Big Sky, Montana
| Big Sky, Montana | |
|---|---|
| — CDP — | |
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| Coordinates: 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.27°N 111.29972°WCoordinates: 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.27°N 111.29972°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| Counties | Gallatin, Madison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 228.3 sq mi (591.2 km2) |
| • Land | 228.1 sq mi (590.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,218 ft (2,200 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,221 |
| • Density | 5.4/sq mi (2.1/km2) |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 59716 |
| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-06325 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1853174 |
| Website | www.bigskymontana.org |
Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gallatin and Madison counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana. This unincorporated community straddles the two counties, is not considered a town, and has no town government. The primary industry of the area is tourism.
Big Sky is located approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman on U.S. Route 191 and just 15 miles (24 km) from the northwestern border of the Yellowstone National Park. The population was 1,221 at the 2000 census. "The Meadow" sector of the area lies in an alpine valley formed during the cretaceous period. Initially called the Gallatin Canyon Basin, the Meadow is braided with small rivers that channel mountain snow run-off. Fishing is permitted on all of these Gallatin feeders. Two "ponds" are found on the Middle Fork that bisects the Meadow. Fishing there is permitted only for those 16 and younger. Since 1993, an innovative sewer system has protected the water in the area from sewage discharge. Several agencies, such as the Blue Water Task Force, monitor the health of the rivers.
The community is home to two large ski resorts that are sited in the "Mountain" sector: Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort and Moonlight Basin. Both are alpine ski and golf resorts. The combined terrain of the two resorts allows them to boast "The Biggest Skiing in America." The Club at Spanish Peaks is an exclusive private ski & golf resort that has 3 chairlifts & 13 ski runs connecting it to the Big Sky Ski Resort at the base of Big Sky's Southern Comfort lift. Another resort, Lone Mountain Ranch, is a Nordic ski and summer resort that professionally grooms over 75 kilometers of cross country skill trails. The private exclusive resort, Yellowstone Club, is located to the south and adjacent to Big Sky.
Part of the community lies in the Gallatin Canyon, along the Gallatin River, a favorite for white water rafters and kayakers. The Gallatin River, named after Albert Gallatin, who was the Secretary of the Treasury during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is a Blue Ribbon trout stream that attracts fly-fishers from around the world. Fly-fishing outfitting firms can connect fly-fishers to renowned rivers, in particular the Madison and the Yellowstone. Several dude ranches dot the Gallatin Canyon: 320 Ranch, Elkhorn Ranch, Cinnamon Lodge, and 9 Quarter Circle, which is tucked into the Taylor Fork drainage to the west of the Gallatin.
Hiking trails thread throughout the landscape and into neighboring national forests. Camping sites are available throughout the Spanish Peaks and Gallatin National Forest. Elk, deer, black bears, grizzlies, upland birds, waterfowl, and wolves call this area home. Hunting is prohibited in Big Sky proper, but it is permitted throughout the national forests that surround the area. Recreational snowmobiling is also not permitted within the Meadow and on Mountain terrain, but it is permitted in the Gallatin Canyon and in areas to the south of Big Sky proper. Snowmobiling outfitters are located in the Canyon.
The area is served by a K-12 public school district, called the Ophir School District #72. There are three schools: Ophir Elementary School, Ophir Middle School, and Lone Peak High School. The district educates approximately 200 students with an innovative curriculum that includes experiential, place-based, and expeditionary education.
Health services include a dentist, a small medical clinic, a physical therapist, chiropractors, and a pharmacy. There is a local fire department with advanced emergency services, but sheriff services are provided by Gallatin County. Big Sky is highly dependent on Gallatin County services. The nearest hospital is located in Bozeman.
Local businesses are situated primarily in three commerce sites, Meadow Village Shopping Center, the Canyon, and The Big Sky Town Center, ranging from restaurants, clothing shops and photography to outdoor sporting stores. Real estate agents, construction and architectural companies, and property management companies attend to the burgeoning real estate industry.
Big Sky Chapel serves a number of religious denominations. The community library, housed in the Ophir School facility, is free to the public, providing thousands of books and technology access.
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[edit] Geography
Big Sky is located at 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.269940°N 111.299725°W (45.269940, -111.299725).[1]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 228.3 square miles (591.2 km2), of which, 228.1 square miles (590.8 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km2) of it (0.06%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2007, there were 2,421 people, 573 households, and 280 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5.4 people per square mile (2.1/km2). There were 1,788 housing units at an average density of 7.8 per square mile (3.0/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.95% White, 0.08% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population.
There were 573 households out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.1% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 15.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 48.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 126.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 127.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,688, and the median income for a family was $62,750. Males had a median income of $30,909 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $31,492. About 3.2% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Media
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2009) |
Big Sky has two local newspapers: The Big Sky Weekly and the Lone Peak Lookout, in addition to a regional newspaper from Bozeman.
The local radio station is KBZM. Other regional radio stations can be received from Bozeman.
Three Television stations are available; KTVM (6) NBC, KBZK (7) CBS, and KUSM (9) PBS.
ExploreBigSky.com is a regional daily news website.
[edit] Notable residents
There are numerous year-round and part-time residents who are world-renowned athletes, politicians, physicians,and business/industry leaders, including:
- Keeley Kelleher, a former Olympic skier and national champion medalist, grew up in Big Sky.
- Marty Pavelich, a National Hockey League Hall of Famer, is a year-round resident.
- Martin Bell, a former Olympic skier for Great Britain is a year-round resident.
- Chet Huntley, pioneering newscaster, retired to Big Sky and built the Big Sky Resort; however, he died before the resort opened.
- Jamie Pierre, professional skier, snowboarder
[edit] References
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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