MarketFlathead County, Montana
Company Profile

Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2020 census, its population was 104,357, making it the state's fourth most populous county. Its county seat is Kalispell. Its numerical designation is 7. Its northern border is on the state's north border, making it contiguous with the Canada–US border, facing British Columbia.

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, but there is no record of Salish Indians ever having that appearance. ==Geography==
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 Rocky 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 , of which is land and (3.2%) is water. 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. National protected areasPacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part) • Flathead National Forest (part) • Glacier National Park (part) • Kootenai National Forest (part) • Lolo National Forest (part) • Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge ==Demographics==
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 104,357. Of the residents, 21.9% were under the age of 18 and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.9 years. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males. 48.5% of residents lived in urban areas and 51.5% lived in rural areas. The racial makeup of the county was 90.7% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from some other race, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.2% of the population. There were 42,481 households in the county, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 49,875 housing units, of which 14.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.7% were owner-occupied and 28.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%. 2010 census 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 . There were 46,963 housing units at an average density of . 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==
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. ==Infrastructure==
Infrastructure
Kalispell Regional Medical Center is the county's largest hospital. • North Valley Hospital is located in Whitefish • Flathead County Library System has 4 locations: • • 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 ==Communities==
Communities
CitiesColumbia FallsKalispell (county seat) • Whitefish Census-designated placesBataviaBigforkCoramEssexEvergreenForest Hill VillageHelena FlatsHungry HorseKilaLakesideLittle Bitterroot LakeMarionMartin CityNiaradaOlneyPinnaclePolebridgeRhodesSnowslipSomersWest Glacier Other unincorporated communitiesApgar VillageLake McDonald Adjacent countiesRegional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia – north • Waterton Lakes National Park (Improvement District No. 4), Alberta – northeast • Glacier County – east • Pondera County – east • Teton County – east • Lewis and Clark County – southeast • Powell County – southeast • Missoula County – southeast • Lake County – south • Sanders County – southwest • Lincoln County – west ==Education==
Notable people
Joe Bereta, member of the sketch comedy duo Barats and Bereta based in Spokane, Washington. Currently co-hosts SourceFed on YouTube. • Frank Hagel, Western art painter • Phil Jackson, NBA coach and player • Dorothy M. Johnson, writer of Westerns • Daniel Parker, wildlife sculptor • Maury Povich, talk show host known for his TV show MauryKeith Regier, Montana state senator • Alice Ritzman, LPGA golf professional • Derek Skees, Montana state representative • Michelle Williams, actress ==In popular culture==
In popular culture
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. ==See also==
tickerdossier.comtickerdossier.substack.com