Flathead County, Montana: commercial real estate data.
Flathead County, Montana had an estimated 114,527 residents on July 1, 2024, up 9.7 percent since the 2020 census base of 104,355, across 5,088 square miles. County output reached $7.21 bn in 2024, 5,092 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 204 7(a) approvals worth $109.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Flathead County
How many people live in Flathead County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024110,695
- Households44,233
- Average household size2.50
- Median household income$73,925
- Median age42.2
- Median gross rent$1,142 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$535,500
- Home value to household income7.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher37.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree13.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over79,424
- Population under 1823,948
- Share under 1821.6 percent
- Population 65 and over23,352
- Share 65 and over21.1 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6463,395
- Civilian labor force55,909
- Unemployment rate2.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over64.5 percent
- Rank by population among Montana counties4th of 56
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included570th of 3,222
Flathead County is the 4th largest of 56 Montana counties by population. A median home costs 7.2 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.6 percent against 21.1 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Flathead County
Is Flathead County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024114,527
- Census 2020 base population104,355
- Population change since the 2020 census base9.75 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20241,032
- Births, 20241,234
- Deaths, 20241,057
- Natural change, 2024177
- Net domestic migration, 2024837
- Net international migration, 202420
- Total net migration, 2024857
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20249,317
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents155th of 3,144
The county has grown 9.75 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Flathead County
Where are people moving to Flathead County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving3,785
- People arriving, from those returns6,733
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,800
- Net household movement985
- Adjusted gross income arriving$475.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$263.0 m
- Average income of an arriving household$125,638
- Average income of a leaving household$75,897
- Largest single originMissoula County (158 households)
- Largest single destinationLake County (148 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula County | 158 | 219 | $12.5 m |
| Lake County | 118 | 215 | $9.8 m |
| Gallatin County | 111 | 165 | $7.4 m |
| King County | 110 | 197 | $67.4 m |
| Lincoln County | 87 | 156 | $4.5 m |
| San Diego County | 77 | 136 | $13.2 m |
| Spokane County | 69 | 138 | $6.5 m |
| Maricopa County | 65 | 104 | $7.8 m |
Households arriving report $49,741 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Missoula County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Flathead County
What is the Flathead County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$7.21 bn
- County GDP, 2023$6.71 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.5 percent
- GDP change over five years52.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Montana areas BEA publishes4th of 56
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes570th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$65,135
Output grew 7.5 percent in the latest year and 52.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Flathead County
Employment by industry in Flathead County
- Covered employment, annual average50,611
- Establishments reporting6,994
- Average annual pay$58,339
- Average weekly wage$1,122
- Health care and social assistance, employment7,842
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$72,253
- Retail trade, employment7,323
- Retail trade, average annual pay$44,356
- Accommodation and food services, employment6,970
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$28,528
- Construction, employment4,793
- Construction, average annual pay$64,714
- Manufacturing, employment3,288
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment2,629
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 7,842 | 588 | $72,253 |
| Retail trade | 7,323 | 538 | $44,356 |
| Accommodation and food services | 6,970 | 440 | $28,528 |
| Construction | 4,793 | 1,179 | $64,714 |
| Manufacturing | 3,288 | 266 | $73,035 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,629 | 1,173 | $97,227 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 2,296 | 472 | $54,872 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,883 | 480 | $43,537 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 7,842 jobs, 15.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Flathead County
How many businesses are in Flathead County?
- Establishments, all industries5,092
- Employment at those establishments45,165
- Annual payroll$2.33 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents46.0
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Flathead County
Building permits in Flathead County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024286
- Declared construction value permitted$106.0 m
- Single family units authorized198
- Multifamily units authorized88
- Multifamily share of units30.8 percent
- Average declared value per unit$370,647
- Units authorized per 1,000 households6.5
Single-family homes are 69.2 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Flathead County
SBA loans in Flathead County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded204
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$109.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$535,589
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$15,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,293,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,068
- Jobs per approval10.1
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active39
- Distinct industries receiving approvals103
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer16.2 percent
- Loans on real estate terms33
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter164
- Franchise loans24
- Franchise share of approvals11.8 percent
- Most active lenderThree Rivers Bank of Montana (43)
- 504 approvals recorded56
- 504 gross approval dollars$28.7 m
- Average 504 approval$511,857
- Median 504 approval$338,000
- Distinct CDCs active6
- 504 jobs per approval5.7
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved11.2
- Most active CDCBig Sky Economic Development Corporation (29)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$137.9 m
The average approval of $535,589 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 16.2 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Flathead County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Flathead County
Do SBA loans in Flathead County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded66
- Paid in full62
- Charged off4
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans6.1 percent
- Status: Paid in full62
- Status: Cancelled16
- Status: Exempt from disclosure114
- Status: Charged off4
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed8
Of the 66 loans that have reached a final outcome, 6.1 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Flathead County
SBA lending by place in Flathead County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending12
- Kalispell, approvals125
- Whitefish, approvals27
- Columbia Falls, approvals26
- Bigfork, approvals15
- Somers, approvals2
- Rollins, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Kalispell | 125 | $55,588,300 |
| Whitefish | 27 | $26,461,900 |
| Columbia Falls | 26 | $11,690,100 |
| Bigfork | 15 | $9,963,800 |
| Somers | 2 | $990,000 |
| Rollins | 2 | $300,000 |
| Marion | 2 | $182,000 |
| Kallispell | 1 | $2,657,800 |
| 4 other borrower cities | 4 | $1,426,300 |
Kalispell accounts for 125 approvals against 27 in Whitefish. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Flathead County
How large is Flathead County?
- Land area5,088 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Montana counties3rd of 56
- Width, east to west98.5 mi
- Height, north to south97 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary9
- Residents per square mile of land22
- Establishments per square mile1.00
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Flathead County
Flood risk in Flathead County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Flathead County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 300023
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 9
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 9
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Flathead County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Flathead County (community 300023), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 9, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Flathead County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 9, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Flathead County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Flathead County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024110,695
- Households44,233
- Average household size2.50
- Median household income$73,925
- Median age42.2
Common questions
Flathead County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Flathead County, Montana?
The Census Bureau estimates 114,527 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 110,695, in 44,233 households, ranking 4th of 56 Montana counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Flathead County's population growing?
The population has grown 9.75 percent since the 2020 census base of 104,355, to 114,527 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,234 births against 1,057 deaths, with net migration of 857. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Flathead County?
$73,925. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $535,500, which is 7.2 times income, and median gross rent is $1,142 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Flathead County?
5,092 establishments, employing 45,165 people with an annual payroll of $2.33 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Flathead County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 7,842 jobs, 15.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 50,611 jobs at an average annual pay of $58,339, or $1,122 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Flathead County?
204 7(a) approvals totaling $109.3 m since FY2020, across 39 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 56 504 approvals worth $28.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Flathead County get paid back?
Of the 66 loans that have reached a final outcome, 62 were paid in full and 4 charged off, a charge-off rate of 6.1 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Flathead County?
286 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $106.0 m. Multifamily was 30.8 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Flathead County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Flathead County come from?
The largest single origin is Missoula County, with 158 households. Arriving households report an average income of $125,638 against $75,897 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Flathead County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Flathead County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Flathead County
Cities and places in Flathead.
24 Census places lie wholly or partly in Flathead County. All 24 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalispell | city | 28,504 | 125 | Wholly in this county |
| Evergreen | CDP | 9,611 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Whitefish | city | 8,749 | 27 | Wholly in this county |
| Columbia Falls | city | 5,615 | 26 | Wholly in this county |
| Bigfork | CDP | 5,565 | 15 | Wholly in this county |
| Lakeside | CDP | 2,386 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Somers | CDP | 1,280 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Marion | CDP | 1,037 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Helena Flats | CDP | 857 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Batavia | CDP | 690 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hungry Horse | CDP | 679 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Coram | CDP | 452 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kila | CDP | 373 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Martin City | CDP | 342 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Forest Hill Village | CDP | 315 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| West Glacier | CDP | 263 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Olney | CDP | 158 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Little Bitterroot Lake | CDP | 156 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rhodes | CDP | 110 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Essex | CDP | 82 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Niarada | CDP | 79 | None recorded | 78.1 percent here, 20.8 percent Sanders County |
| Snowslip | CDP | 71 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Pinnacle | CDP | 48 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Polebridge | CDP | 14 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 3 of the county's 204 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Flathead County, the largest being Rollins (2), Kallispell (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.