Population123,513 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Confluences and a University Town Setting
Missoula County, MontanaMissoula County’s story begins long before its present boundaries, with an early county seat at Hell Gate near the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers. Today, Missoula and the University of Montana provide a regional center, while surrounding national forests add a strong mountain-landscape identity. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 123,513 residents in Missoula County, Montana, on July 1, 2025.
Missoula County at a Glance
Population123,513 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatMissoula
StateMontana
Established1860
ZIP CodesVary by address
Total Area, Including Water2,617.946 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 90; U.S. Highway 12; U.S. Highway 93
Area Codes406
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Missoula County
Missoula County
Missoula County was created in 1860 while the area was part of Washington Territory. Its original seat was Hell Gate, near the meeting of the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers. Subsequent territorial changes placed the county within Idaho and then Montana territories. Later divisions created several other counties from its original area. This changing map explains why older Missoula County records can refer to places far beyond the boundaries surrounding the present county seat.
Missoula provides a university-city center within a much broader mountain setting. The University of Montana, regional institutions, and smaller businesses contribute different parts of local life. Portions of Lolo, Bitterroot, and Flathead national forests extend into the county, while the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area adds another landscape connection. A city visit and a forest excursion require different plans, but together they reveal how closely the county’s urban and natural identities are related.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Missoula County’s story begins long before its present boundaries, with an early county seat at Hell Gate near the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers.
Community History
Missoula County was created in 1860 while the area was part of Washington Territory. Its original seat was Hell Gate, near the meeting of the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers.
Around the County
Missoula provides a university-city center within a much broader mountain setting. The University of Montana, regional institutions, and smaller businesses contribute different parts of local life.
River connections bring city life into mountain country.
A Closer Look
Missoula County
Places and perspectives from Missoula County
Montana Free Press
Yellowstone County Attorney Twito resigns, tapped to lead U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana
Longtime Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito is stepping down to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Missoula County
Stories from every corner of Missoula County.
Yellowstone County Attorney Twito resigns, tapped to lead U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana
Longtime Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito is stepping down to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Groups sue PSC for refusing to consider climate change
Montana’s Public Service Commission rejected a petition asking the agency to consider climate impacts. Now the petitioners have…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Turning blank walls into big art
PLUS: MSU celebrates new nursing building, in Missoula. The post Turning blank walls into big art appeared first…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Two PSC districts on Montana ballot: Meet the candidates
Two Montana Public Service Commission seats are up for election this year. Candidates running to serve on the…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
It’s undebatable: Flint-Forstag is Montana’s hottest race
PLUS: Truth in advertising? You be the judge. The post It’s undebatable: Flint-Forstag is Montana’s hottest race appeared…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
County photographs from Wikimedia Commons; images may be cropped for display.
- Knowles Building (2016) – Missoula County, Montana.png — Robstutz. CC BY-SA 4.0. Own work
- University Mountain looking South towards Mitten Mountain and Mount Dean Stone – panoramio.jpg — nklette. CC BY 3.0. https://web.archive.org/web/20161014014023/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/28758584
_-_Missoula_County,_Montana.png){kind=link}
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Bonner School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 9045 Hwy 200 E, Bonner, MT 59823. 406-258-6151.
Clinton School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 20397 E Mullan Rd, Clinton, MT 59825. 406-825-3113.
DeSmet School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 6355 Padre Lane, Missoula, MT 59802. 406-549-4994.
Frenchtown Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-03. 16495 Main Street, Frenchtown, MT 59834. 406-626-2620.
Hellgate El Primary Grades – Elementary; grades PK-01. 2365 Flynne Lane, Missoula, MT 59808. 406-721-2452.
Lolo Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-04. 11395 Highway 93 South, Lolo, MT 59847. 406-273-6686.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Community Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 2827 Fort Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804. 406-728-4100.
St. Patrick Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 500 W Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802. 406-543-7271.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Montana statewide resources
State Parks
- Montana State Parks — Park finder, visitor information and rules.
- Lewis and Clark Caverns — Cavern tours, camping and park information.
- Makoshika — Badlands scenery, trails and park information.
- Bannack — Historic town and visitor information.
- Pictograph Cave — Rock art interpretation and park information.
- First Peoples Buffalo Jump — Cultural history and visitor information.
- Giant Springs — Springs, riverside trails and visitor information.
- Flathead Lake — State park units around Flathead Lake.
- Missouri Headwaters — River confluence history and visitor information.
- Medicine Rocks — Sandstone formations and park information.
Trails
Utilities
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Swan Valley Community Library – Missoula – 6811 Hwy 83, Condon, MT 59826. 406-754-2521.
Frenchtown School And Community Library (Missoula Co.) – 17620 Frenchtown Frontage Rd, Frenchtown, MT 59834. 406-626-2730.
Lolo School And Community Library – 5305 Farm Lane, Lolo, MT 59847. 406-273-6686.
Big Sky Branch Library (Missoula Co.) – 3100 South Ave W, Missoula, MT 59804. 406-728-2400.
Potomac Branch Library (Missoula Co.) – 29750 Potomac Road, Potomac, MT 59823. 406-244-5581.
Courts
DMV
Montana — License and ID renewal
Montana — Driver license exam stations
Montana statewide resources
Transportation
- Montana Department of Transportation — Highway projects, travel information and services.
- Montana 511 — Road conditions, closures and incidents.
- MDT Traveler Information — Official travel planning and road information.
- Amtrak — Passenger rail routes, stations and schedules.
- Mountain Line Missoula — Missoula bus routes and service information.
- Streamline Bus — Gallatin Valley transit routes and schedules.
- Great Falls Transit — Great Falls transit service information.
- Billings Logan International Airport — Airport and passenger information.
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport — Airport and passenger information.
- Missoula Montana Airport — Airport and passenger information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Missoula County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Missoula County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
123,513 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,617.946 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Auditor, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with District Court, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Trails Bond Program, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Water and Sewer Revolving Loan Fund, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Office of Emergency Management, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff’s Office, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with School District Elections, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Missoula Public Library, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Local Businesses
Vannoy Enterprises LLC (Vannoy Chimney Sweep Supplies & Repairs
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below