers, are named for the unique geological formation of a broad flat valley surrounded by mountains at the head of a deep glacial lake. 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. Several tribes have long used the magnificent Flathead Lake, and the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes are represented on the Flathead Reservation.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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. The western part of Glacier National Park is located in the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[5][6]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 63.9% 38,321 33.8% 20,274 2.2% 1,343
2016 63.7% 30,240 28.0% 13,293 8.3% 3,963
2012 64.5% 28,309 31.6% 13,892 3.9% 1,708
2008 58.4% 25,559 36.9% 16,138 4.7% 2,047
2004 67.3% 26,019 30.0% 11,587 2.8% 1,072
2000 66.6% 22,519 24.6% 8,329 8.8% 2,991
1996 51.3% 16,542 32.4% 10,452 16.2% 5,231
1992 37.2% 11,699 31.0% 9,746 31.7% 9,971
1988 57.3% 14,461 40.4% 10,202 2.2% 562
1984 65.9% 17,012 32.2% 8,310 1.9% 481
1980 63.5% 15,102 26.7% 6,349 9.7% 2,316
1976 55.7% 10,494 41.5% 7,827 2.8% 524
1972 60.7% 10,417 31.6% 5,412 7.7% 1,327
1968 51.5% 7,215 37.5% 5,253 11.0% 1,532
1964 44.0% 6,325 55.8% 8,015 0.2% 30
1960 53.0% 7,554 46.9% 6,689 0.2% 24
1956 57.4% 8,088 42.6% 6,003 0.0% 0
1952 59.1% 7,372 40.0% 4,994 0.9% 110
1948 46.1% 4,240 49.5% 4,546 4.4% 407
1944 52.2% 4,066 46.3% 3,608 1.4% 112
1940 45.1% 4,403 53.4% 5,217 1.6% 151
1936 28.8% 2,460 63.4% 5,408 7.8% 664
1932 38.8% 2,978 52.4% 4,026 8.8% 679
1928 66.6% 4,098 32.1% 1,972 1.3% 82
1924 43.3% 2,541 13.4% 788 43.3% 2,542[7]
1920 59.3% 3,900 34.1% 2,241 6.7% 440
1916 45.3% 2,913 46.3% 2,978 8.3% 535
1912 14.9% 493 33.5% 1,106 51.6% 1,702
1908 49.5% 1,838 39.8% 1,480 10.7% 399
1904 64.5% 1,969 28.2% 861 7.2% 221
1900 47.1% 1,104 51.2% 1,201 1.7% 40
1896 23.2% 413 76.5% 1,360 0.3% 6

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19009,375—
191014,07950.2%
192021,70554.2%
193019,200−11.5%
194024,27126.4%
195031,49529.8%
196032,9654.7%
197039,46019.7%
198051,96631.7%
199059,21814.0%
200074,47125.8%
201090,92822.1%
2019 (est.)103,806[8]14.2%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 74,471 people, 29,588 households, and 20,415 families living in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 34,773 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 1.15% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.7% were of German, 11.3% Irish, 11.0% Norwegian, 10.3% English and 9.1% United States or American ancestry.

There were 29,588 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.90% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,466, and the median income for a family was $40,702. Males had a median income of $31,908 versus $20,619 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,112. About 9.40% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 90,928 people, 37,504 households, and 24,817 families living in the county.[14] 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).[15] 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.[14] 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.[16]

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.[14]

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.[17]

The North Fork Road in Flathead County.

Infrastructure
  • Kalispell Regional Medical Center is the county's largest hospital.[18]
  • North Valley Hospital is located in Whitefish
  • Flathead County Library System has 4 locations:
      • Bigfork
      • Columbia Falls
      • Kalispell
      • Marion
    • Whitefish Library is separate
  • Flathead County Solid Waste (Landfill) is located between Kalispell and Whitefish
  • There are 16 Fire Districts and 3 Fire Service Areas
  • There are 6 High Schools including private
  • There are 21 Public School Districts
  • Legislature
    • 3 County Commissioner Districts
    • 11 House Districts
    • 7 Senate Districts

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 Justin Franz, following the pattern set by earlier writer Christie Burns.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  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". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  5. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  6. "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  7. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Bob La Follette, received 2,537 votes, while the Workers Party candidate William Foster received 5 votes.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  18. Read, Richard (October 24, 2020). "Coronavirus bears down on a small Montana town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2020.

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