Flathead County

county

Flathead County, Montana

Overview

Geography

Region: Northwest Montana
Total Area: 5,256 sq mi
Land Area: 5,088 sq mi
Water Area: 169 sq mi
Latitude: 48.2339
Longitude: -114.3389
Climate: Warm-summer humid continental climate with long, cold, and moderately snowy winters, and hot and dry summers.
Notable Features: Flathead Lake · Flathead Valley · Flathead River · Glacier National Park (western part)
Neighboring Areas: Lincoln County (West) · Sanders County (extreme southwestern corner) · Glacier County (East) · Pondera County (East) · Teton County (East) · Lewis and Clark (Southeast) · Lake County (South)

Demographics

Population (2020): 104,357
Est. Population (2024): 114,527
Median Age: 42.1
Median Income: $71,327
Poverty Rate: 9.57%
Owner-Occupied: 74%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: 90.7% White, 3.5% Hispanic, 3.5% Two or More Races.

U.S. Congress

Education

School Districts: Bigfork School District #38 · Cayuse Prairie School District #10 · Columbia Falls School District #6 · Creston School District #9 · Deer Park School District #2 · Evergreen School District #50 · Fair-Mont-Egan School District #3 · Helena Flats School District #15 · Kalispell School District #5 · Kila School District #20 · Marion School District #54 · Olney-Bissell School District #58 · Pleasant Valley School District #27 · Smith Valley School District #89 · Somers School District # 29 · Swan River School District #4 · West Glacier School District #8 · West Valley School District #1 · Whitefish School District #44
Colleges & Universities: Flathead Valley Community College

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Glacier National Park · Flathead Lake · Flathead National Forest · Whitefish Mountain Resort · Hungry Horse Reservoir
Parks & Trails: Herron Park · Foy's to Blacktail Trail · Parkline Trail · Great Northern Trail

History

Founded: 1893
Named After: Flathead Native American tribe
Historical Significance: Historically significant for its natural resources, Native American heritage, and role in the development of Northwest Montana.
Key Events: Establishment of Flathead Indian Reservation (1855) · Completion of Northern Pacific Railroad to Ravalli (1883) · Founding of Kalispell (1891)