Skip to content

Community Profile

About Whitefish

Whitefish is located in northwestern Montana, at the northern most tip of the Flathead Valley, just 50 miles south of the Canadian border, and 25 miles west of Glacier National Park.  The City was incorporated in 1905, and named for the native fish harvested from Whitefish Lake for centuries.

Elevation 3,033 ftwhitefish map
Land Area 11.8 sq. mi
Water Area 5 sq. mi
Big Mountain Base Lodge 4,464 ft
Big Mountain Summit 6,817 ft
Whitefish Lake Length 7 mi
Whitefish Lake Width 2.5 mi
Whitefish Lake Depth 232.6 ft
Whitefish Lake Shoreline 15.85 mi

Year         Whitefish       Flathead Countybeach
2020          7,751                104,000
2010          6,460                  81,217
2000          5,032                  74,471
1990          4,368                  59,218
Source: census.gov

  • Median age.................................... 40.3graduation hats
  • Median household income...... $52,037
  • High school graduation rate........... 92%
  • Average annual high (°F) 53.4ºflowers
  • Average annual low 31.2º
  • Average January high 29º
  • Average January low 16º
  • Average July high 81º
  • Average July low 49º
  • Average annual rain precipitation  20.5 in
  • Average annual snowfall 65 in

Percent of national average:grocery bag

  • Composite index 111.8%
  • Groceries  105%
  • Housing 159%
  • Utilities  81%
  • Transportation 75%
  • Health care 98%
  • Misc. goods/services 101%

Source: Sperlings

  • Montana income tax: Rates 1-6.9%
  • Montana sales tax none
  • Whitefish resort tax:  3%

City of Whitefishcity of whitefish
418 E. Second St., Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 863-2400

City Manager - Dana Smith
Mayor - John Muhlfeld

City Councilors:
Giuseppe Caltabiano
Ben Davis 
Andy Feury 
Rebecca Norton 
Steve Qunell 
Frank Sweeney

Flathead County seal of flathead county
800 S. Main St. Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-4110

County Commissioners:
     Pam Holmquist
     Randy Brodehl
     Brad W. Abell

  • Logan Health - Whitefish (650)employee of the month sign
  • Winter Sports, Inc. 500* (1100)
  • Burlington Northern 420
  • Averill Hospitality 282
  • Whitefish School District 250
  • Glacier Restaurant Group 182
  • Grouse Mountain Lodge 100* (70)

* seasonal employees
( ) permanent staff

  • Median house price (2021) $614,100sold home sign
  • Rent per month:
    • 3BR $1400 to $2500
    • 2BR $650 to $1550
    • 1BR $500 to $950
Scroll To Top