Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County Education, Geography, and History

Flathead County is a county located in the state of Montana. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 90,928, making it the third-most populous county in Montana. Its county seat is Kalispell. The numerical designation for Flathead County (used in the issuance of license plates) is 7. It is south from the Canadian border of British Columbia.

Flathead County comprises the Kalispell, Montana Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Etymology - Origin of Flathead County Name

It was named for the Salish (Flathead) Indians. The name originated with the early settlers who called several different tribes of Indians by this name on account of their custom of flattening the heads of infants by fastening a piece of board or a pad of grass upon the forehead. After this had been worn several months it caused a flat appearance of the head.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Flathead County History

Flathead County was created 6 February 1893 from Missoula County. County seat: Kalispell. It was named for the Salish (Flathead) Indians

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,256 square miles (13,614 km²), of which, 5,098 square miles (13,205 km²) of it is land and 158 square miles (410 km²) of it (3.01%) is water. The western part of Glacier National Park is located in the county.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Lincoln County, Montana - west
• Sanders County, Montana - southwest
• Lake County, Montana - south
• Missoula County, Montana - southeast
• Powell County, Montana - southeast
• Lewis and Clark County, Montana - southeast
• Teton County, Montana - east
• Pondera County, Montana - east
• Glacier County, Montana - east
• Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia - north

Education

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