Arlee, Montana

Arlee (Salish: nɫq̓alqʷ, nɫq̓a [1]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Montana, United States. The population was 636 at the 2010 census.[2] It is named after Alee, a Salish chief.[3] The chief's name has no "r", as the Salish alphabet has no letter "r".[4]

"Arlee" redirects here. For the community in West Virginia, see Arlee, West Virginia.
Arlee, Montana
Census-designated place
Red water tower in Arlee
Location of Arlee, Montana
Coordinates: 47°10′9″N 114°5′24″W
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyLake
Area
 • Total6.47 sq mi (16.75 km2)
 • Land6.47 sq mi (16.75 km2)
 • Water0.004 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
3,091 ft (942 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total636
 • Density98/sq mi (38.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59821
Area code(s)406
FIPS code30-02425
GNIS feature ID0801998

Geography

Arlee is located in southern Lake County at 47°10′9″N 114°5′24″W (47.169154, -114.089899),[5] in the Jocko Valley. U.S. Route 93 and Montana Highway 200 pass through the community together, leading northwest 10 miles (16 km) to Ravalli and south 17 miles (27 km) to Interstate 90 at Wye. Polson, the Lake county seat, is 43 miles (69 km) north of Arlee via US 93.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Arlee CDP has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km2), of which 93,452.27 square feet (8,682 m2), or 0.05%, are water.[6] The Jocko River passes through the northeast side of the community, flowing northwest past Ravalli to the Flathead River at Dixon. Via the Flathead River, it is part of the Clark Fork and Columbia River watershed.

Demographics

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 602 people, 235 households, and 161 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 92.8 people per square mile (35.9/km2). There were 268 housing units at an average density of 41.3 per square mile (16.0/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 45.85% White, 50.00% Native American, 0.66% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.15% of the population.

There were 235 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 20.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,188, and the median income for a family was $22,125. Males had a median income of $25,500 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,558. About 37.6% of families and 34.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.2% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
Rainbow over McLeod Peak looking east across Jocko Valley
Arlee Celebration Powwow
Tipis at Arlee Esyapqeyni 2015, the Arlee Celebration Pow Wow

Arlee was named after the Salish leader Arlee.[8] In October 1873, he moved a small group of his people from the Bitterroot Valley, which was designated a "conditional reservation" in the 1855 Hellgate Treaty, to the Jocko Agency[9] (later Flathead Indian Agency) located a few miles south of the current town of Arlee. This forced move stemmed from the efforts of a congressional delegation led by future president James Garfield to negotiate Salish removal from the Bitterroot Valley.[10]

The town and post office were established in 1885.[3]

Culture

Arlee has an annual summer pow wow celebration, the Arlee Esyapqeyni.[11] Montana Salish is taught at the Nkwusm Salish Immersion School.[12]

Hangin Art Gallery and Gallery Cafe, Arlee[13]

Salish is spoken in Arlee. Art is popular, and a gallery displays works by local artists.

Rodeo has been a significant part of the area culture, with Native and non-native contestants competing. The annual Arlee Rodeo and Pow Wow is held on the 4th of July weekend. Numerous tribes participate in Native American regalia with dancing, singing and drumming.

References
  1. Tachini, Pete (2010). Seliš nyoʻnuntn, Medicine for the Salish language : English to Salish translation dictionary (2nd ed.). Pablo, MT: Salish Kootenai College Press. p. 24. ISBN 9781934594063.
  2. "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Arlee CDP, Montana". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  3. Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983). Names on the Face of Montana. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 8. ISBN 0-87842-150-5.
  4. Christopher, Travis (November 19, 2009). "How Arlee Established Its Name" (PDF). The Jocko. p. 5. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Montana". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. Winser, Henry Jacob; Riley, William C. (1897). The Official Northern Pacific Railway Guide: For the Use of Tourists and Travelers Over the Lines of the Northern Pacific Railway and Its Branches. Northern Pacific Railway. p. 195.
  9. "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Historical Society. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  10. Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman Archived October 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Montana Historical Society Press.
  11. "Arlee Celebration". Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  12. Kim Briggeman (2012-09-02). "School keeping Salish language thriving in new generation". The Missoulian. Missoula, MT. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  13. Hangin Art Gallery, July 18, 2013
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