Missoula County, Montana

Missoula County Education, Geography, and History

Missoula County is a county located in the State of Montana. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 109,426, making it the second-most populous county in Montana. Its county seat and largest city is Missoula. The county was founded in 1860.

Missoula County comprises the Missoula, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Etymology - Origin of Missoula County Name

Supposedly a contraction of the Flathead word, "im-i-sul-e-etiku", meaning "by or near the place of fear or ambush", a reference to Hell Gate Canyon, in which Flathead Native Americans were sometimes attacked by Blackfeet

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Missoula County History

Missoula County was created 2 February 1865 as an original county. County seat: Missoula

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,618 square miles (6,781 km²), of which, 2,598 square miles (6,729 km²) of it is land and 20 square miles (53 km²) of it (0.78%) is water.

Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Mineral County, Montana - west
• Sanders County, Montana - northwest
• Lake County, Montana - north
• Flathead County, Montana - northeast
• Powell County, Montana - east
• Granite County, Montana - southeast
• Ravalli County, Montana - south
• Idaho County, Idaho - southwest
• Clearwater County, Idaho - southwest

Education

School districts

Missoula County is home to 18 school districts (13 Elementary, 2 Secondary, and 3 Unified)

Colleges and universities

Missoula County is home to the University of Montana and the University of Montana College of Technology.

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