As of the census of 2010, there were 2,628 people, 1,252 households, and 647 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 1,416 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population. There were 1,252 households of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.3% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.71. The median age in the city was 45.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
Economy
Libby's economy had been largely supported in the past by the use of natural resources such as logging and mining. Mining and timber mills have since closed down. Tourism is playing an increasing role in the local economy. upstream from Libby is the site of the Libby Dam, one of the Columbia River Treaty Dams, finished in 1975. Libby is also known as the "City of Eagles". Several eagle sculptures can be found all around town, including a eagle at both ends of town. In the mid 1980s, a major ski resort was proposed for Great Northern Mountain, south of Libby.
In 1919, Vermiculite was discovered in the mountains near town. In 1963 W. R. Grace and Company bought the local mine, by which time it was producing 80% of the vermiculite in the world. Because the local vermiculite contains asbestos, and the mine's byproducts were used in local buildings and landscaping, the town suffered from an extremely high rate of asbestosis. Nearly 10% of the population died from asbestos contamination, and the federal government later charged company officials for complicity. On Friday, May 8, 2009, W.R. Grace & Co. was acquitted of charges that it knowingly harmed the people of Libby. It was also acquitted of subsequently participating in any cover-up. Fred Festa, chairman, president and CEO said in a statement, "the company worked hard to keep the operations in compliance with the laws and standards of the day." On June 17, 2009, the EPA declared its first public health emergency, which covered Libby and nearby Troy. It had provided an additional $130 million in cleanup and medical assistance. The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a provision which provided Medicare coverage to individuals of such public health emergencies. As of 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was concluding the removal of asbestos-contaminated soils and other suspect materials in and near Libby, and has spent $425 million in Superfund money on cleanup. Libby, Montana is a documentary film about this matter, released in 2004.
Public education in Libby is administered by the Libby School District. The district operates Libby Elementary School and Libby Middle-High School. Libby Adventist Christian School and Kootenai Valley Christian School are private institutions. Libby has a public library, a branch of the Lincoln County Public Libraries. Flathead Valley Community College offers courses through its Lincoln County Campus located in Libby.
Transportation
serves Libby through a local station. U.S. Route 2 and Highway 37 meet at a traffic light in the center of town.
