Bigfork, Montana
Bigfork, Montana | |
|---|---|
 Location of Bigfork, Montana | |
| 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 | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 59911 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-05875 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0806295 |
Bigfork 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 48°3′55″N 114°4′54″W / 48.06528°N 114.08167°W (48.065214, -114.081700).[1]
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[2] 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 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.[3]
Notable residents
- Lon Hinkle, professional golfer
- Dirk Benedict, actor, author, director
- Bill Lindsay, retired NHL player
- Jack Hanna, zookeeper[4]
References
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Press.
- ^ "Jack Hanna's Cozy Log Cabin in Montana". hookedonhouses.net. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Flathead County, Montana, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |