Building on our heritage and culture of mining and forestry, South Lincoln County is embarking upon a new future.

In recent years these communities have suffered economic decline after loss of traditional mining and forestry jobs and the closure of a local mill. The long term fluctuation in mining and timber production has strengthened the commitment to broaden our economic development strategy. Effort is being made to establish infrastructure to attract new business, as well as to cultivate entrepreneurship and existing business expansion.

About the Region:

Lincoln County is located in the most northern corner of Montana. The communities of Troy and Libby comprise the population centers of south Lincoln County. The major road access is served by US Highway 2 running predominantly east and west across the state of Montana. The BNSF Railway (the Great Northern Corridor) runs through Libby and Troy and spans the northern United States between the Pacific Northwest ports and Chicago. Amtrak’s Empire Builder passenger train departs daily from the unstaffed Libby Station traveling to the west coast in the morning and the east coast in the evening. Kootenai Business Park is undergoing a rail rehabilitation project to reestablish their spur to the BNSF Rail way. Broadband is available from two providers, MontanaSky West and Frontier Communications.

Population and Demographics:

According to 2014 Census estimates, there are 19,125 people living in Lincoln County The populations of Libby and Troy are 2,656 and 924 in 2014.
Median Income for residents living in Lincoln County is $35,603 (Libby, $25,797 and Troy, $26,523). Both are significantly lower than the state, at $46,766 and the nation, at $53,482 (ACS, 2010-2014). Area income has been affected by changes in the local economy, which had been largely driven by natural resource-based industries. The County average hourly wage in 2016 is $15.92.

Mileage Charts:

Kalispell, MT: 89 miles
Missoula, MT: 191 miles
Sandpoint, ID: 84 miles
Spokane, WA: 156 miles
Seattle, WA: 434 miles
Canadian Border: 87 miles