Editing Libby, Montana

{{short description|City in Montana, United States}}
{{for|the film|Libby, Montana (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Libby, Montana
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    =
|image_skyline            = File:Libby, Montana - date unknown (14604413572).jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Looking west-southwest
|image_map                = Lincoln_County_Montana_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Libby_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Libby, Montana
|pushpin_map              = Montana#USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = 
|pushpin_label            = Libby
|pushpin_label_position   =
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Montana]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Montana|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Lincoln County, Montana|Lincoln]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 5, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 4.86
|area_land_km2            = 4.77
|area_water_km2           = 0.09
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.88
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.84
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2775
|population_density_km2   = 581.64
|population_density_sq_mi = 1506.51
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 2103
|coordinates              = {{coord|48|22|47|N|115|33|17|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 59923
|area_code                = [[Area code 406|406]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 30-43450
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2410831<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410831}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|cityoflibby.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Libby''' is a city in northwestern [[Montana]], United States and the [[county seat]] of [[Lincoln County, Montana|Lincoln County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The population was 2,775 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref>

Libby suffered from the area's contamination from nearby [[vermiculite]] mines contaminated with particularly fragile [[asbestos]], leading to the town's inclusion in the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]'s National Priorities List status in 2002 and Public Health Emergency event in 2009. Most risk was reduced by 2015.

Local natural features, such as the [[Kootenai Falls]], have attracted tourism to the area and have been featured in movies, such as ''[[The River Wild]]'' (1994) and ''[[The Revenant (2015 film)|The Revenant]]'' (2015). There is a public school district and a public library, and the town is in-district for [[Flathead Valley Community College]], which operates the Lincoln County Campus there.

== History ==
Continental and alpine [[Glacier#Types|glaciers]] shaped the area's valleys and lakes. The first [[indigenous peoples]] arrived at least 8,000 years ago and hunted and gathered for food.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Kootenai National Forest – History & Culture|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/kootenai/learning/history-culture|access-date=2021-03-09|website=[[US Forest Service]]}}</ref> The earliest known American settler, David Thompson, arrived in the 1800s, and early American economic activity included "fur trading, railroad construction, mining, and logging."<ref name=":2" /> Miners flocked to Libby Creek in 1867. It was deserted by the 1870s. In 1892, with the arrival of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]], the town moved downstream and the name was shortened from Libbysville to Libby.<ref name="mhs">{{cite web |title=Libby |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |website=Montana Place Names Companion |publisher=Montana Historical Society |access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
Libby is on [[U.S. Route 2 in Montana|U.S. Route 2]] at its junction with [[Montana Highway 37]]. It is at the confluence of Libby Creek and the [[Kootenay River|Kootenai River]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|1.95|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.91|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref> Libby is in the [[Kootenai National Forest]], between the [[Cabinet Mountains]] to the south and the [[Purcell Mountains]] to the north, the town lies in the heart of the Kootenai Valley along the [[Kootenay River|Kootenai River]], and downstream from the [[Libby Dam]]. Libby is at an [[elevation]] of {{convert|2096|ft|round=5}} above [[sea level]].

Libby experiences a [[Humid continental climate|continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'').

{{Weather box
|location = Libby, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–2022
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 56
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 75
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 102
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 105
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 73
|Dec record high F = 65

|Jan avg record high F = 45.3
|Feb avg record high F = 51.6
|Mar avg record high F = 65.7
|Apr avg record high F = 78.4
|May avg record high F = 88.2
|Jun avg record high F = 94.1
|Jul avg record high F = 99.9
|Aug avg record high F = 99.3
|Sep avg record high F = 91.1
|Oct avg record high F = 75.7
|Nov avg record high F = 54.6
|Dec avg record high F = 43.1
|year avg record high F = 101.5

|Jan high F = 34.4
|Feb high F = 40.9
|Mar high F = 51.8
|Apr high F = 61.5
|May high F = 72.6
|Jun high F = 79.6
|Jul high F = 89.3
|Aug high F = 89.6
|Sep high F = 77.6
|Oct high F = 58.5
|Nov high F = 41.1
|Dec high F = 32.8
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 27.9
|Feb mean F = 31.5
|Mar mean F = 39.3
|Apr mean F = 46.6
|May mean F = 55.6
|Jun mean F = 62.5
|Jul mean F = 69.2
|Aug mean F = 68.5
|Sep mean F = 59.2
|Oct mean F = 46.2
|Nov mean F = 34.7
|Dec mean F = 27.3
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 21.5
|Feb low F = 22.2
|Mar low F = 26.8
|Apr low F = 31.7
|May low F = 38.7
|Jun low F = 45.4
|Jul low F = 49.2
|Aug low F = 47.4
|Sep low F = 40.9
|Oct low F = 33.8
|Nov low F = 28.3
|Dec low F = 21.8
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -0.5
|Feb avg record low F = 2.4
|Mar avg record low F = 12.8
|Apr avg record low F = 21.6
|May avg record low F = 25.9
|Jun avg record low F = 33.3
|Jul avg record low F = 38.6
|Aug avg record low F = 36.7
|Sep avg record low F = 28.6
|Oct avg record low F = 20.3
|Nov avg record low F = 12.0
|Dec avg record low F = 2.9
|year avg record low F = -9.7

|Jan record low F = -46
|Feb record low F = -37
|Mar record low F = -20
|Apr record low F = -5
|May record low F = 12
|Jun record low F = 24
|Jul record low F = 30
|Aug record low F = 26
|Sep record low F = 13
|Oct record low F = -7
|Nov record low F = -19
|Dec record low F = -39

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.92
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.29
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.73
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.14
|May precipitation inch = 1.66
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.04
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.91
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.74
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.09
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.82
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.29
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.52
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 14.3
|Feb precipitation days = 10.0
|Mar precipitation days = 11.9
|Apr precipitation days = 9.8
|May precipitation days = 10.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.6
|Jul precipitation days = 6.8
|Aug precipitation days = 5.3
|Sep precipitation days = 7.2
|Oct precipitation days = 10.1
|Nov precipitation days = 13.4
|Dec precipitation days = 14.0

|Jan snow inch = 11.8
|Feb snow inch = 5.4
|Mar snow inch = 3.8
|Apr snow inch = 0.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 6.3
|Dec snow inch = 20.4
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 7.2
|Feb snow days = 4.6
|Mar snow days = 2.2
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 2.3
|Dec snow days = 7.7

|Jan snow depth inch = 12.3
|Feb snow depth inch = 10.3
|Mar snow depth inch = 6.2
|Apr snow depth inch = 0.4
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.6
|Nov snow depth inch = 3.5
|Dec snow depth inch = 11.2
|year snow depth inch = 14.6

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00245015&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Libby 1 NE RS, MT
|access-date = February 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima, snow depth 1981&ndash;2010)<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mso
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Missoula
|access-date = February 21, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 260
|1900= 296
|1910= 630
|1920= 1522
|1930= 1752
|1940= 1837
|1950= 2401
|1960= 2828
|1970= 3286
|1980= 2748
|1990= 2532
|2000= 2626
|2010= 2628
|2020= 2775
|footnote=source:<ref>Moffatt, Riley. ''Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990''. [[Lanham, Maryland|Lanham]]: Scarecrow, 1996, 132.</ref><br />U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]] counted 2,775 people, 1,297 households, and 644 families in Libby.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name=:2020>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20dp1 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The population density was 1,506.5 per square mile (581.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 1,428 housing units at an average density of 775.2 per square mile (299.3/km{{sup|2}}).<ref name=:2020/><ref>{{Cite web   |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2020/geo/gazetter-file.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> The racial makeup was 90.52% (2,512) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] or [[European American]] (89.62% [[Non-Hispanic White|non-Hispanic white]]), 0.07% (2) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]] or [[African American|African-American]], 1.23% (34) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]], 1.08% (30) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.18% (5) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]], 0.86% (24) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.05% (168) from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20p1&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 2.74% (76) of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20p2&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

Of the 1,297 households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18; 35.0% were married couples living together; 33.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 43.6% of households consisted of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name=:2020/> The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 3.0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1101?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s1101%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 11.5% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1501?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s1501%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

20.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males.<ref name=:2020/> For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 105.0 males.<ref name=:2020/>

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]] estimates show that the median household income was $37,434 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,721) and the median family income was $46,905 (+/- $14,298).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1903?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s1903%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Males had a median income of $28,533 (+/- $6,664) versus $25,685 (+/- $4,127) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,188 (+/- $2,184).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S2001?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s2001%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Approximately, 9.7% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.4% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those ages 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1701?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s1701%20&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2020.S1702?q=Libby%20city,%20Montana%20s1702&y=2020 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="2010 Census">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 18, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,628 people, 1,252 households, and 647 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1375.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,416 housing units at an average density of {{convert|741.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 1,252 households, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.3% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 45.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

==Economy and environment==
[[Image:Libby, Montana.jpg|thumb|Downtown Libby]]
Libby's economy had been largely supported in the past by the use of natural resources, such as logging and mining. Mining and timber mills have since closed down. Tourism is playing an increasing role in the local economy. The [[Libby Dam]] is {{convert|17|mi|km}} upstream from Libby, one of the [[Columbia River Treaty]] Dams, finished in 1975.<!--must have employed lots locally, I don't know enough to cite/add that though-->   Libby is known as the "City of Eagles". Several eagle sculptures can be found around town, including a {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} eagle at both ends of town.

In 1961, area volunteers opened the Turner Ski Area about 20 miles north of Libby. Owned by a nonprofit foundation, the Ski Area served around 4,600 visits per year in 2017/2018 and relies on volunteer hours and donations for most of its services.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menzel|first=Claire|date=2019-01-06|title=Why are Northwest Montana's Ski Areas Still Independent?|url=https://flatheadbeacon.com/2019/01/06/northwest-montanas-ski-areas-still-independent/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Flathead Beacon|language=en}}</ref> In the mid-1980s, a major [[ski resort]] was proposed for Great Northern Mountain, {{convert|20|mi|round=5|spell=in}} south of Libby.<ref name=srenv>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wFdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8O4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6959%2C1162131 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Sher |first=Jeff |title=Super resort envisioned |date=March 4, 1984 |page=B1}}</ref> Discussions on land usage and wildlife reached the [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]] in the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water, and ultimately the ski resort was not built.<ref>{{Cite book|last=United States Congress Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ee1KAQAAIAAJ|title=Montana Wilderness: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Ninety-eighth Congress, First Session, to Review the Montana Wilderness Recommendations, Missoula, Mont., July 5, 1983; Anaconda, Mont., July 7, 1983, Great Falls, Mont., July 9, 1983|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1984|pages=195|language=en}}</ref>

Libby's energy usage includes or potentially includes multiple renewable resources: biomass, hydroelectric, and solar. In 2008, a report found that wood pellet waste from nearby lumber mills could be used to produce several megawatts of electricity.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=June 2008|title=From Wood Waste to Renewable Energy: A Summary Report of Wood Utilization Efforts in Heating Systems in the Western United States and Territories|url=https://www.thewflc.org/sites/default/files/295_pdf.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512110253/https://www.thewflc.org/sites/default/files/295_pdf.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-12 |url-status=live|journal=Western Forestry Leadership Coalition}}</ref> The Flathead Electric Co-op began purchasing up to 2.5 megawatts of power from the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company in 2013 with a twenty year contract, leading to the construction of "a biomass-fueled electric generation facility at their plant near [[Columbia Falls, Montana|Columbia Falls]]."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Stoltze Biomass Facility|url=https://www.flatheadelectric.com/innovative-projects/stoltze-biomass/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Flathead Electric Cooperative|date=May 18, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Co-op "receives [[Renewable Energy Certificate (United States)|Renewable Energy Credits]]."<ref name=":0" /> The city also generates and sells hydroelectric energy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016|title=Libby Hydro|url=https://www.flatheadelectric.com/innovative-projects/libby-hydro/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Flathead Electric Cooperative|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, a statewide appraisal of Montana public schools' solar power potential, the Montana Community Solar Project, assessed Libby's schools and found the buildings had good potential, but installing solar panels would be financially inefficient as the schools' "electric demand charges [were] in the 92nd percentile when compared against the cohort of 25 schools."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Resources and Information|url=http://mtsolarcommunity.mt.gov/resources|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=Montana Community Solar Project|archive-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206003921/http://mtsolarcommunity.mt.gov/Resources|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Vermiculite mine and asbestos contamination===
In 1919, [[vermiculite]] was discovered in the mountains near town. In 1963 [[W. R. Grace and Company]] bought the local mine, by which time it was producing 80% of the vermiculite in the world.<ref name="tgn">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/08/usa-mining-libby-montana|title=Welcome to Libby, Montana, the town that was poisoned|author=Joanna Walters|date=March 7, 2009|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> Because the local vermiculite contains asbestos, and the mine's byproducts were used in local buildings and landscaping, the town suffered from an extremely high rate of [[asbestosis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Matthew |last2=Hanson |first2=Amy Beth |date=2024-04-19 |title=BNSF Railway says it didn't know about asbestos that's killed hundreds in Montana town |url=https://apnews.com/article/libby-asbestos-warren-buffett-railroad-pollution-cd9a904dd919a171b0c4c93899867e42 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Nearly 10% of the population died from asbestos contamination, and the federal government later charged company officials for complicity.<ref name="tgn"/> On May 8, 2009, W.R. Grace & Co. was acquitted of charges that it knowingly harmed the people of Libby. It was also acquitted of subsequently participating in any cover-up. Fred Festa, chairman, president and CEO said in a statement, "the company worked hard to keep the operations in compliance with the laws and standards of the day."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baldwin |first=Clare |date=2009-05-09 |title=W.R. Grace acquitted in asbestos case, shares leap |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE5475GI20090508/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> In 2004, ''[[Libby, Montana (film)|Libby, Montana]]'', a documentary on the situation, was released.

On June&nbsp;17, 2009, the EPA declared its first public health emergency, which covered Libby and nearby [[Troy, Montana|Troy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-22 |title=Jury: BNSF Railway contributed to 2 deaths in Montana town where asbestos sickened thousan |url=https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/jury-bnsf-railway-contributed-to-2-deaths-in-montana-town-where-asbestos-sickened-thousan |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=KECI |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> It had provided an additional $130&nbsp;million in cleanup and medical assistance.<ref name=CNN/> The 2010 [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] includes a provision which provided [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] coverage to individuals of such public health emergencies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/health/policy/21healthcare.html|title=Deep in Health Bill, Very Specific Beneficiaries |last=Pear|first=Robert|date=December 20, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_f46c85e6-eddc-11de-a34f-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Libby is big winner in Senate's mammoth health care bill|last=Werner|first=Erica|date=December 21, 2009|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Missoulian|access-date=December 22, 2009}}</ref>
 
By 2015, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) was concluding the removal of asbestos-contaminated soils and other suspect materials in and near Libby<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/17/montana.asbestos/index.html|title=Asbestos cleanup 'emergency' declared in Montana town|date=June 17, 2009|work=CNN|access-date=December 22, 2009}}</ref> and had spent $425&nbsp;million in [[Superfund]] money on cleanup.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/04/libby-montana-asbestos-superfund_n_857713.html |  title = Libby, Montana: Health Risk Remains In Asbestos-Plagued Town  | work = Huffington Post | date = May 3, 2011 | access-date = July 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/04/libby-montana-asbestos-superfund_n_857713.html  |title=Libby Asbestos|work= Huffington Post |access-date=July 5, 2011 |date=May 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = Petition For Writ of Certiorari, W.R. Grace & Co., Kootenai Development Company, and W.R. Grace & Co.- Conn, petitioners  | date = April 27, 2006 | url = http://www.scotusblog.com/archives/W.R.GracePetition%28Apr.27,2006%29.pdf | access-date = August 4, 2010}}</ref> That year, an EPA review of toxicity and risks found that the cleanups had managed asbestos exposure risk effectively. By the end of 2018, the EPA had removed "more than one million cubic yards of contaminated soil," and area cleanup was completed that year, except for the location of the former mine, which is the disposal site of the contaminated soil. Contaminated construction materials were disposed of "in a specially designed landfill cell."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Libby Asbestos Site; Cleanup activities|url=https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0801744|access-date=2021-01-22|website=cumulis.epa.gov|language=en}}</ref> The remaining contamination is limited to the forests and property in or near the former mine, with cleanup plans pending and with controls for higher exposures during wildfire fighting.<ref name=":1" />

In 2020, the EPA transferred control of the site to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bolton|first=Aaron|title=EPA Moves To Transfer Oversight Of Libby, Troy Superfund Sites To Montana|url=https://www.mtpr.org/post/epa-moves-transfer-oversight-libby-troy-superfund-sites-montana|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Montana Public Radio|date=31 October 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Matthew|title=US transfers care for towns polluted with asbestos to state|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/us-transfers-care-for-towns-polluted-with-asbestos-to-state/2020/07/01/80e0f6c8-bbc8-11ea-97c1-6cf116ffe26c_story.html|access-date=2020-12-13|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The same year, the local Center for Asbestos began offering testing for [[Autoantibody|autoimmune markers]] for [[pleural disease]], which would act as an early screen for at-risk patients.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Disease|first=Center for Asbestos Related|title=Autoantibodies Established as Useful Tool for Screening Patients with Libby, MT Asbestos Exposure|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autoantibodies-established-as-useful-tool-for-screening-patients-with-libby-mt-asbestos-exposure-301003123.html|access-date=2020-12-21|website=PR Newswire|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=(ANA) Antinuclear Antibodies|url=https://libbyasbestos.org/ana/|access-date=2020-12-21|website=CARD in Libby, MT|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Ground water contamination ===
A second EPA Superfund site is the Libby Ground Water Contamination site at a former lumber and plywood mill which ceased operations in 1969. The mill's disposal practices and spills contaminated the soil, surface water, and groundwater with chemicals including [[pentachlorophenol]], which the EPA discovered in nearby well water in 1979. Site reviews are held every five years, and as of 2020, several controls are in place to prevent contact with and consumption of contaminated materials.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LIBBY GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION Site Profile|url=https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0800412|access-date=2020-12-21|website=United States Environmental Protection Agency|language=en}}</ref>

== Government ==
=== Local government ===
{{as of|2022}} the mayor and city council members are:
* Mayor: Peggy Williams<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewesternnews.com/news/2021/aug/27/williams-appointed-mayor-libby/ |title=Peggy Williams appointed mayor of Libby |website=thewesternnews.com |date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2021}}</ref>
* City Council: Gary Beach, Melissa Berke, Zachariah McNew, Kristin Smith, Hugh Taylor, and Brian Zimmerman<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cityoflibby.com/your-government/city-council/ |title=City Council |website=cityoflibby.com |access-date=March 15, 2022}}</ref>

==Media==
;Radio
* [[List of Three Angels Broadcasting Network affiliates|KHRU-LP]] FM 93.1<ref>{{cite web |title=KHRU-LP |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=196175 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> religious
* [[KLCB]] AM 1230<ref>{{cite web |title=KLCB |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=37526 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> [[country music]]
* [[KTNY]] FM 101.7<ref>{{cite web |title=KTNY |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=37524 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref>  [[adult hits]]
* [[KUFL]] FM 90.5<ref>{{cite web |title=KUFL |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=173730 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref> (local [[NPR]] station)

;Newspaper
* ''Kootenai Valley Record'' - Weekly 
* ''The Western News''- biweekly (Lincoln county newspaper of public record)
* ''The Montanian - Weekly''

==Education==
Public education in Libby is administered by the Libby School District.<ref>[http://libby.k12.mt.us/ Libby School District] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324101110/http://www.libby.k12.mt.us/ |date=2009-03-24 }}</ref> The district operates Libby Elementary School and Libby Middle-High School.<ref>[http://libby.k12.mt.us/?q=lhs Libby High School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427123630/http://www.libby.k12.mt.us/?q=lhs |date=2011-04-27 }}</ref><ref>[http://libby.k12.mt.us/?q=lms Libby Middle School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209223517/http://www.libby.k12.mt.us/?q=lms |date=2010-02-09 }}</ref>

Libby Adventist Christian School and Kootenai Valley Christian School are private institutions.<ref>[http://www.kvcs.info/ Kootenai Valley Christian School]</ref><ref>[http://libby22.adventistschoolconnect.org/ Libby Adventist Christian School]</ref>

Libby has a [[public library]], a branch of the Lincoln County Public Libraries.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://publiclibraries.com/state/montana/ | title=Montana Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref> Established in 1920 after residents petitioned the Board of County Commissioners, the county free library first operated out of the former Libby Woman’s Club building. The Woman's Club had formerly sponsored a small library of two thousand books for Libby citizens, and members of the Woman’s Club voted to donate the collection to kickstart the new library's circulating collection. The library moved buildings for the next few decades until its current building, the Inez R. Herrig building, was built in 1964. Branches were established in other county towns, and from 1956 to 1974, a bookmobile served smaller areas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Library History|url=http://www.lincolncountylibraries.com/library-history/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Lincoln County Library|language=en-US}}</ref> The library now provides programming <!-- ??? Provides computers???? --> for children and adults and online services such as mobile data hotspots for borrowing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hot Spots|url=http://www.lincolncountylibraries.com/adult-programming/hot-spots/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Lincoln County Library|language=en-US|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129052317/http://www.lincolncountylibraries.com/adult-programming/hot-spots/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Libby station - May 2017.jpg|thumb|Libby Amtrak station]]

[[Flathead Valley Community College]] offers courses through its Lincoln County Campus in Libby.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lincoln County Campus|url=https://www.fvcc.edu/lincoln-county-campus/|website=Flathead Valley Community College|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-11}}</ref> This campus operates the Glacier Bank Adult Basic Education Learning Center "where students can take free classes in preparation for their GED exams."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fvcc.edu/lincoln-county-campus/|title = Lincoln County Campus}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Libby is located on the [[BNSF Railway]]'s [[Northern Transcon]]. [[Amtrak]] serves Libby through a [[Libby station|local station]].

[[U.S. Route 2 in Montana|U.S. Route 2]] and [[Montana Highway 37|Highway 37]] meet at a traffic light in the center of town.

[[Libby Airport]] is a public use airport seven miles south of town.
<!--- Libby	S59			Libby Airport	GA	34  -->

==Notable people==
* [[Steve Gunderson (Montana politician)|Steve Gunderson]], politician in Montana, serving [[Montana House of Representatives]] for District 1<ref>{{cite web |url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/168443/steven-gunderson |title=Steve Gunderson's Biography |publisher=[[Vote Smart]] |access-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ralph Heinert]], engineer and politician in Montana, serving [[Montana House of Representatives]] for District 1<ref>{{cite web |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/40309/ralph-heinert-jr |title=Ralph Heinert Jr.'s Biography |publisher=[[Vote Smart]] |access-date=August 18, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ryggs Johnston]], golfer
* [[John Lovick]], magician
* [[Scott MacDonald (actor)|Scott MacDonald]], actor
* [[Destiney Sue Moore]], television personality, best known for her appearance on the second season of [[Rock of Love]] 
* [[Duane Nellis]], president of [[Ohio University]] 
* [[Marc Racicot]], [[List of Governors of Montana|Governor of Montana]] (1993–2001), Chairman of [[Republican National Committee]] (2003–2004)
* [[Keith Tower]], NBA player

== Popular culture ==
The nearby [[Kootenai Falls]] and the Swinging Bridge were featured in the 1994 movie ''[[The River Wild]]''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Recreational Opportunities in and around the City of Troy, Montana|url=https://www.cityoftroymontana.com/recreation.html|access-date=2020-12-12|website=www.cityoftroymontana.com|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907035219/http://www.cityoftroymontana.com/recreation.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original bridge was constructed by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] during the Great Depression, and the falls are a sacred site to the [[Kutenai]] tribes who originally lived in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kootenai Falls, Libby, Montana|url=http://www.libbymt.com/areaattractions/kootenaifalls.htm|access-date=2020-12-12|website=www.libbymt.com}}</ref>

The Kootenai Falls were featured in the 2015 movie [[The Revenant (2015 film)|''The Revenant'']].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-12-20|title=Oscar Force 'The Revenant' Shot Near Libby|url=https://flatheadbeacon.com/2015/12/20/the-revenant/|access-date=2020-12-12|website=Flathead Beacon|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|cityoflibby.com}}
* [http://www.libbychamber.org Libby Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://missoulian.com/news/local/cruel-story-of-libbys-lost-logging-heritage/article_c89e44d9-8138-5d15-87b6-f6f5c37625b3.html Cruel story of Libby's lost logging heritage (May 9, 2009)]
* [https://flatheadliving.com/2020/01/23/logger-pride/ Logger Pride (January 2020)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806213243/https://flatheadliving.com/2020/01/23/logger-pride/ |date=August 6, 2020 }}

{{Lincoln County, Montana}}
{{Steamboats Columbia River headwaters}}
{{Montana county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Environmental disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:Cities in Lincoln County, Montana]]
[[Category:County seats in Montana]]
[[Category:Asbestos]]
[[Category:Superfund sites in Montana]]
[[Category:2009 in Montana]]
[[Category:Cities in Montana]]