Moving to Pablo, Montana

Pablo, Montana is a small town located in the Flathead Indian Reservation of western Montana. According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Pablo was 1,057 in 2019. The geography of Pablo is mostly flat with rolling hills and valleys. It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains and is known for its spectacular views. The climate of Pablo is temperate with warm summers and cold winters.

The history of Pablo dates back to the mid-1800s when settlers first arrived in the area. The town was officially established in 1891 and named after Chief Pablo who was a leader of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Since that time, it has been home to many generations of Native Americans and settlers alike.

Politics in Pablo are largely focused on local issues such as education, health care, jobs, and economic development. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are heavily involved in local politics as they are the main governing body for tribal members living on or near the reservation lands.

The economy of Pablo is largely based on agriculture, tourism, government services, and small businesses such as restaurants and convenience stores. There are also several schools located within the city limits including an elementary school, middle school, high school, and two tribal schools operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Education Department (CSKT).

Pablo also has some notable landmarks including Chief’s Point Park which serves as a gathering place for members of the tribe; St Ignatius Mission which was built in 1854; Flathead Lake which offers recreational activities such as fishing; and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge where visitors can observe native wildlife species like elk and deer roaming freely through their natural habitat.

Population: 1,814
Males: 861 (47.5%), Females: 953 (52.5%)

Lake County

Zip code: 59855

Demographics

Median resident age: 26.0 years
Median household income: $26,771
Median house value: $76,500

Population by Race

Races in Pablo:

  • American Indian (54.6%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (42.7%)
  • Two or more races (4.4%)
  • Hispanic (3.3%)
  • Other race (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (12.1%), Irish (12.1%), Norwegian (7.1%), Dutch (5.0%), English (3.1%), Danish (2.4%).

Elevation: 3085 feet

Land area: 4.9 square miles

Population by Education

Pablo, Montana is a small town located in the northwest corner of the state. It is close to Flathead Lake, which provides many recreational activities for visitors and residents alike. The population of Pablo is estimated to be around 1,000 people as of 2017. Most of the population consists of Native Americans and other people who have moved to the area for employment opportunities. The cost of living in Pablo is relatively low compared to other parts of Montana, with housing costs being particularly affordable. Renting an apartment in Pablo can range from $600-$800 per month on average, while buying a house can range from $90,000-$180,000 depending on size and location. Utilities such as electricity and water are also fairly inexpensive compared to other parts of the state. Groceries are also reasonably priced in Pablo with many local stores offering discounts on fresh produce and meats. There are also several restaurants in town that offer a variety of cuisine at reasonable prices. The overall cost-of-living index for Pablo is 95 out of 100, which makes it one of the most affordable places to live in Montana.

For population 25 years and over in Pablo

  • High school or higher: 75.3%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.5%
  • Unemployed: 15.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 12.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Pablo CDP

  • Never married: 25.2%
  • Now married: 56.7%
  • Separated: 0.6%
  • Widowed: 3.3%
  • Divorced: 14.1%

0.8% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Pablo:

  • ST LUKE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; RONAN, MT)
  • ST LUKE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL-CAH (about 5 miles; RONAN, MT)
  • ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL CORP (about 8 miles; POLSON, MT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Pablo:

  • MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL (about 49 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Abbreviation: MSO)
  • GLACIER PARK INTL (about 49 miles; KALISPELL, MT; Abbreviation: FCA)
  • BERT MOONEY (about 161 miles; BUTTE, MT; Abbreviation: BTM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Pablo:

  • RONAN (about 3 miles; RONAN, MT; Abbreviation: 7S0)
  • POLSON (about 8 miles; POLSON, MT; Abbreviation: 8S1)
  • ST IGNATIUS (about 20 miles; ST IGNATIUS, MT; Abbreviation: 52S)

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Pablo:

  • SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 746; Location: PO BOX 117; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.skc.edu)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Pablo:

  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA (about 34 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Full-time enrollment: 11,112)
  • NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (about 184 miles; COEUR D’ALENE, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,988)
  • UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (about 186 miles; MOSCOW, ID; Full-time enrollment: 9,823)
  • LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE (about 216 miles; LEWISTON, ID; Full-time enrollment: 2,213)
  • SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 223 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 5,564)
  • GONZAGA UNIVERSITY (about 230 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,860)
  • SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 234 miles; SPOKANE, WA; Full-time enrollment: 6,284)

Schools

Public high school in Pablo:

  • TWO EAGLE RIVER SCHOOL (Students: 128; Location: P.O. BOX 160; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Pablo:

  • PABLO SCHOOL (Students: 245; Location: 421 ANDREW ST NW; Grades: KG – 05)