Stevensville, MT is a rural community of 12,500 people in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, and the oldest town in Montana.
Known for its scenic views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, Stevensville offers a glimpse into the past as well as some of the best outdoor recreation in Montana.
This article explores Stevensville’s history, population, location, weather, real estate, lodging, and local services.
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Stevensville, MT is the Oldest Town in Montana
Just imagine what it must have been like more than 180 years ago when the community of Stevensville sprouted from a small church built by Jesuit missionaries working with the Bitterroot Salish Tribe.
Everything that happened at that time was a first in the area, and those who settled around what’s now Stevensville, MT became part of the original history of the state.
Northern Pacific Depot in Stevensville / Montana History Portal
It would take almost 40 years for the town of Stevensville to become platted, and another 20 years for Marcus Daly to arrive in the Bitterroot Valley.
And all that was by the year 1887.
Stevensville continues to grow after all these years, but has managed to hold onto its historical small town charm.
People are friendly, the views are exceptional, and there’s history everywhere you look.
Stevensville, MT Map & Location
The town of Stevensville is located in Ravalli County, Montana.
The community is located in the northern half of the Bitterroot Valley, midway between Hamilton and Missoula.
Stevensville is 20 miles north of Hamilton, MT, the largest nearby town.
Stevensville is 25 miles south of Missoula, MT, the largest nearby city.
US 93 connects Stevensville to Hamilton, and Stevensville to Missoula.
The Eastside Highway connects Stevensville to Florence, and Stevensville to Corvallis.
Stevensville, MT Lodging
Stevensville has many lodging options in the area to choose from.
You’ll find several diverse options in town, or within a short drive, including waterfront options along the Bitterroot River.
Visit our Bitterroot Valley Lodging pages to see all the unique lodging options in the Bitterroot Valley.
Stevensville, MT / Bitterroot Info
Stevensville, MT Population
Stevensville is an incorporated town.
The population estimate of Stevensville town was 2,130 in the 2024 US Census ACS survey.
This total includes residents living within a 1.31 square mile area surrounding Stevensville town.
STEVENSVILLE POPULATION — ZIP CODE VS TOWN
For a more realistic population of the Stevensville area, we cite the population of the 59870 zip code that serves Stevensville residents.
Our Bitterroot Valley population article reports the population of the Stevensville zip code at 12,506 residents according to the US Census 2024 ACS estimate.
Stevensville, MT Weather
Stevensville, MT shares the same pleasant weather found throughout the entire Bitterroot Valley.
There are 4 distinct seasons each year, and the weather always seems to be changing.
Here’s the current weather and 5 day forecast for Stevensville, MT.
Summers in Stevensville are normally warm and comfortable with average daily highs in the 80’s.
Winters are normally cold and snowy with average daily highs only reaching into the low 30’s.
Occasionally, Stevensville, MT weather can be extreme, with 20 below zero and 100 degree temperatures possible.
Check out our Bitterroot Valley weather page for additional information.
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Stevensville, MT Real Estate
The real estate market in Stevensville is typical of the entire Bitterroot Valley real estate market.
There’s a wide range of properties in the market, from historic town homes to expansive ranches.
The market covers a large geographic area with diverse settings along the Bitterroot River, in and around town, and in the foothills that surround the valley.
Stevensville Market Report
Our Stevensville, MT real estate market report covers the 59870 zip code.
Home prices have been rising over recent years, with most homes ranging from $500K to well over a million dollars.
If charts and graphs are your thing, then head over to our Stevensville Real Estate Market Report article.
We provide 19 charts, graphs and indicators for the real estate market in Stevensville that are all updated weekly.
For additional information and resources, check out our Real Estate in the Bitterroot Valley article.
Local Services in Stevensville
The Town of Stevensville provides a wide variety of municipal services and public works.
Lone Rock School District enrolls around 175 students per year in grades K-8. Their team name is the “Rockets”.
Stevensville Rural Fire District and the Town of Stevensville provides fire and EMS services.
Law enforcement is provided by the Town of Stevensville Police Department and the Ravalli County Sheriff’s office.
View to the west of Stevensville, MT / Bitterroot Info
The Stevensville Municipal Airport is a fast growing general aviation airport just outside of town.
Stevensville Public Schools enrolls just over 1,000 students per year in grades K-12. Their team name is the “Yellowjackets”.
The North Valley Public Library has been open to the public since 1904.
Several businesses, including retail, banking, health care, restaurants, gas and groceries are located in the Stevensville community.
Stevensville, MT Historical Timeline
Lewis and Clark traveled through the area on their epic journey in 1805 and 1806.
The Bitterroot Salish sent representatives to St. Louis requesting ‘Black Robes’ in 1831, 1835 and 1837, but no missionaries were sent.
Bitterroot Salish representatives met Friar DeSmet in 1839 and were promised missionaries would be sent.
Fr DeSmet arrived with a group of Jesuit missionaries in 1841 and established the St. Mary’s Mission, the first permanent white settlement in what’s now Montana.
Historical drawing of Fort Owen / Tom Stout
The multi-talented Father Anthony Ravalli arrived at the St. Mary’s Mission in 1845. He was Montana’s first physician, surgeon and pharmacist, and was a skilled architect, artist and engineer.
Raids by Blackfeet Indians forced St. Mary’s Mission to close in 1850.
Major John Owens arrived in 1850 and established Fort Owen on the grounds of the St Mary’s Mission he purchased from the Jesuits. Fort Owen operated as a trading post for more than 20 years.
John Winslett and J.K. Houk constructed a store south of Fort Owen in 1863, which grew into a small community called St. Mary’s Village.
The community name was changed from St. Mary’s to Stevensville in 1864, in honor of territorial Governor of Washington, Isaac Stevens.
St. Mary’s Mission / Bitterroot Info
The St. Mary’s Mission was rebuilt in 1866 a mile south of its original location.
The town of Stevensville was platted in 1879.
Ravalli County was established in 1893 and Stevensville became the County Seat.
Stevensville lost the Ravalli County seat to Hamilton in an 1898 election.
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Points of Interest in Stevensville
Fort Owen State Park marks the first permanent white settlement in what became the state of Montana.
Over 100 species of birds nest annually at the 2,800 acre Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge / Bitterroot Info
St. Mary’s Mission & Museum lets visitors look back to the earliest days of settlers in the Bitterroot Valley.
The Stevensville Historical Museum houses exhibits of the history of Stevensville, MT.
That’s a Good Question
2,130 residents live in the town of Stevensville. An estimated 12,506 residents live in the 59870 zip code.
406
59870
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