Kalispell is a city in Flathead County. It is the county seat. The community was named for Indian tribe.

Founded in 1891 by James J. Hill as part of the westward expansion of the Great Northern Railroad, the City of Kalispell continues to grow in population and stature. Kalispell is the largest city in Northwest Montana and serves as the county seat and commercial hub of Flathead County. The City is considered a secondary trade center with a trade area of approximately 130,000. Kalispell is host to the Flathead Valley Community College with a fall 2004 enrollment of 1900 (1240 full time equivalent) students. Kalispell also serves as the medical center for northwest Montana with Kalispell Regional Hospital named one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation with a 100 bed facility, a physician staff of 139 doctors and the ALERT program, the nations second oldest helicopter ambulance service in the nation.

Kalispell and the surrounding 24 square mile Flathead Valley, enjoys a relatively mild and pleasant climate year round. Four distinct seasons, each provide a new way of enjoying the area. There are very few places in the world where you can ski, swim, golf, and sail-occasionally on the same day! For recreation the Flathead Valley area plays host to eight golf courses within a 45 minute drive, two ski resorts, 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, indoor and outdoor tennis, swimming, world class hunting and fishing and numerous lakes including Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. Glacier National Park is close by, only 31 miles from Kalispell so residents can enjoy the majesty and serenity of this “quiet” national park year-round.

Communities grow stronger when families use Parks & Recreation to build relationships and to have "fun" together. A progressive Park & Recreation Department stimulates tourism, raises property values, produces revenue for the community and increases our "Quality of Life".

We at Kalispell City Parks & Recreation pledge to provide leisure recreation opportunities and facilities, maintain parks and green spaces in a consolidated effort to enrich the lives of citizens and visitors to our community.

The city has more than 20 parks. Some surround historic structures, including Depot Park, Courthouse Park and the Conrad Mansion grounds. Woodland Park, the city's largest, is a year-round family favorite. And where Conrad's buffalo herd once grazed, golfers play the challenging layout of Buffalo Hill Golf Course.

Housing Cost

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $151,500

Demographics

Estimated population in July 2006: 19,432. Kallispell covers 5.46 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 2,954 feet above sea level.

Zip codes: 59901 - Area code: 406

Weather

Kalispell, MT climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20's.

The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 80.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 13.80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Kalispell is 17.21 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 2.30 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com