Located in northwestern Montana, Lake County is Montana's
ninth most populous with 26,904 residents, according to the 2001 estimates
produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. Polson, the county seat, is the state's
18th largest city with a population of 4,041.
According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, median income for Lake County
households in 2000 was $26,169. The county is 1,653.8 square miles in area;
1,493.8 square miles in land area and 159.9 in inland water area. County
residents experience the four distinct seasons.
One of the Lake County�s most
popular attractions is Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west
of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water
and 185 miles of shoreline. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks maintains thirteen
public access sites around the lake. Recreation on and around the lake
includes: sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking,
and camping. In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a
variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits. There are
numerous motels and rental cabins in addition to public campgrounds scattered
all around the shoreline. The major population centers around the lake are
Kalispell, Bigfork, and Polson, all of which offer a complete variety of
groceries, supplies, and information.
In addition to Polson (the
county seat), Lake County is home to Arlee, Big Arm, Charlo, Dayton, Elmo,
Pablo, Rollins, Ronan, and St. Ignatius. For more information on Polson & Lake County,
please see the following websites:
LakeCounty-Mt.org
Polson Chamber of Commerce
Lake County Schools
