The good news about Flathead County is that it continues to experience accelerated growth as one of the rising stars of the new economy, healing its wounds from the Great Recession, outpacing almost every other county in job growth and strengthening its standing as one of Montana’s economic leaders.
The bad news is that challenges — both new and old — remain. There are over 3,200 people who are unemployed in Flathead County. Those who are working in this area have jobs that pay — on average — the second lowest wages in Montana, a state that already ranks 47th in the nation for average annual pay.
Although Montana sits in the middle of the pack for average cost of living, the typical cost of housing ranks 16th highest in the nation, according to the latest government statistics. In the last 25 years, the median price for a Montana home spiked by 96 percent while the per capita income of residents only rose by 26 percent. And again, this region ranked among the most expensive average home costs. The situation isn’t any friendlier to renters, either. Ten years ago, finding a modest rental was relatively easy; today the occupancy rate hovers around 2 percent, leaving fewer options than most places with over 90,000 residents.
For those interested in starting up a business, it’s a mixed bag. Kalispell and Columbia Falls have available downtown storefronts and open-space opportunities in prominent locations, but it’s proven difficult to find long-term tenants. The opposite is true in Whitefish, where the cozy downtown is swelling with business activity and lots that long sat vacant are sprouting into stores. Finding a piece of available real estate is now both difficult and expensive, raising the question, “Where does Whitefish grow from here?”
The future is bright — the Flathead economic forecast for 2015 is among the best in Montana. But how residents maneuver these various challenges will play a large role in determining the county’s future vitality.
— Dillon Tabish
Climbing Montana’s Economic Ladder
Jobs in Montana have historically paid among the lowest wages in the U.S. But recent improvement means workers across the state could see better standards of living
By Dillon Tabish
At 24, Kayla Stinger is a single mother going to school and working a full-time job.
Feeling the Squeeze of a Tight Market
Low-income families continue to struggle to find affordable housing in a low-vacancy rental market
By Molly Priddy
Val Niles just wanted to find a Kalispell rental with a yard. She had promised her son, Brayden, now 8, that he could eventually get a dog, but they needed the space for both her son and the dog to be able to play safely. READ MORE »»»
Where Does Whitefish Grow From Here?
In a town where small businesses are the heart of what drives the community, merchants struggle to find infrastructure
By Tristan Scott
When plans to open a Shopko department store in Whitefish’s Mountain Mall displaced eight small businesses, a swell of orphaned merchants rippled through the community in search of a new home. READ MORE »»»