Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell

Seal
Map of Montana highlighting Flathead County
Location in the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location in the U.S.
Founded 1893
Named for Flathead Indians
Seat Kalispell
Largest city Kalispell
Area
 • Total 5,256 sq mi (13,613 km2)
 • Land 5,088 sq mi (13,178 km2)
 • Water 169 sq mi (438 km2), 3.2%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 96,165
 • Density 18/sq mi (7/km²)
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website flathead.mt.gov

Flathead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 90,928,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in Montana. Its county seat is Kalispell.[2] The numerical designation for Flathead County (used in the issuance of license plates) is 7. It is south from the Canada–US border of British Columbia.

Flathead County comprises the Kalispell, Montana Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Flathead County was founded in 1893. It contains much of Flathead Lake, the Flathead Valley, and the Flathead River. All of 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 made use of the magnificent Flathead Lake, and the Bitterroot 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

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
Est. 201596,165[5]5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 74,471 people, 29,588 households, and 20,415 families residing 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.

In the county the population was spread out with 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 residing in the county.[11] 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).[12] 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.[11] 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.[13]

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.[11]

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.[14]

Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry frequently cites the police blotter of Flathead County as a source of humorous material.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other communities

Notable residents


See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  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. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  13. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  14. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
 Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia, Canada Glacier County
Lincoln County Pondera County
Teton County
   Flathead County, Montana  
Sanders County Lake County Lewis and Clark County
Powell County
Missoula County

Coordinates: 48°17′N 114°01′W / 48.29°N 114.02°W / 48.29; -114.02

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