Bigfork, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bigfork, Montana
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Bigfork during Independence Day parade
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Location of Bigfork, Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Flathead |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.31 sq mi (96.63 km2) |
| • Land | 31.25 sq mi (80.95 km2) |
| • Water | 6.05 sq mi (15.68 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,989 ft (911 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,118 |
| • Density | 163.76/sq mi (63.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59911
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-05875 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0806295 |
| Website | http://www.bigfork.org |
Bigfork is a special kind of community called a census-designated place (CDP). It is located in Flathead County, Montana, United States. This area is part of Montana's beautiful Rocky Mountains. In 2020, about 5,118 people lived here. This was an increase from 4,270 people in 2010.
Contents
Discover Bigfork's History
The name "Bigfork" might come from the Salish people who lived here. However, the town is also named for where two rivers meet. The Flathead River and the Swan River both flow into Flathead Lake here.
People started settling in this area a long time ago. There are records of a farm and fruit orchard north of Bigfork as early as 1885. In 1892, Everit L. Sliter planted 500 apple, cherry, plum, and pear trees. He became Bigfork's first postmaster in 1901.
In 1902, Mr. Sliter officially planned out the town of Bigfork. It was built right where the Swan River meets Flathead Lake. Today, the east side of the lake is famous for growing cherries. You can also visit Wayfarers State Park just south of Bigfork.
Exploring Bigfork's Geography
Bigfork is in the south-central part of Flathead County. It sits at the very top (north end) of Flathead Lake. The Flathead River forms the western edge of the town. This river is the main water source for the lake.
The Swan River flows into Flathead Lake from the east. It enters the lake right in the middle of Bigfork. The community stretches south to the Lake County border. It goes east to Mud Lake and Mud Creek. To the north, it reaches roads near Echo Lake.
The city of Kalispell is about 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Bigfork. You can get there using Montana Highway 35, Montana Highway 82, and U.S. Route 93. Highway 35 goes right through Bigfork. It then continues south along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake.
The Bigfork area covers about 37.31 square miles (96.6 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 31.25 square miles (80.9 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 6.05 square miles (15.7 square kilometers), is water.
Bigfork's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 1,421 | — | |
| 2010 | 4,270 | 200.5% | |
| 2020 | 5,118 | 19.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Bigfork had 4,270 people living there. The population has grown quite a bit over the years. Many different kinds of people live in Bigfork. Most residents are White, with smaller groups of Native American, African American, and Asian people. Some residents are also of Hispanic or Latino background.
The community has a mix of age groups. In 2010, about 16.8% of the people were under 18 years old. About 28.4% were 65 years or older. The average age in Bigfork was 50 years old.
Education in Bigfork
The Bigfork School District provides education for students from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. Students attend Bigfork High School. The school's sports teams are known as the Vikings and Valkyries.
Bigfork also has a public library. It is a part of the Flathead County Library system.
Fun Things to Do in Bigfork
Bigfork is located on a beautiful bay of Flathead Lake. This makes it a great place for visitors all year round! There are many fun activities to enjoy.
- Golfing: Bigfork has a large 27-hole golf course.
- Arts: You can visit art galleries and enjoy live theater performances.
- Lake Activities: Visitors can rent boats or take a guided tour of Flathead Lake.
- Hiking: The nearby Jewel Basin offers amazing hiking trails.
- Nature: Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness are just a short drive away. These are perfect for exploring nature.
- Theater: The Bigfork Summer Playhouse puts on professional Broadway-style shows every summer.
- Film: Bigfork also hosts the Bigfork Independent Film Festival (BIFF) in the fall. This festival shows films made in Montana and celebrates local filmmakers.
Bigfork in the News
The local newspaper is called the Bigfork Eagle. You can read it in print or online every week.
Bigfork also has its own radio station, KIBG. The town also receives radio and TV signals from the larger Kalispell area.
Famous People from Bigfork
Many interesting people have connections to Bigfork:
- Dirk Benedict, an actor, author, and director.
- Jack Hanna, a famous zookeeper.
- Lon Hinkle, a professional golfer.
- Bill Lindsay, a former professional hockey player in the NHL.
- Maury Povich, a TV personality and publisher.
- J. K. Simmons, an actor who worked at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
See also
In Spanish: Bigfork (Montana) para niños
