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 Forklift Masts Missoula - Missoula (population 66,788) is a city within the western part of Montana. It is the 2nd biggest city in Montana and serves as the county seat of Missoula County. It is known as the "Hub of Five Valleys" due to its location at the convergence of five mountain ranges. The larger Missoula Metropolitan Area has a population of 109,299.
Missoula was founded during the year 1860 along the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers. It was originally named Hellgate Trading Post when it was part of Washington Territory. The settlement moved upstream to be nearer a convenient source of water which would allow the establishment of a lumber and flour mill. It was then called Missoula Mills, and eventually just Missoula. The settlement supplied settlers traveling west along the Mullan Road and the occupants of Fort Missoula. The Fort was built in the year 1877 to provide security for inhabitants. In 1883 the Northern Pacific Railway arrived within the region, sparking population growth and boosting the lumber business. During 1893 the Montana Legislature chose the City of Missoula as the site for the new first university of the state. During 1908 the U.S. Forest Service established its headquarters within Missoula.
For over 100 years, lumber and higher education would underpin the local economy. Other than those industries, the City of Missoula is a regional trade center serving a trading region consisting of around 180,000 individuals. The larger trading area encompasses the western third of the state including 301,000 people. Key sectors of the local economy are education, health care, financial services, transportation, government/social services, retail shopping, events, arts and culture.
The university is Missoula's biggest employer. The Community Medical Center and St. Patrick Hospital are the second and third biggest employers. Health care is the fastest growing business. Just more than 50% of all employment within Missoula derives from the retail and service industries. The City of Missoula produces a great deal of product for export, within the engineering, construction, forestry, beverage and transportation businesses. Tourism is an important sector with approximately 4 million visitors arriving from out of state on an annual basis.
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