Lakeside, Montana

Lakeside is a linear village along US-93 hugging the west shore of Flathead Lake, about 14 miles south of Kalispell. The 2020 census recorded 2,705 residents; 2025 estimates put the population around 2,800–3,000. Lakeside has the oldest median age of the surrounding lake towns (~47–55, depending on the dataset) and the highest median household income (~$79,000–$84,000), reflecting its retiree-and-second-home composition. About a third of housing units are seasonally vacant.

The lifestyle is built around the lake itself: boating, sailing, paddleboarding, swimming. West Shore State Park is six miles south, Volunteer Park sits in town, and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is 14 miles up the road for a small, family-friendly ski day with sweeping lake views. Logan Health runs a clinic in Lakeside; Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell is 20 minutes away for serious medical needs.

Lakeside has the highest median home price after Whitefish in the surrounding-towns set, driven by waterfront and lake-view inventory. Late-2025 readings: Redfin $749K, Zillow $830K, Movoto $1.2M. Entry-level non-water single-family runs $450K–$700K; view homes (no waterfront) $700K–$1.5M; lakefront estates $1.5M–$8M+. Somers Lakeside School District 29 (PK–8) is well-regarded — Lakeside Elementary ranks in the top 10% of Montana elementary schools — but high schoolers commute to Bigfork or Kalispell.