Bigfork, Montana

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Bigfork, Montana
CDP
Location of Bigfork, Montana
Location of Bigfork, Montana
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country United States
State Montana
County Flathead
Area
 • Total 5.9 sq mi (15.3 km2)
 • Land 5.8 sq mi (14.9 km2)
 • Water 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation 2,979 ft (908 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 4,270
 • Density 247.1/sq mi (95.4/km2)
Time zone Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code 59911
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-05875
GNIS feature ID 0806295
Bigfork during Independence Day parade

Bigfork (Ktunaxa: nasuq̓ut̕ k̓akanmituk, Salish: sc̓wene [1][2]) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 4,270 at the 2010 United States Census.

Geography

Bigfork is located at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (48.065214, -114.081700).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km2), of which, 5.8 square miles (15 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (2.87%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 4270 people, 652 households, and 410 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 247.1 people per square mile (95.4/km²). There were 962 housing units at an average density of 167.3 per square mile (64.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.33% White, 0.35% African American, 1.06% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 652 households out of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.3% 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 2.08 and the average family size was 2.59.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 18.2% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The Flathead River emptying into the north end of Flathead Lake at Bigfork, Montana, with the Salish Mountains in the distance.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,116, and the median income for a family was $50,288. Males had a median income of $36,313 versus $23,542 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,314. About 7.6% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

The name Bigfork is derived from the Salish name for the area. There are reports of a homestead and orchard immediately north of Bigfork as early as 1885. Everit L. Sliter set out 500 apple, cherry, plum, and pear trees in 1892 on Flathead Lake’s east shore. In 1902, he platted the Bigfork townsite at the mouth of the Swan River. The east shore has since become a major cherry-growing area. Wayfarers State Park lies just south of the community.[5]

Notable residents

References

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  5. Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Press.
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External links