Kalispell (,
Montana Salish
The Salish or Séliš language , also known as Kalispel–Pend d'oreille, Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead, or Montana Salish to distinguish it from other Salishan languages, is a Salishan language spoken (as of 2005) by about 64 elders of the Fla ...
: Ql̓ispé,
Kutenai language
The Kutenai ( ), also known as the Ktunaxa ( ; ), Ksanka ( ), Kootenay (in Canada) and Kootenai (in the United States), are an indigenous people of Canada and the United States. Kutenai bands live in southeastern British Columbia, northern ...
: kqayaqawakⱡuʔnam) is a city in, and the
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...
of,
Flathead County,
Montana
Montana () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West List of regions of the United States#Census Bureau-designated regions and divisions, division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North ...
, United States.
The 2020 census put Kalispell's population at 24,558.
In Montana's northwest region, it is the largest city, and the commercial center, of the Kalispell Micropolitan Statistical Area.
The name Kalispell is a
Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake".
History
Using his own capital, Charles Edward Conrad, a businessman and banker from
Fort Benton, Montana
Fort Benton is a city in and the county seat of Chouteau County, Montana, United States. Established in 1846, Fort Benton is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in Montana. The city's waterfront area, the most important aspect of its 19 ...
, formed the Kalispell Townsite Company with three other men. The townsite was quickly
plat
In the United States, a plat ( or ) (plan) is a cadastral map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. United States General Land Office surveyors drafted township plats of Public Lands Surveys to show the distance and bea ...
ted and lots began selling by the spring of 1891. Conrad built a large
mansion
A mansion is a large dwelling house. The word itself derives through Old French from the Latin word ''mansio'' "dwelling", an abstract noun derived from the verb ''manere'' "to dwell". The English word '' manse'' originally defined a property l ...
in Kalispell in 1895.
Kalispell was officially incorporated as a city in 1892. Since that time, the city 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 is home to Logan Health Medical Center, which has a 150-bed hospital facility.
Nestled in the Flathead valley, Kalispell is from
Glacier National Park and from
Hungry Horse Dam. Skiers have access to
Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big Mountain and
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, each away.
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake ( fla, člq̓etkʷ, label= Salish, kut, yawuʔnik̓ ʔa·kuq̓nuk) is a large natural lake in northwest Montana.
The lake is a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial ...
, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi river, is away.
Buffalo Hill Golf Club, designed by
Robert Muir Graves,
serves golfers in the region.
The tribal schools nearby offer classes in the
Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead language, a
language nest
A language nest is an immersion-based approach to language revitalization in early-childhood education. Language nests originated in New Zealand in the 1980s, as a part of the Māori-language revival in that country. The term "language nest" is ...
, and intensive language training for adults. There is a Salish language school and training center in nearby Arlee, Montana.
''
Heaven’s Gate'' (1980), an American western epic, was filmed in and around Kalispell.
Geography and climate
Kalispell is located at (48.197801, −114.316068),
at an elevation of 2,956 feet (901 m).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy
An economy is an area of th ...
, the city has an area of , of which is land and is water.
Kalispell is north of
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake ( fla, člq̓etkʷ, label= Salish, kut, yawuʔnik̓ ʔa·kuq̓nuk) is a large natural lake in northwest Montana.
The lake is a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial ...
, the largest natural freshwater lake in the western U.S.
The city has a
warm-summer humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and freezing ...
(
Köppen ''Dfb''), with long, cold, and moderately snowy winters, hot and dry summers, and short springs and autumns. Snow usually occurs from late October/early November to March.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
of 2010, there were 19,927 people, 8,638 households, and 4,944 families living in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...
was . There were 9,379 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.2%
White
White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...
, 0.2%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
, 1.3%
Native American, 1.0%
Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...
, 0.6% from
other races, and 2.6% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or
Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.
Of the 8,638 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18, 40.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female family head with no husband present, 4.8% had a male family head with no wife present, and 42.8% were not classified as family units. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% were individuals 65 years old 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 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were between the ages of 25 to 44; 22.7% were between the ages 45 to 64, and 14.4% 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 living in the city. The population density was 2,605.7 people per square mile (1,005.8/km). There were 6,532 housing units at an average density of 1,196.7 per square mile (461.9/km). 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
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...
, 0.39% from
other races, and 1.66% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or
Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population. 21.7% were of
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
, 12.0%
Irish, 11.3%
Norwegian, 10.7%
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national id ...
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 population's age distribution 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% 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
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the city was $16,224. About 10.1% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Top employers
According to the City's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the top employers in the city are:
Kalispell is home to the headquarters of the
Montana Rifle Company
Montana Rifle Company is an American company that designed, manufactured, and distributed rifles, rifle actions, barrels and provides gunsmith services. The company is currently owned by Grace Engineering Corp.
History
The company was created ...
.
Education
Kalispell has a
public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants.
There are ...
, a branch of the Flathead County Library. There are two high schools in Kalispell,
Flathead High School and
Glacier High School, along with
Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College is a public community college in Kalispell, Montana.
History
The college was founded in 1967. It is one of three two-year institutions in the state that are outside the control of the University of Montana Sys ...
.
Transportation
Kalispell is at the intersection of U.S. Routes
2 and
93. Commercial air service is offered at
Glacier Park International Airport, approximately northeast of Kalispell off U.S. Route 2 between Kalispell and Columbia Falls.
Kalispell City Airport, in the southern part of the city, offers general aviation service.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak () , is the national passenger railroad company of the United States. It operates inter-city rail service in 46 of the 48 contiguous U.S. States and nine cities in Canada ...
's ''
Empire Builder
The ''Empire Builder'' is an Amtrak long-distance passenger train that operates daily between Chicago and either Seattle or Portland via two sections west of Spokane. Introduced in 1929, it was the flagship passenger train of the Great Norther ...
'' service between Chicago and either
Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...
, or
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populou ...
, is available in
Whitefish, approximately 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
, one of Montana's last mint farms, growing
peppermint
Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.Euro+Med Plantb ...
and
spearmint
Spearmint, also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is a species of mint, ''Mentha spicata'' (, native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east. It is nat ...
, is near Kalispell.
Local media
Kalispell is one of Montana's largest media markets. It is the state's second-largest over-the-air radio market, after
Billings
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 census. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Metro ...
.
;AM radio
*
KGEZ 600
*
KERR
Kerr may refer to:
People
* Kerr (surname)
* Kerr (given name) Places
;United States
* Kerr Township, Champaign County, Illinois
* Kerr, Montana, A US census-designated place
* Kerr, Ohio, an unincorporated community
*Kerr County, Texas
Other ...
750
*
KJJR 880
*
KOFI 1180
*
KSAM 1240
*
KQDE 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
LifeTalk Radio is a network of over 200 radio stations featuring Christian music, Christian talk and teaching, and other religious programming.Jack Nash,New Christian Radio Launched in Louisville, ''Southern Tidings'', May 1996. pp. 10-11. Acces ...
102.3
*
KRVO 103.1
*
KZMN
KZMN (103.9 FM, "The Monster 103.9") is a radio station licensed to serve Kalispell, Montana. The station is owned by KOFI, Inc. It airs a Classic rock music format.
Their studios are downtown Kalispell at 317 1st Ave. E. with sister station ...
103.9
*
KWOL-FM 105.1
*
KDBR 106.3
;Television
*
KCFW-TV 9 (
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters ...
)
*
KAJJ-CD 18 (
CBS)
*
KUKL-TV 46 (
PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of ed ...
)
;Newspapers
* ''
Daily Inter Lake''
* ''Flathead Beacon''
Notable people
*
Ruth Anderson, composer
*
James E. Atwater
James E. Atwater (born September 22, 1946) is a retired North American multidisciplinary physical scientist with training in geophysics, chemistry, and biological science. Atwater holds courtesy faculty appointments with the University of Oregon De ...
, retired chemist and geophysicist
*
Chuck Baldwin
Charles Obadiah Baldwin (born May 3, 1952) is an American right-wing politician, radio host, and founder-former pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. As of January 2011 he was pastor of Liberty Fellowship in Kalispell, Montan ...
,
Constitution Party presidential candidate
*
Brad Bird
Phillip Bradley Bird (born September 24, 1957) is an American film director, animator, screenwriter, producer, and voice actor. He has had a career spanning forty years in both animation and live-action.
Bird was born in Montana and grew up in ...
,
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...
-winning director of animated films and television programs
*
Asta Bowen
Asta Bowen (born August 12, 1955), sometimes spelled Asta Bowen, is an American young adult writer. She's best known for her novel '' Wolf: The Journey Home''.
Biography
Bowen was born in Chicago to a family of Irish descent. She was raised i ...
, author
*
Robert Bray, film and television actor
*
Jaime Clarke
Jaime Clarke is an American novelist and editor. He is a founding editor of the literary journal '' Post Road'' and co-owner, with his wife, of Newtonville Books, an independent bookstore in Boston.
Early life and education
Clarke was born in ...
, novelist and editor
*
John Corapi
John Anthony Corapi (born May 20, 1947), formerly known as Fr. John Corapi, is an inactive Catholic priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (S.O.L.T.) in the United States. He was popular in the early 2000s for his regular app ...
, a former Catholic priest and speaker
*
Shane Bitney Crone, activist, filmmaker, writer, speaker for LGBT rights
*
William Cumming, 20th-century artist and founder of
Northwest School
*
Rick Dennison
Rick Steven Dennison (born June 22, 1958) is an American football coach and former player. He most recently was the senior offensive advisor for the Minnesota Vikings. He was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Minnesota ...
,
offensive coordinator of NFL's
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division ...
,
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquar ...
*
John Edward Erickson, governor of Montana
*
George Everett
George Everett is an American accountant, real estate broker and former politician from Montana. Everett is a former Republican member of Montana House of Representatives.
Early life and education
Everett was born in Kalispell, Montana on Octob ...
, American accountant, real estate broker, and politician
*
Frank Garner, former chief of police, security consultant, and politician
*
Flip Gordon, professional wrestler
*
Robin Lee Graham, circumnavigated the world at age 16
*
Frank Hagel, painter 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, NFL player,
New York Jets fullback
*
Dorothy M. Johnson
Dorothy Marie Johnson (December 19, 1905 – November 11, 1984) was an American writer best known for her Western fiction.
Biography
Early life
Dorothy Marie Johnson was born in McGregor, Iowa, the only daughter of Lester Eugene Johnson and Ma ...
, noted author of Western fiction
*
Tim Koleto, Olympic figure skater
*
Brad Ludden, professional kayaker
*
John Fuller, Politician
*
Sam McCullum, former NFL player
*
Dylan McFarland, former
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division ...
offensive lineman
*
Braxton Mitchell
Braxton Mitchell (born May 20, 2000) is an American politician and businessman serving as a Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 3rd district. Elected in 2020, he assumed office on January 4, 2021, and became one of ...
, Politician
*
Andrew J. Moonen, former employee of
Blackwater USA
Blackwater was an American private military company founded on December 26, 1996 by former Navy SEAL officer Erik Prince. It was renamed Xe Services in 2009 and known as Academi since 2011 after it was acquired by a group of private investor ...
accused of murder in Iraq
*
Mary Oppen
Mary Oppen (November 28, 1908 – May 14, 1990), was an American activist, artist, photographer, poet and writer. She published an autobiography, ''Meaning a Life'' (1978), and a book of verse, ''Poems and Transpositions'' (1980).
Early life
O ...
, activist, photographer, wife of
George Oppen
George Oppen (April 24, 1908 – July 7, 1984) was an American poet, best known as one of the members of the Objectivist group of poets. He abandoned poetry in the 1930s for political activism and moved to Mexico in 1950 to avoid the attentions ...
*
Brock Osweiler
Brock Alan Osweiler (born November 22, 1990) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football at Arizona State and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the ...
, quarterback for
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquar ...
,
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference ( ...
*
Daniel Parker, sculptor and painter
*
Charlotte Pendragon, magician/entertainer
*
Eugene H. Peterson, author of
The Message, a contemporary rendition of the
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts o ...
*
Shadi Petosky
Shadi Petosky is a television show runner. She is best known for her work on '' Danger & Eggs'' and ''The Sandman'' (2022 TV series).
Early life
Petosky was born in Kalispell, Montana, growing up in a rural area. Petosky cites Ani DiFranco and ...
, author and television producer
*
Ace Powell
Asa Lynn "Ace" Powell (April 3, 1912 – January 25, 1978) was an American painter, sculptor, and etcher of genre scenes and imagery relating to indians, cowboys, horses, and wildlife. His artwork was influenced by that of fellow Montana artist C ...
, painter and sculptor
*
Margaret Qualley, actress
*
Keith Regier, educator, businessman and politician
*
Matt Regier, businessman and politician
*
Mike Reilly,
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the maj ...
quarterback,
CFL quarterback,
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lions compete in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and play their home games at BC Place.
The Lions played their first season ...
,
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at the Brick Field at Comm ...
*
Stewart Rhodes
*
Alice Ritzman, former
LPGA
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is an American organization for female golfers. The organization is headquartered at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of week ...
golf professional
*
Monsignor
Monsignor (; it, monsignore ) is an honorific form of address or title for certain male clergy members, usually members of the Roman Catholic Church. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian ''monsignore'', meaning "my lord". "Monsignor" ca ...
Alexander King Sample, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Portland, Oregon
*
Robert Burns Smith
Robert Burns Smith (December 29, 1854 – November 16, 1908) was a Democratic politician. He served as the third Governor of Montana from 1897 to 1901.
Biography
Smith was born on a farm in Hickman County, Kentucky, and was educated in the l ...
, governor of Montana
*
Thatcher Szalay
Thatcher David Szalay (born January 18, 1979) is an American football player. He previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and the Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a p ...
, former
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) West, which they rejoined in 2002 a ...
offensive lineman
*
Misty Upham (1982-2014), actress
*
The von Trapps, singers
*
Randy Weaver
Randall Claude Weaver (January 3, 1948 – May 11, 2022) was an American survivalist, former Iowa factory worker, and self-proclaimed white separatist. He was a central actor in the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff at his cabin near Naples, Idaho, th ...
*
Michelle Williams, actress
*
References
External links
*
*
Kalispell Chamber of CommerceKalispell Downtown Association
{{Authority control
1892 establishments in Montana
Cities in Flathead County, Montana
Cities in Montana
County seats in Montana
Populated places established in 1892