Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put Missoula's population at 66,788 making it the second largest city in Montana. The 2010 census put the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is rapidly growing; it had the third largest actual growth of any city in Montana with an increase in population of 9735 since 2000. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area. Downtown Missoula is considered the center of the city. Missoula was founded in 1860 as Hellgate Trading Post before being renamed Missoula Mills ("Missoula" from the Salish name for the area, "Nemissoolatakoo", and "Mills" after the prosperous flour mill and sawmill that served as Missoula's first industry). "Mills" was dropped from the name and in 1877, the establishment of Fort Missoula ensured the survival of the city.

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