The town of Missoula was established in 1883 with Judge Frank Woody as mayor. It was incorporated as the city of Missoula two years later.
| Name | Took Office | Length of Term[1] |
|---|---|---|
| John Engen | Appointed January 2, 2006 | - |
| Mike Kadas | Appointed September 3, 1996 | 112 months |
| Elected January 1, 1998 | ||
| Daniel Kemmis | Elected January 1, 1990 | 80 months |
| Resigned September 3, 1996 | ||
| Robert E. Lovegrove | Elected January 1, 1986 | 48 months |
| John H. Toole | Appointed December 12, 1983– | 25 months |
| William E. Cregg | Elected May 1977 | 78 months |
| Re-elected May 1981 | ||
| Robert E. Brown | Appointed January 1, 1973 | 52 months |
| Elected May 1, 1973 | ||
| George Turman | Appointed July 7, 1970 | 30 months |
| Resigned December 31, 1972– | ||
| John F. Patterson, Jr. | Acting Mayor July 1, 1970 | 1 week |
| Richard G. Shoup | Elected May 1, 1967 | 38 months |
| Resigned July 1, 1970 | ||
| H.R. Dix | Elected November 1, 1963 | 42 months |
| Edward L. Shults | Acting August 26, 1963 | 2 months |
| Leonard M. Roche | Elected May 6, 1963 | 3 months |
| Wes Waldbillig | Elected May 4, 1961 | 24 months |
| Walter A. Cash | Elected May 11, 1959 | 24 months |
| Alan Bradley | Elected January 6, 1958 | 16 months |
| James A. Hart | Elected June 28, 1954 | 42 months |
| Ralph L. Starr | Elected April 29, 1949 | 62 months |
| Juliet Gregory | Elected May 5, 1947 | 24 months |
| Dwight M. Mason | Elected April 13, 1937 | 121 months |
| Roy F. Hamilton | Acting January 4, 1937 | 3 months |
| Ralph L. Arnold | Elected May 10, 1934 | 32 months |
| Resigned January 4, 1937 | ||
| W. H. Beacom | Elected May 7, 1928 | 72 months |
| R.W. Kemp | Elected May 3, 1926 | 24 months |
| William H. Beacom | Elected May 1, 1922 | 48 months |
| H.T. Wilkinson | Elected May 1, 1916 | 72 months |
| A.M. Getchel | Elected May 4, 1914 | 24 months |
| James Rhodes | Elected May 6, 1912 | 24 months |
| John M. Evans | Appointed July 16, 1911 | 10 months |
| W.H. Reid | Elected May 1, 1911 | 2 months |
| Resigned July 7, 1911 | ||
| Andrew Logan | Elected May 3, 1909 | 24 months |
| J.M. Keith | Elected May 6, 1907 | 24 months |
| Fred C. Morgan | Appointed March 11, 1907 | 2 months |
| M.R.C. Smith | Elected May 4, 1903 | 2 months |
| Resigned March 11, 1907 | ||
| A.M. Stevens | Elected May 6, 1901 | 24 months |
| F.C. Webster | Elected May 3, 1897 | 48 months |
| J.M. Keith | Elected May 6, 1895 | 24 months |
| H.W. McLaughlin | Elected May 1, 1893 | 24 months |
| Frank G. Higgins | Elected May 27, 1892 | 12 months |
| J.M. Keith | Elected May 4, 1891 | 12 months |
| William Kennedy | Elected May 5, 1890 | 12 months |
| J.L. Sloane | Elected May 16, 1889 | 12 months |
| D.D. Bogart | Elected May 7, 1988 | 12 months |
| Dwight Harding | Elected May 3, 1887 | 12 months |
| J.P. Smith | Appointed August 6, 1885 | 21 months |
| Thomas C. Marshall | Elected April 13, 1885 | 4 months |
| Resigned August 6, 1885 | ||
| H.C. Meyers | Elected May 23, 1884 | 11 months |
| Frank H. Woody | Elected April 19, 1883 | 13 months |