Flathead Outpacing Most Montana Counties in Population Growth

The county added an estimated 1,241 people from 2014 to 2015

By // // News & Features

Flathead County continues to grow at a faster rate than all but one other large county in Montana, according to the latest population data released last month by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Though the growth rate is modest at 1.5 percent annually, Flathead ranks as the second fastest growing large county in the state behind only Gallatin County, which is among the fastest growing in the nation.

The population gains in Flathead and Gallatin are following the counties’ recent success as the top two economic performers in the state.

Flathead County added an estimated 1,241 people from July of 2014 to July of 2015, according to the Census Bureau. It marked the third year in a row of noteworthy population gains after three years of stalled growth during the recession.

Flathead has gained an estimated 4,473 people since the summer of 2012, pushing the population to 96,165.

While the county has an aging population that continues to grow, there is also an infusion of youth. A total of 686 babies were born last year at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, according to hospital officials. The previous year, 644 babies were born. The long-term annual average is 500.

An estimated 17 percent of the county is 65 or older.

Gallatin County, fueled by impressive economic gains in a variety of industries, including technology and construction, gained an estimated 3,500 people from 2014 to 2015. The remarkable population spike of 3.6 percent pushed the county over 100,000 people. Only three other counties in the Northern Rockies are growing faster.

Among the state’s largest counties, Missoula ranked just behind Flathead at 1.5 percent growth last year and Yellowstone County hit 0.9 percent.

Among Northwest Montana counties, Lake County grew by 358 people from 2014 to 2015 and has an estimated population of 29,467; Lincoln County lost an estimated 73 people and hit 19,052; Sanders County lost an estimated 28 people and hit 11,336; and Glacier County lost 49 people for a total of 13,647.

Montana added an estimated 9,370 people from 2014 to 2015, according to government data. The state had an estimated population of 1,032,949, seventh smallest among all states.

 

 

Flathead County Profile

2015 Population Estimate: 96,165 (+1,241 over 2014)

Median Household Income: $46,858

Individuals Below Poverty Level: 13.7%

High School Graduate or Higher: 93.6%

Health Insurance Coverage: 81%

Median Housing Value: $226,700

Housing Units: 47,184

Number of Companies: 13,592

Employed Residents: 41,486 (+222 over last 12 months)

Nonseasonal Unemployment Rate (in March): 7.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Division.

 

Flathead County Population Growth

Year    Population     Change Since Previous Year

2005   83,320            (+2,073)

2006   85,759            (+2,439)

2007   88,245            (+2,486)

2008   90,260           (+2,015)

2009   90,910            (+650)

2010   90,928            (+18)

2011   91,222             (+320)

2012   91,692            (+470)

2013   93,125            (+1,433)

2014   94,924            (+1,799)

2015  96,165              (+1,241)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Division. Population figures between 2004-10 were verified through the 2010 Census. The figures since 2011 are estimates.

  • Fast

    Must be job’s here for the progressives – not the Dorkers 👅

  • I arrived in Kalispell on August 12, 2012.
    I had never spent time in Montana – though I had passed through stunningly beautiful
    St. Regis and knew that someday, somehow, I would return.

    I learned that an incredible preacher and supposed “Man-of-God” lived in Kalispell,
    and hoped to share great spiritual wisdom and insight with him. The fact that he
    was a de-frocked Catholic “priest”, only added to his legitimacy.
    Soon after my arrival, I learned he was actually a millionaire who lives on Whitefish
    Lake, and had worked closely with the FBI. So much for the “Man-of-God”

    Still, I quickly was blessed to meet some incredible Human-Beings in the most
    unlikely of places. One would tell me, I would DIE camping-out in the Flathead -with no
    supplies- in the Winter. So, of course Instead I THRIVED during 4 subsequent winters.
    -9, -15, 3-feet of snow, WHATEVER. The other night I watched the most excellent
    film “The Revenant” and had to walk-away – much too close to home.

    Anyway, due to State and local civic, business, and media “leaders”, I will
    soon permanently depart The Flathead and Montana.
    Unfortunately, severe and lasting consequences MUST be expected.
    Merely, a well-deserved microcosm for “America”.
    As we you to say, in the streets: See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya.

    • Doubting Thomas

      Are you talking about Corapi? We don’t want your God Bothering anymore than his or Luskos or any of the other nutters.

      • Firstly, as my countless readers at various-sites nationwide are well aware:
        It is on a rare-occassion that I respond to semi-literate, non-sensical,
        word-drool.
        Ah, you are the fortuitous one.

        The excellent Flathead Beacon has a forum for public discourse.
        This would be inclusive of any number of perspectives.
        Please inform “We” of the nature of this discussion.
        Or, you can tell “We” to hit the road jack and don’t look back.
        Might turn to salt.

        • Don Pfau

          Ok then. Get on out of here.

          • Don, I’ve met many outstanding individuals here in Kalispell.
            Don’t worry, you’re definitely not one of them.
            Now, go kiss my Hungry Horse.

          • Doubting Thomas

            You are interesting.
            The structure and cadence of your writing suggests a TBI or possibly schizophrenia.

          • Says, “Mr.-Fixated-On-My-Every-Word.”
            Thank-you, Siegmund.

          • Doubting Thomas

            I prefer Dr. Freud.

          • Cocaine-addict and “Father of Psychology”?
            Riiiiiiiiight.

          • Richard Jones

            I prefer to be fixated on that wonderful haircut of yours.

            Please do tell us more about this incredible preacher and supposed “Man-of-God” who lived in Kalispell. I always thought that you were the son of god, so it seems like you should have already known him.

            I think that I speak for everyone when I say that we want more details of your time living in the woods off the land. No doubt it will be the most entertaining thing I will read all day.

          • “I always thought you were the son of god”?
            I seriously don’t know where to begin with THAT one.

          • Richard Jones

            Aren’t you?

            Begin somewhere, we are all eagerly awaiting your response.

          • When you can show me ANYWHERE that I’ve claimed to be “The Son of God”, then we can
            be based in reality. Until then?
            Merely another slanderous heathen.

          • Richard Jones

            “I, Prince Michael, heir to the House of David, with allegiance to only The True and Living Yahweh, The Christ Yeshua, The Holy Spirit, and The Church, hereby declare War upon the powers-that-be, both seen and unseen, in America.”

            We are all dying to know more about your time in the woods, if you share I promise not to be a slanderous heathen to you anymore.

          • I only have two more -much needed- words for you:
            Reading Comprehension.
            O.K., O.K., one more:
            Libelous.

          • Richard Jones

            For quoting your own words?

            C’mon, tell us more about your time in the woods.

          • NOWHERE, do I claim to be “The Son of God”.
            That’s all troll-breathe.

          • Richard Jones

            This is the 8th time that you have been done with me, yet you can’t help but let your ego get in the way of wanting to let everyone know that you are a crazed wild man that lived in the woods.

            You admit to hating the media, yet here you are, why? It is b/c you are so insecure?

            Maybe if you opened up about your time in the woods it could heal some of the wounds you suffered as a child.

        • Rhett the Butler

          It is possible to count your readers, especially the ones who have any regard for your OCD, egotistical drivel-zero.

    • Rhett the Butler

      Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

      • Rhett, after years of reading of your empty, generic and mindless insults
        to numerous total strangers. -especially Christians- be sure, “The Good Lord” has nothing to do with you.
        Sweet dreams.

        • Rhett the Butler

          OOOooooooo

    • Richard Jones

      “Unfortunately, severe and lasting consequences MUST be expected.”

      Such as?

    • MissLily

      One less of people of your ilk in my home state won’t hurt our feelings any, nor anything else for that matter.

  • Fast

    HE He 😈👹💀👨🏾👹👺👿😈👹👿😈👺👹 YA 😜

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