Whitefish Montana
Whitefish has a proud history and a rich timber and railroad heritage. The Stump town Historical Society was founded in 1982 to preserve the history of Whitefish and the Flathead Valley. Housed in the Whitefish Railway Depot, the museum is home to railroad memorabilia from the turn of the century to the present. The Depot building, built in 1927 by the Great Northern Railway, is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The Whitefish Walking Tour takes you on a tour through time in Whitefish's history.
Whitefish is truly a magical place where the highest structures are still trees and wildlife still outnumbers residents. This is a place where eagles and osprey soar through the sky as elk, moose and bears move through the land with natural grace.
Whitefish nestles in the northern edge of the Flathead Valley, which stretches 60 square miles and features numerous lakes, wild and scenic rivers and adjacent peaks of Glacier National Park. Whitefish's location on the west side of the divide protects it from the extreme weather changes encountered in other portions of Montana, making it ideal for year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.
The people of Whitefish are genuinely friendly and down to earth. The town's low-key atmosphere tends to make life in their tight-knit community a happy and warm place to live and visit.
WHITEFISH DEMOGRAPHICS |
WHITEFISH LAKE FACTS |
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|
Length (mi.) |
7 |
Width (mi.) |
2.5 |
Depth (ft.) |
232.6 |
Miles of Shorline |
15.85 |
Fed by Swift Creek, Lazy Creek & Hellroaring Creek |
Spills into Whitefish River |
Five public use areas (access/parks/campground) |
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT FACTS |
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|
Summit Elevation |
6,817 ft. 2078 m |
Base Elevation in feet |
4,464 ft. 1,364 m |
Vertical Drop |
2,353 ft. 717 m |
Longest Run - (Hell Fire) |
3.3 miles 5.3 km |
Acres |
3,000 |
Marked Trails |
93 |
Difficulty Distribution of Trails: |
Beginner |
20% |
Intermediate |
50% |
Advanced/Expert |
30% |
Total Number of Lifts |
11 |
High Speed Quad Lifts |
2 |
Source: Whitefish Mountain Resort Trail Map |
WEATHER |
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|
Check current Whitefish weather at NOAA |
Average Annual High (°F) |
54.6 |
Average Annual Low (°F) |
31.3 |
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January Temperatures: |
Average High (°F) |
30.1 |
Average Low (°F) |
15.1 |
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|
July Temperatures: |
Average High (°F) |
79.6 |
Average Low (°F) |
49.4 |
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|
Average Annual Precipitation (in.) |
22.4 |
Average Annual Precipitation (days) |
140.7 |
Average Annual Snow Fall (in.) |
74.0 |
Average Snow Depth in January (in.) |
12 |
Average Annual Clear Days |
115 |
Average Annual Cloudy Days |
142 |
Average Annual Partly Cloudy Days |
108 |
COST OF LIVING INDEX |
|
|
Percent of National Average: |
Composite Index |
99% |
Groceries |
105% |
Housing |
90% |
Utilities |
93% |
Transportation |
92% |
Health Care |
98% |
Misc. Goods/Services |
104% |
Source: Flathead Gauges 2003 |
TAX INFORMATION |
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|
Montana State Income Tax: |
Rates |
2 to 11% |
Income Brackets (10) |
$2,200 to $77,800 |
Montana Sales Tax |
0% |
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|
Whitefish Resort Tax: |
Restaurants, Hotels & Certain Retail Items 2% |
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HOUSING |
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|
Median House Price (2006) |
$316,754 |
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Rent per month |
(est. 2004): |
3BR/2B |
$800 to $1,200 |
2BR |
$600 to $900 |
1BR |
$400 to $650 |
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COMMUNITY |
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Whitefish School District 44 Boundary
(406-862-8640) |
Olney |
Church Rd. |
3820 Hwy 40 |
Farm To Market Rd. |
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Whitefish School District 44 Enrollment: |
Muldown Elementary School (K-4) 862-8620 |
607 |
Whitefish Middle School (5-8) 862-8650 |
520 |
Whitefish High School (9-12) 862-8600 |
684 |
Whitefish Independent High School (10-12) |
25 |
Other Schools: |
Children's House Montessori School 863-4685 |
Cross Currents Christian School 862-5875 |
Whitefish Community School (preschool) 863-3500 |
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OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS |
North Valley Hospital 406-863-3500 |
Kalispell Regional Medical Center 406-752-1724 |
Whitefish Public Library 406-862-6657 |
Whitefish City Offices 406-863-2400 |
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Daily Jet, Train & Bus Service via: |
Glacier Park International Airport(FCA) |
|
Delta, Northwest, Alaska/Horizon, United Express/SkyWest |
Amtrak |
800-872-7245 |
Rimrock Trailways Bus Service |
406-755-4011 |
GEOGRAPHY |
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|
Elevation (ft.) |
3,033 |
Total Area (sq. mi.) |
11.0 |
Water Area (sq. mi.) |
0.03 |
Land Area (sq. mi.) |
10.97 |
Distance in Miles from Whitefish: |
Whitefish Mountain Resort |
7.9 |
Glacier National Park |
25 |
Glacier Park International Airport |
11.2 |
Kalispell |
15 |
Flathead Community College |
12.5 |
Columbia Falls |
10 |
Missoula |
129 |
Spokane |
276 |
Calgary |
290 |
DEMOGRAPHICS |
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|
Population: |
Whitefish Population: (Census 2005) |
7,067 |
Flathead County (Census 2005) |
83,172 |
Montana (Census 2005) |
935,670 |
Median Age |
37.3 |
DISTANCES FROM WHITEFISH |
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|
Canadian Border (Port of Roosville): |
55 mi |
Glacier Park International Airport: |
11.2 mi |
Glacier National Park: |
25 mi |
Flathead Community College: |
12.5 mi |
Kalispell: |
15 mi |
Missoula: |
129 mi |
Helena: |
210 mi |
Seattle: |
543 mi |
Spokane: |
245 mi |
Calgary: |
315 mi |
Columbia Falls: |
7 mi |
West Yellowstone: |
385 mi |
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