Bigfork (2008 pop. est. 443) is located along the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, Highway 38. It is one of five neighboring communities that have banded together to form the "Edge of the Wilderness," a unified effort to sustain economic growth. While tourism and logging are the major industries, manufacturing and service businesses are discovering the potential for success in this rural region, spurred by incentives such as tax-free JOBZ sites.

Bigfork is a center for rural health care, with a combined hospital, medical and dental clinic, nursing home and senior apartments.