Florence, Montana

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Florence (Salish: čp̓úƛ̓us <ref name = "tachinipete1">Template:Cite book</ref>) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ravalli County, Montana. County Line Rd is on the northern edge of the city limits dividing it from Missoula County, Montana. The population was 821 at the 2020 census.

History

File:USGS - NHAP - Florence, MT 1982 - Color Infrared.png

USGS aerial photograph of Florence in 1982

Florence was named for Florence Abbott Hammond, wife of A. B. Hammond, a lumber baron.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was instrumental in securing a branch of the Northern Pacific Railway in the Bitterroot Valley.<ref name="place names">Template:Cite web</ref> The railway was immensely important in developing the lumber industry and apple production in the 1910s.<ref name="place names" />

Geography

Florence is located between the Sapphire and Bitterroot Mountains. The Bitterroot River is to the east. The Threemile Wildlife Management Area, about Template:Convert east, provides a winter range habitat for big game.<ref name="threemile">Template:Cite web</ref>

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Template:US Census population As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 901 people, 323 households, and 266 families residing in the CDP. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 336 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.12% White, 1.44% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.44% Pacific Islander, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.

There were 323 households, out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,286, and the median income for a family was $47,946. Males had a median income of $29,219 versus $20,795 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,626. About 9.2% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

The Bitterroot River is a Blue Ribbon fishery. A popular river for fly fishing, the river has native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.

The Threemile Wildlife Management Area has wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities. Animals include bobcats, elk, mule deer, and various raptors.

Education

The Florence-Carlton School District educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2021-2022 school year a total of 813 students were enrolled.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Florence-Carlton High School's team name is the Falcons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>