BtoBers

Moving to Libby, Montana

by · Published · Updated

Libby, Montana is situated in the northwestern corner of the state, nestled between the Kootenai National Forest and Canada’s Glacier National Park. The city enjoys a mild climate with warm summers and cold winters. It gets an average of 35 inches of rain and snow a year, making it an ideal place to enjoy outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hiking.

The history of Libby dates back to the late 1800s when it was founded as a logging town. Throughout the years, it has seen a variety of industries come and go including mining, lumbering, and tourism. In recent years, Libby has become more focused on tourism as well as its agricultural industry. It’s also known for its natural beauty with many nearby parks and nature reserves to explore.

Politically speaking, Libby is part of Lincoln County which leans slightly Republican in its voting habits. The local government is made up of five members who are elected by citizens every four years. There is also a mayor who serves as head of government for the city itself.

The economy in Libby relies heavily on tourism but also has strong agricultural roots due to its location near several farms and ranches in the area. There are also several small businesses that call Libby home such as restaurants, shops, galleries, and services like auto repair or legal aid offices.

Schools in Libby are part of the Lincoln County School District which consists of six elementary schools for grades K-5; two middle schools for grades 6-8; one high school for grades 9-12; one alternative school; one vocational school; and one adult education center. Each school offers a variety of extracurricular activities from athletics to music programs that help students develop their talents outside the classroom setting as well.

When it comes to landmarks in Libby there are plenty to choose from! Some popular spots include Kootenai Falls which is located just outside town; Lake Koocanusa which offers some amazing views from nearby vistas; Mount Henry which provides hikers with breathtaking views across northwest Montana; and Big Creek which features some impressive rapids perfect for kayaking or rafting adventures!

Population: 2,626. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,648 (+0.8% change)
Males: 1,228 (46.8%), Females: 1,398 (53.2%)

Lincoln County

Zip code: 59923

Demographics

Median resident age: 43.2 years
Median household income: $24,276
Median house value: $63,500

Population by Race

Races in Libby:

  • White Non-Hispanic (94.7%)
  • American Indian (2.9%)
  • Two or more races (1.9%)
  • Hispanic (1.2%)
  • Other race (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (22.0%), English (13.6%), Irish (13.2%), Norwegian (10.9%), French (6.2%), Scottish (3.7%).

Elevation: 2062 feet

Land area: 1.3 square miles

Population by Education

Libby, Montana is a small town with a population of about 2,700 people. It is located in Lincoln County and is the largest town in the area. The majority of the population is Caucasian, with smaller numbers of Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics. The median age of Libby residents is 43 years old and approximately 17% of the population are under 18 years old. The average household size is 2.5 people per household and there are approximately 1,200 households in Libby. The median household income is $36,000 and the unemployment rate hovers around 4%.

Libby’s economy relies heavily on forestry and timber products such as wood chips, saw logs and plywood. Manufacturing industries such as metal fabrication and plastics processing also contribute to the local economy. Tourism has become a major industry for Libby as well with many visitors coming to explore nearby Kootenai National Forest or take advantage of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, camping and hiking. Shopping centers can be found throughout downtown Libby which feature restaurants, boutiques, galleries and more. There are several churches in Libby that represent many different faiths including Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran and Methodist denominations.

For population 25 years and over in Libby

  • High school or higher: 78.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.9%
  • Unemployed: 15.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 11.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Libby city

  • Never married: 18.0%
  • Now married: 51.1%
  • Separated: 2.3%
  • Widowed: 13.6%
  • Divorced: 15.0%

1.9% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -147 (-5.3%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Libby:

  • ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN HOSPITAL – CAH (350 LOUISIANA AVENUE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Libby:

  • BOUNDARY COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 65 miles; BONNERS FERRY, ID)
  • BONNER GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 69 miles; SANDPOINT, ID)
  • SHOSHONE MEDICAL CENTER (about 70 miles; KELLOGG, ID)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Libby:

  • GLACIER PARK INTL (about 91 miles; KALISPELL, MT; Abbreviation: FCA)
  • COEUR D’ALENE AIR TERM (about 98 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Abbreviation: COE)
  • MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL (about 145 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Abbreviation: MSO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Libby:

  • LIBBY (about 9 miles; LIBBY, MT; Abbreviation: S59)
  • TROY (about 25 miles; TROY, MT; Abbreviation: 57S)
  • HOLIDAY SHORES (about 52 miles; EAST HOPE, ID; Abbreviation: 2C9)

Amtrak station:
LIBBY (100 MINERAL AVE.). Services: partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.
 

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Libby:

  • NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (about 98 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,988)
  • SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 132 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,564)
  • UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (about 133 miles; MOSCOW, ID; Full-time enrollment: 9,823)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA (about 136 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Full-time enrollment: 11,112)
  • GONZAGA UNIVERSITY (about 140 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,860)
  • SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 144 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 6,284)
  • EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 156 miles; CHENEY, WA; Full-time enrollment: 7,852)

Schools

Public high school in Libby:

  • LIBBY HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 574; Location: 150 EDUCATION WAY; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Libby:

  • LIBBY MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 491; Location: 101 SKI ROAD; Grades: 05 – 08)
  • LIBBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 444; Location: 700 IDAHO AVENUE; Grades: PK – 04)

Private primary/middle schools in Libby:

  • KOOTENAI VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCH (Students: 41; Location: 565 CITY SERVICE RD; Grades: KG – 8)
  • LIBBY ADVENTIST SCHOOL (Students: 20; Location: 88 AIRFIELD RD; Grades: 1 – 8)
  • LITTLE LOG CABIN SCHOOL (Students: 13; Location: 5215 FARM TO MARKET; Grades: 1 – 7)

Libraries

Library in Libby:

  • LINCOLN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $380,252; Location: 220 W 6TH ST; 37,364 books; 985 audio materials; 1,299 video materials; 131 serial subscriptions)

Related Posts: