Bigfork, Montana

Bigfork is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. It is within Montana's Rocky Mountains. The population was 4,270 at the 2010 census,[1] up from 1,421 at the 2000 census.

Bigfork, Montana
Census-designated place
Bigfork during Independence Day parade
Location of Bigfork, Montana
Coordinates: 48°3′55″N 114°4′54″W
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyFlathead
Area
 • Total37.3 sq mi (96.6 km2)
 • Land31.2 sq mi (80.9 km2)
 • Water6.1 sq mi (15.7 km2)
Elevation
2,979 ft (908 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total4,270
 • Density137/sq mi (52.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59911
Area code(s)406 Exchange: 837
FIPS code30-05875
GNIS feature ID0806295
Websitehttp://www.bigfork.org

Geography

Bigfork is located in south-central Flathead County at 48°3′55″N 114°4′54″W (48.065214, -114.081700),[2] at the north end of Flathead Lake. The western edge of the CDP is the Flathead River, the primary inflow of the lake. The Swan River flows into Flathead Lake from the east, entering the lake at the center of town. The CDP extends south to the Lake County line; east to Mud Lake, Mud Creek, and the north-south part of the Swan River; and northwards to the roads north of Echo Lake.

Kalispell is 18 miles (29 km) to the northwest, via Montana Highway 35, Montana Highway 82, and U.S. Route 93. Highway 35 runs through the center of Bigfork and proceeds south along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake, rejoining US 93 near Polson.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bigfork CDP has a total area of 37.3 square miles (96.6 km2), of which 31.2 square miles (80.9 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (15.7 km2), or 16.25%, is water.[1]

Demographics

As of the census[3] 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 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 Flathead River emptying into the north end of Flathead Lake at Bigfork, Montana, with the Salish Mountains in the distance.

Some say, the name "Bigfork" is derived from the Salish name for the area. However Bigfork is a fork where two rivers, the Flathead River and the Swan River flow in to the Flathead Lake. 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. He became the first postmaster in 1901.[4] 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]

Education

Bigfork has a public library, a branch of the Flathead County Library.[6]

Arts and culture

Located on a bay of Flathead Lake, Bigfork boasts an array of tourist activities for every season. The town is home to a 27-hole golf course, art galleries, and live theatre. Visitors can rent boats or take a chartered tour of the lake. Nearby Jewel Basin offers hiking. Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness are only a short drive away. Bigfork Summer Playhouse offers Broadway caliber productions every summer.

Notable people
gollark: Stupid hatchling wouldn't mature even at 8000 views...
gollark: Eventually, it is inevitable.
gollark: I still have my offer up on one of Infinis' trades... maybe one day...
gollark: Aaa. How do I put images in my signature? I did it before but it won't work again.
gollark: Please remind everyone when it's nearing AP times?

References
  1. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Bigfork CDP, Montana". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983). Names on the Face of Montana. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 5. ISBN 0-87842-150-5.
  5. Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman Archived October 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Montana Historical Society Press.
  6. "Montana Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  7. "Jack Hanna's Cozy Log Cabin in Montana". hookedonhouses.net. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  8. "J.K. Simmons". Late Night with Seth Meyers. S6:E72. March 1, 2018.
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