Getting to Know Missoula’s Neighborhoods: Lewis and Clark
With the many changes that have happened to Missoula over the years, one of the best ways to know what's happening in the city is to be informed about the neighborhood you live in. When possible, attend Neighborhood Council Meetings, but even knowing the demographics of your neighborhood can help inform decisions like voting for or against a levy in a municipal election.
Aside from a person's civic duty, data can be really interesting, and who wouldn't want to know more about where they live? In this series, we'll take a look at information from the City of Missoula's Neighborhood Profiles for each of Missoula's Neighborhoods, with all data cited below coming from the Neighborhood Profile. In this article, we'll look at the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood.
Where Is the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood?
The Lewis & Clark Neighborhood is located on the south side of Missoula and includes Playfair Park, Bancroft Ponds, and both Sentinel High School and Lewis & Clark Elementary. Even though students living in this neighborhood would attend Washington Middle School, technically, it's not located in this neighborhood. One corner of this neighborhood includes an intersection where four different streets intersect: Russel Ave, SW Higgins Ave, Hillview Way, and South 39th Street. Another includes the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Another, Cambie Taphouse + Coffee.
Who Lives in the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood?
A majority of the residents are White and Non-Hispanic while 4.4% are Hispanic and 7.1% are two or more races. The majority fall between the age of 25-34, with both the 15-24 age group and the 35-44 age group each accounting for roughly 13% of the population. The average age is approximately 33 which is the same for the city as a whole. The population of the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood in 2022 was 2,629 and grew by 4% in the last 10 years. Interestingly, it's a well-educated neighborhood with 98% of residents having a high school diploma or higher and 52% having a bachelor's degree or higher. With two schools and a large park, the neighborhood may feel even more youth-oriented than what the data suggests.
What Is the Housing Like in the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood?
You might think the neighborhood is full of homeowners given that 52% of the buildings are single-family units. However, 59% of the households are renter-occupied which is higher than the city average of 53%. Many of the buildings (houses) were built between 1951-1960 and you'll see similar architectural styles, many of which are ranch-style. But given the age of the buildings, you'll see houses that have been or are under renovation too. The median income, $51,650, is lower than the city's median of $54,820, but the rent is lower too with a median of $736 to $895.
Key Feature of the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood: Open Space
The Lewis & Clark Neighborhood features 77.5 acres of open space which contributes to the family-friendly, park-like feeling of the neighborhood. Many of the residents are within easy walking distance of Splash Montana, tennis matches at Playfair Park and events at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. It's easy to see why this has been and continues to be a desirable neighborhood.
For more information about the Lewis & Clark Neighborhood, visit this link.