Community Profile

Geography

Whitefish is located in northwestern Montana, at the northern most tip of the Flathead Valley, just 50 miles south of the Canadian border, and 25 miles west of Glacier National Park.  The City was incorporated in 1905, and named for the native fish harvested from Whitefish Lake for centuries.

Elevation 3,033 ft
Land Area 10.97 sq. mi
Water Area 5 sq. mi
Big Mountain Base Lodge 4,464 ft
Big Mountain Summit 6,817 ft
Whitefish Lake Length 7 mi
Whitefish Lake Width 2.5 mi
Whitefish Lake Depth 232.6 ft
Whitefish Lake Shoreline 15.85 mi

Population

Year    Whitefish (rank)    Flathead County (rank)
2010    6,357 (18)           90,928 (3)
2000    5,032                  74,471
1990    4,368                  59,218

Demographics

• Median age 39
• Median household income $41,430
• Median family income $49,049
• High school graduation rate 91%
• College graduation rate 26.3%

Weather

• Average annual high (°F) 55º
• Average annual low 31º
• Average January high 30º
• Average January low 15º
• Average July high 80º
• Average July low 49º
• Average annual precipitation  22 in
• Average days of precipitation 141
• Average annual snowfall 74 in
• Average January snow depth 12 in
• Average # clear days per year 115
• Average # partly cloudy days/year 108

Cost of Living Index

Percent of national average:

• Composite index 111%
• Groceries  114%
• Housing 116%
• Utilities  85%
• Transportation 88%
• Health care 104%
• Misc. goods/services 105%

Source: Sperling 2011

Tax Information

• Montana income tax: Rates 2 to 11%
• Income brackets (10) $2,200 to $77,800
• Montana sales tax none
• Whitefish resort tax:  2%

Government

City of Whitefish
418 E. Second St., Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 863-2400

City Manager - Chuck Stearns
Mayor - John Muhlfeld

City Councilors:
     John Anderson
      Richard Hildner
      Chris Hyatt            
      Bill Kahle
      Phil Mitchell
      Frank Sweeney

Flathead County 
800 S. Main St. Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-4110

County Commissioners:
     Pam Holmquist
     Dale W. Laumann
     Cal Scott
     

Top Whitefish Employers

• Winter Sports, Inc. 500* (80)
• Burlington Northern 375
• North Valley Hospital 305
• Whitefish School District 207
• Lodge at Whitefish Lake 180 * (110)
• Glacier Restaurant Group 142
• Grouse Mountain Lodge 125* (100)

* seasonal employees
( ) permanent staff

Housing

• Median house price (2011) $223,750
• Rent per month:
     3BR/2B $700 to $1,100
     2BR $600 to $900
     1BR $350 to $650