The U.S Census Bureau released Montana’s 2010 population figures to the governor and state Legislature Tuesday. The numbers show that Flathead County’s population has grown by 22 percent over the last 10 years, increasing from 74,471 to 90,928 in that time.
Flathead is the third most populous county in the state, according to the Census, behind Yellowstone and Missoula. This county is also among the fastest growing, along with Gallatin and Broadwater.
Montana’s population is nearing 1 million. It has grown by 9.7 percent since 2000, or by 87,220 people, and the state now has 989,415 residents. Much of the increase can be attributed to growth in Western Montana and Yellowstone County. Meanwhile, several counties along the Hi-Line and in Eastern Montana lost population.
Most Populous Counties in Montana (Percent Change from 2000)
Yellowstone County: 147,972 (14.4%)
Missoula County: 109,299 (14.1%)
Flathead County: 90,928 (22.1%)
Gallatin County: 89,513 (32%)
Cascade County: 81,327 (1.2%)
Lewis and Clark County: 63,395 (13.8%)
Ravalli County: 40,212 (11.5%)
Silver Bow County: 34,200 (-1.2%)
Lake County: 28,746 (8.4%)
Lincoln County: 19,687 (4.5%)