Kalispell
RANK #658 / 996 NAT · POP 105,950
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Flathead County, Montana, is defined by its proximity to Glacier National Park, often called the "Crown Jewel of the Continent." Located in northwest Montana, the county is about two hours north of Missoula. Major towns include Kalispell, the county seat, along with Whitefish and Columbia Falls. The community feel is influenced by its natural surroundings, with over 80% of the county's land protected as national parks, forests, and timber reserves. This provides extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, and water activities on Flathead Lake and the Flathead River. Commutes within the county are relatively short, with an average of 19.6 minutes.
Life in Flathead County attracts a mix of families, retirees, and remote workers drawn to the natural amenities and a slower pace. The economy, while historically tied to logging and agriculture, has diversified, with healthcare, retail trade, and construction now being major employers. Flathead County has experienced sustained economic growth, with job growth leading the state in recent years. Healthcare, in particular, has seen significant expansion, driven by an aging population. The Kalispell Public School District is one of Montana's largest, offering a range of academic and activity programs, and Flathead Valley Community College provides various two-year and four-year opportunities.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 33/100, Flathead County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $68,025 combined with job growth of +2.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Flathead County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $414,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,029/month on average.
Flathead County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted 0.0% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.68% of Flathead County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.