Welcome to the Town of St. Ignatius St. Ignatius… A Great Place to Live!

The Town of St. Ignatius is defined not merely by geographical boundaries but by the shared values cherished by its residents. Embracing small-town ethics, responsible development, and the conservation of its historical, cultural, and natural legacy are some of the fundamental principles that make St. Ignatius an exceptional place to live.

Steeped in history and indigenous culture, St. Ignatius—known as snyél̓mn in Salish—is situated on the Flathead Indian Reservation, roughly 25 miles south of Flathead Lake. It is named after the St. Ignatius Mission, founded by the Belgian Jesuit missionary Fr. Pierre-Jean De Smet. Established around 1854, St. Ignatius predates Montana's statehood. In 1919, a forest fire devastated most of the town, sparing only a bank, a store, a hotel, and the historic Catholic Church located west of the town. The community was resilient, rebuilding its infrastructure, including a hospital.

Locally known as "Mission," St. Ignatius had a population of 842 according to the 2010 census.