Kalispell is a city in, and the county seat of, Flathead County, Montana. The
2013 Census estimates put Kalispell's population at 20,972. The Kalispell
Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 93,068 and it is the
largest city and commercial center of northwest Montana. The name Kalispell is
a Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake". Kalispell is also the gateway
to Glacier National Park. History
Working using his own capital, Charles Edward Conrad, a businessman and banker
from Fort Benton, Montana, formed the Kalispell Townsite Company with three
other men. The townsite was quickly platted and lots began selling by the
spring of 1891. It was officially incorporated as a city the following
year. Since that time, the city of Kalispell has continued to grow in
population reaching 19,927 in 2010. As the largest city in Northwest Montana,
Kalispell serves as the county seat and commercial center of Flathead County.
The city is considered a secondary trade center with a trade area of
approximately 130,000. The city also is home to Kalispell Regional Medical
Center, which boasts a 150-bed facility. Nestled in the Flathead valley,
Kalispell is 31 miles from Glacier National Park and 22 miles from Hungry
Horse Dam. Skiers have access to Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big
Mountain and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area each 17 miles away. Flathead Lake is 7
miles away. Buffalo Hill Golf Club, designed by Robert Muir Graves, serves
the needs of golfers. The tribal schools nearby offer classes
in the Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead language, a language nest, and intensive
language training for adults. There is a Salish language school and training
center in Arlee, MT. Geography and climate
Kalispell is located at 48°11′52″N 114°18′58″W, at an altitude of 2,956
feet. According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.73 square miles, of which, 11.64
square miles is land and 0.09 square miles is water.
Kalispell is located 7 miles north of Flathead Lake, which is the largest
natural freshwater lake in the continental United States west of the
Mississippi River. Kalispell experiences a cold semi-arid
climate, with long, cold and moderately snowy winters, hot and dry summers, and
short springs and autumns in between. Nights are much cooler than daytime
highs. Snow usually occurs from late October/early November to March.
Demographics = 2010 census =
As of the census of 2010, there were 19,927 people, 8,638 households, and
4,944 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,711.9
inhabitants per square mile. There were 9,379 housing units at an average
density of 805.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 94.2%
White, 0.2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.
There were 8,638 households of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a
female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder
with no wife present, and 42.8% were non-families. 35.7% of all households
were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65
years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average
family size was 2.94. The median age in the city was 34.5
years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of
18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were
65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and
52.7% female. = 2000 census =
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,223 people, 6,142 households, and
3,494 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,605.7 people
per square mile. There were 6,532 housing units at an average density of
1,196.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95.84% White,
0.28% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific
Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population. 21.7% were of German, 12.0%
Irish, 11.3% Norwegian, 10.7% English and 6.6% United States or American
ancestry. There were 6,142 households out of which
28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married
couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 43.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of
individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 2.209 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 24.0% under the age of
18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3%
who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100
females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were
82.1 males. The median income for a household in the
city was $28,567, and the median income for a family was $36,554. Males had a
median income of $29,431 versus $20,122 for females. The per capita income for
the city was $16,224. About 10.1% of families and 15.9% of the population
were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of
those age 65 or over. Transportation
Kalispell is located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 2 and 93. Commercial air
service is offered at Glacier Park International Airport, located
approximately 8 miles northeast of Kalispell off U.S. Route 2 between
Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Kalispell City Airport, located in the
southern part of the city, offers general aviation service.
Amtrak's Empire Builder service between Chicago and either Seattle, Washington,
or Portland, Oregon, is available in Whitefish, approximately 15 miles north.
Eagle Transit, an agency of Flathead County, offers local transit service
within and connecting Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish, as well as
paratransit demand-responsive service. Agriculture
As of July 2014, one of Montana's last mint farms, growing peppermint and
spearmint, is located near Kalispell. Local media
Kalispell is one of the largest media markets in Montana. It is the second
largest over the air radio market in Montana, behind only Billings.
AM radio KGEZ 600
KERR 750 KJJR 880
KOFI 1180 KSAM 1240
KQJZ 1340 FM radio
KLKM 88.7 KUKL-FM 90.1
KFLF 91.3 KQRK 92.3
KHNK 95.9 KALS 97.1
KBBZ 98.5 KKMT 99.7
KIBG 100.7 KXZI-LP 101.9
KANB-LP 102.3 KRVO 103.1
KQJZ 103.5 KZMN 103.9
KWOL-FM 105.1 KDBR 106.3
Television KCFW 9
KAJJ-CD 18 KUKL-TV 46
Newspapers Daily Inter Lake
Flathead Beacon Notable people
Chuck Baldwin former candidate for President under the Constitution Party
Brad Bird, Academy Award-winning director of animated films and
television programs Robert Bray, film and television actor
John Corapi, former Catholic priest and speaker
Shane Bitney Crone, activist, filmmaker, writer, speaker for LGBT Rights
William Cumming, 20th century artist and founder of the Northwest School
Rick Dennison, Offensive Coordinator of the Denver Broncos
John Edward Erickson, Governor of Montana
Robin Lee Graham, circumnavigated the world at age 16
Frank Hagel, artist and sculptor Tanner Hall, Professional Skier, Winter
X-Games gold medalist in Slope-Style, Big Air and Half-pipe
T. J. Hileman, photographer of Glacier National Park
Lex Hilliard, New York Jets fullback L. Ron Hubbard, author and founder of
Scientology Dorothy M. Johnson, noted author of
Western fiction Amanda Kimmel, Survivor: China,
Micronesia, and Heroes vs. Villains contestant
Brad Ludden, professional kayaker Sam McCullum, NFL football player
Dylan McFarland – former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman.
Andrew J. Moonen, former employee of Blackwater USA accused of murder in Iraq
Mary Oppen, activist, photographer, wife of George Oppen
Brock Osweiler, NFL quarterback for the Denver Broncos
Daniel Parker, sculptor and painter Charlotte Pendragon,
magician/entertainer Eugene H. Peterson, author of The
Message, a contemporary rendition of the Bible
Shadi Petosky, cartoonist and animator Ace Powell, painter and sculptor
Mike Reilly, NFL quarterback, CFL quarterback, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos
Alice Ritzman, former LPGA golf professional
Monsignor Alexander King Sample, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Portland, Oregon
Robert Burns Smith, Governor of Montana Thatcher Szalay, former Seattle Seahawks
offensive lineman Misty Upham, actress
Michelle Williams, actress References
External links City of Kalispell
Historic Downtown Kalispell Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Kalispell Montana info about All Glacier National Park