New Polling Data_ How Flathead County Voters Want to Solve the Housing Shortage from Nathan Dugan, Liveable FlatheadFrom:Nathan Dugan
To:nathan@livableflathead.org
Subject:EXTERNAL New Polling Data: How Flathead County Voters Want to Solve the Housing Shortage
Date:Monday, March 2, 2026 4:00:08 PM
Good afternoon,
As you may have seen covered in today’s Flathead Beacon, we are publicly releasing the
results of a comprehensive new poll exploring how Flathead County voters want to address the
region's housing shortage and rapid growth.
I just published the complete report on Medium, which dives deep into the results. The data
reveals a remarkable consensus on the specific land-use policies voters want to see
implemented.
Here are the headline findings:
·
Two-thirds (67%) of Flathead County voters say the valley lacks adequate
housing options to meet the needs of Flathead Valley residents across
all income levels and family sizes.
Nearly seven in ten voters (69%) think cities should focus on
redeveloping land inside existing boundaries instead of sprawling
outward.
A majority of voters (54%) think cities should allow up to four small
homes per lot in all residential neighborhoods, except for the most rural
areas on the edge of town.
A resounding 84% of voters think cities should create more small
business opportunities by allowing corner stores, restaurants, coffee
shops, and pharmacies in most places.
Nearly two-thirds of voters (64%) think cities should let coffee shops,
businesses, and churches within walking distance of downtown
determine how much parking they need on their property.
While voters broadly agree on zoning solutions, they are more divided on
financial subsidies. Overall, 48% of voters support creating new local
funding sources for affordable housing, while 39% are opposed. These
opinions vary sharply by location — ranging from strong support in
Whitefish to slight opposition in Columbia Falls.
You can read the full analysis of the poll here: New Poll Shows that Flathead County Voters
Overwhelmingly Support More Housing Options
I am sharing this with you because actionable policy requires a shared understanding of where
the community actually stands. I would welcome the opportunity to connect and discuss what
this data means for the future of the valley.
Best,
--
Nathan Dugan Executive Director
Livable Flathead
(406) 209-8428 | nathan@livableflathead.org
Livable Flathead works to direct growth in the Flathead Valley proactively, using evidence-
based policies to foster economic opportunities, interconnected transportation, and abundant
housing options for all.
March 2, 2026
Flathead County, MT
Housing Survey Results
Embold Research
Fast. Accurate. Affordable.
About Embold Research
All of our surveys are completed online. We recruit fresh participants for every survey using targeted
advertisements on website and social media platforms, text messaging, and selective online panels.
In addition to custom polling, we offer:
•Magnify AI targeting (custom modeling)
•Voices qualitative research (in-depth interviews and text-based chats)
•ReSpark Renewable energy project viability and tracking (standardized and cost-effective polling)
Embold Research helps leaders better understand Americans’ wants and needs. We have a fresh take on
public opinion measurement. Our team brings expertise in methodological innovation, research design,
public opinion, and strategic consulting. Embold is the nonpartisan business unit of Change Research and
launched in 2021.
Who We Are
Our Unique
Approach
Our Products
METHODOLOGY
On behalf of Livable Flathead &
Shelter WF, Embold Research
surveyed voters in Flathead
County, MT on their perceptions of
housing affordability and support
for certain changes to local zoning
codes.
Survey n=615 registered voters in
Flathead County, surveyed February
20-25, 2026
Respondents were recruited via
dynamic online sampling and
texting to obtain a sample reflective
of the population.
Post-stratification performed on
age, gender, race/ethnicity,
education, and 2024 presidential
vote.
The modeled margin of error is 4.0%
SAMPLE OVERVIEW–FLATHEAD COUNTY
51% Women
49% Men
<1% Another identity
20% 18-34
24% 35-49
23% 50-64
33% 65+
24% <$50k
19% $50-75k
13% $75-95k
12% $95-115k
21% >$115k
28% Democrat
60% Republican
13% Independent
90% White
3%Hispanic
6% Other race
16% Columbia Falls
53% Kalispell
11% Whitefish
20% Rest of County
SAMPLE OVERVIEW–KALISPELL
48% Women
52% Men
21% 18-34
24% 35-49
23% 50-64
32% 65+
25% <$50k
19% $50-75k
13% $75-95k
12% $95-115k
20% >$115k
24% Democrat
63% Republican
13% Independent
88% White
4%Hispanic
8% Other race
71% Homeowners
24% Renters
5% Other
Arrangement
KEY FINDINGS 01
03 04
02Seven in ten voters say the
county does not have
enough housing options to
meet needs of all residents.
Because of this, 45% do not
see a long-term future in
Flathead County.
Voters overwhelmingly
prioritize building more
homes to reduce costs —
64% choose this approach
over protecting
neighborhood character
(28%).
Seven in ten voters say that
cities should prioritize
redeveloping existing land
within cities rather than
developing open space
outside of existing city
limits..
A majority of voters
(54%) think cities should
allow up to four small
homes per lot in all
residential
neighborhoods, except
for the most rural areas
on the edge of town.
Flathead County voters are deeply
concerned about housing
affordability and broadly support
moving forward with solutions
that expand housing options.
Most voters believe the Flathead Valley lacks sufficient
housing options to meet the needs of residents.
This perception a housing shortage is held by voters across all income levels, genders, ages, education
levels, and political party identification.
A shortage of affordable housing is touching most
households, with one third of voters personally impacted
As a single parent it would have been impossible for me to move out of my previous home and leave the
relationship if I did not have a family home due to the pricing of rentals in the Valley.
Please tell us about a time when a shortage of affordable housing
in the Flathead Valley has significantly impacted you or someone
you know.
Cost of housing in the Flathead Valley especially in comparison to wages is unreal. I have a decent annual
salary and am unable to afford housing without a roommate. I grew up in the Flathead Valley and there isn't
a week that goes by that I don't hear about people struggling to cover rent/mortgage and still be able to afford
other basic necessities.
I live in my trailer for half the year because housing is too expensive to build savings while renting.
My adult friends in service industry jobs (restaurants, etc.) rent out rooms in their own house or rent rooms
from others if they don't already own into their 40s & 50s at this point. All my friends and coworkers with
adult children have their kids moving back in with them- sometimes with their spouses &/or their own kids
also. Or if they have property have built tiny homes for their adult children on their land as they can't get into
the homebuyer's market. Most businesses here have/are struggling with retaining staff who can't afford to
live here... & so on...
Son and daughter in law had to couch surf for 8 months before finding a place to rent that was affordable.
About half of voters have difficulty imagining a future in the Flathead Valley due to housing
affordability, with young residents, non-owners, and lower-income households feeling it most
In light of these
challenges, voters express
a clear preference for
prioritizing the creation of
more homes to help bring
down housing costs
THANK YOU
https://shorturl.at/3yJFU
GET IN TOUCH
Keegan Siebenaler
policy@shelterWF.org
Nathan Dugan
nathan@livableflathead.org
Trenton Marlar
Trenton@emboldresearch.com
www.emboldresearch.com