text:
Glacier County, Montana

Glacier County is located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,778. The county is located in northwestern Montana between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, known to the Blackfeet as the "Backbone of the World". The county is geographically and culturally diverse and includes the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park, and Lewis and Clark National Forest. The county is bordered by 75 miles of international boundary with two ports of entry (Piegan and Del Bonita) open year-round and one seasonal (Chief Mountain) international border crossing into Alberta, Canada.

Settlements
Several small unincorporated communities, one incorporated town, and one incorporated city are located within the county.

Cut Bank, the county seat with a population of around 3,000, is located in eastern Glacier County, on the edge of the Great Plains. Cut Bank arose from the railway and agricultural needs of the surrounding area, and was fostered by an oil boom in the 1920s. The town's diverse population is a result of this settlement. Town resources and services include a hospital and clinic, an historic airport (with regional and international connections), a nine-hole golf course, and a municipal swimming pool. Nearby historical sites from the Lewis and Clark expedition, among other historic and prehistoric locations, can be visited. The Glacier County Museum has a collection of archaeological artifacts, historic buildings, community memorabilia, and a comprehensive archive of early area history and individuals, including a large collection of data on Blackfeet history.

Browning is the home and government seat of the Blackfeet Tribe. The incorporated portion of Browning, at 1,400 residents, does not reflect the total population of around 7,000 in the wider community, largely representative of the Blackfeet Tribe on a part of their ancestral homeland, which dates back over 400 years. Town businesses and resources include a federal building, community college, Native American Museum and Heritage Center, casino, fairgrounds, racetrack, and Native American camp area that hosts an annual Native American celebration and powwow. Many events are held in this area during the summer months. Blackfeet tribal fishing, hunting and recreational permits, along with guide and tour services to blue-ribbon trout fishing (and other recreational opportunities), can be found there.

Babb is a small, unincorporated farming and ranching community on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The community experiences a large influx of tourists in the summer months, as it is the gateway to the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. Community infrastructure includes one school, a US post office, a fire station, and a general store as well as a motel, gas station, several restaurants, and two churches. Nearby attractions include the aforementioned Glacier National Park, the historic Many Glacier Hotel, the St. Mary River and Irrigation Canal, and Chief Mountain, as well as the Piegan and Chief Mountain border crossings with Alberta, Canada.

East Glacier Park Village, a small winter community, grows in the summertime with many visitors and the summer workforce, hailing from all parts of the globe to meet the needs of the larger population. It is the site of the largest of Glacier Park's historic hotels and its fleet of "red buses". It has a nine-hole golf course, campgrounds, trail rides, boat rides, and native interpretive tours.

St. Mary is an unincorporated community on the western border of the Blackfeet Native American Reservation, located adjacent to Glacier National Park. The village is the eastern terminus of the Going-to-the-Sun Road which bisects the park east-to-west at a length of 53 mi. Fewer than 50 people reside in the village year-round; however, the population increases tenfold on a busy summer evening. It has several lodges, restaurants and cafés, a small grocery store, two gas stations and campgrounds. A large housing area for National Park Service personnel is located adjacent to the village, within the park. U.S. Route 89 passes through the village, which lies between Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park and Lower St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Native American Reservation.

Starr School is a census-designated place (CDP) in Glacier County. The population was 252 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3037 sqmi, of which 2996 sqmi is land and 41 sqmi (1.3%) is water. About 71% of the county's land area lies within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Another 21% lies within Glacier National Park in western Glacier County.

Adjacent counties

 * Flathead County - west
 * Pondera County - south
 * Toole County - east
 * Cardston County, Alberta - north
 * Improvement District No. 4, Alberta (Waterton Lakes National Park) - northwest
 * County of Warner No. 5, Alberta - northeast

National protected areas

 * Glacier National Park (part)
 * Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)

Politics
Owing largely to its majority Native American population, Glacier County generally votes Democratic, in contrast with most other rural Montana counties, which trend Republican.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 13,778 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 13,399 people, 4,361 households, and 3,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,348 housing units at an average density of 1.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 65.6% Native American, 31.1% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 13.6% were German, 7.2% were Irish, 5.6% were Norwegian, and 1.4% were American.

Of the 4,361 households, 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.2% were non-families, and 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.49. The median age was 31.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,075 and the median income for a family was $44,397. Males had a median income of $31,700 versus $30,594 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,053. About 21.4% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.

City

 * Cut Bank (county seat)

Census-designated places

 * Babb
 * Big Sky Colony
 * Blackfoot
 * East Glacier Park Village
 * Glacier Colony
 * Glendale Colony
 * Hidden Lake Colony
 * Horizon Colony
 * Little Browning
 * North Browning
 * Santa Rita
 * Seville Colony
 * South Browning
 * St. Mary
 * Starr School
 * Zenith Colony

Unincorporated communities

 * Bison
 * False Summit
 * Fort Piegan
 * Gunsight
 * Kiowa
 * Meriwether
 * Piegan
 * Rising Sun
 * Star
 * Summit
 * Sundance
 * Swift Current
 * Browning

Education
High school districts include:
 * Browning High School District
 * Cut Bank High School District

Elementary school districts include:
 * Browning Elementary School District
 * Cut Bank Elementary School District
 * East Glacier Park Elementary School District
 * Mountain View Elementary School District

title: Glacier County, Montana


text:
Garfield County, Montana

Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,173. Its county seat is Jordan.

Garfield County is noteworthy as the site of the discovery and excavation of four of the world's dozen or so major specimens (as of 1994) of Tyrannosaurus rex. A cast of the skull of one of these dinosaurs is on display at the Garfield County Museum.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4847 sqmi, of which 4675 sqmi is land and 172 sqmi (3.6%) is water. Its average population density of 0.1058 /km2 is the third-lowest of any county outside of Alaska (behind Loving County, Texas and Esmeralda County, Nevada).

Major highways

 * Montana Highway 22
 * [[Image:MT-59.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 59
 * [[Image:MT-24.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 24
 * [[Image:MT-200.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 200

Adjacent counties

 * Phillips County – northwest
 * Valley County – north
 * McCone County – east
 * Prairie County – east
 * Custer County – southeast
 * Rosebud County – south
 * Petroleum County – west

National protected area

 * Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 1,173 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 1,206 people, 532 households, and 347 families living in the county. The population density was 0.3 PD/sqmi. There were 844 housing units at an average density of 0.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% white, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.3% were German, 16.9% were Irish, 15.0% were Norwegian, 13.3% were English, 10.5% were American, 8.1% were Swedish, and 7.4% were Scottish.

Of the 532 households, 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.8% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 46.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,955 and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $37,813 versus $19,286 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,424. About 8.1% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Like all of the High Plains outside of Native American counties, Garfield is an overwhelmingly Republican county. It has been the most Republican county in Montana since the 2004 United States presidential election.

The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, and in the last seven Presidential elections no Democratic candidate has managed to receive more than 15.1 percent.

Garfield County is also Republican at the local level. Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer never received more than 28 percent of the county's vote and no Democratic gubernatorial candidate has carried the county since Ted Schwinden in 1984. As part of the 15th district of the Montana Senate, the county is represented by Republican Jim Peterson and as part of the 30th district of the Montana House of Representatives it is represented by Republican Dave Kasten.

Town

 * Jordan (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

 * Benzien
 * Big Dry
 * Brusett
 * Cohagen
 * Haxby
 * Hillside
 * Mosby
 * Sand Springs
 * Tindall

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Garfield County, Montana


text:
Gallatin County, Montana

Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. With its county seat in Bozeman, it is the second-most populous county in Montana, with a population of 118,960 in the 2020 Census.

The county's prominent geographical features are the Bridger mountains in the north, and the Gallatin mountains and Gallatin River in the south, named by Meriwether Lewis in 1805 for Albert Gallatin, the United States Treasury Secretary who formulated the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

At the southern end of the county, West Yellowstone's entrance into Yellowstone National Park accounts for around half of all park visitors. Big Sky Resort, one of the largest ski resorts in the United States, lies in Gallatin and neighboring Madison counties, midway between Bozeman and West Yellowstone.

History
During the territorial era, a small patch of land known as "Lost Dakota" existed as a remote exclave of Dakota Territory until it was transferred to Gallatin County, Montana Territory, in 1873.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2632 sqmi, of which 2603 sqmi is land and 29 sqmi (1.1%) is water. The county attained its present boundaries in 1978, when the former Yellowstone National Park (part) county-equivalent was dissolved and apportioned between Gallatin County and Park County. Gallatin County received 99.155 sqmi of land area and 0.119 sqmi of water area, whereas Park County received 146.229 sqmi of land area and 0.608 sqmi of water area. The geographies transferred are known now as Census Tract 14 in Gallatin County, and as Census Tract 6 in Park County.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] Interstate 90
 * [[Image:US 20.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 20
 * [[Image:US 191.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 191
 * [[Image:US 287.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 287
 * [[Image:MT-2.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 2
 * [[Image:MT-64.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 64
 * [[Image:MT-84.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 84
 * [[Image:MT-85.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 85
 * [[Image:MT-86.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 86
 * [[Image:MT-sec-205.svg|20px]] Montana Secondary Highway 205

Transit

 * Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

 * Madison County - west
 * Jefferson County - northwest
 * Broadwater County - north
 * Meagher County - northeast
 * Park County - east
 * Park County, Wyoming - southeast
 * Teton County, Wyoming - southeast
 * Fremont County, Idaho - southwest

National protected areas

 * Gallatin National Forest (part)
 * Yellowstone National Park (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 118,960 people and 46,990 households living in the county. The population density was 45.2 PD/sqmi. There were 52,835 housing units in the county at an average density of 20.1 /sqmi. The racial make of the county was 89.0% White, 1.2% Asian, 0.9% American Indian, 0.4% Black of African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic of Latino origin made up 5.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.4% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 12.4% were English, 8.8% were Norwegian, 4.6% were Italian, 4.0% were French, 3.5% were Scottish, 2.2% were Polish and 0.3% were Subsaharan African.

Of the 46,990 households, 48.2% were a Married-couple family household, 23.9% were a "Male householder, no spouse present, family household", and 20.4% were a "Female householder, no spouse present, family household". The averager family size was 2.96 in the county. The median age was 33.1 years old, compared with 40.1 in Montana.

The median income for a household in the county was $75,418 in the county, significantly higher than the $57,153 median household income in all of Montana. 11.9% of the population was below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under 18 and 6.5% of those over 65.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 89,513 people, 36,550 households, and 21,263 families living in the county. The population density was 34.4 PD/sqmi. There were 42,289 housing units at an average density of 16.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% White, 1.1% Asian, 0.9% American Indian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.2% were German, 18.1% were Irish, 14.7% were English, 9.4% were Norwegian, and 3.5% were American.

Of the 36,550 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.8% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 32.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,136 and the median income for a family was $65,029. Males had a median income of $42,245 versus $31,349 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,423. About 7.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Gallatin County has traditionally favored Republican presidential candidates, often by large margins. Recent changes to Gallatin County's demographics (including migration from Democratic-leaning areas, and younger voters adopting more liberal political positions) have made the county more competitive.

Gallatin County is home to the flagship campus of Montana State University, which contributes to its Democratic lean.

Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton narrowly won Gallatin County in 2008 and 2016 respectively, with Republican Mitt Romney winning in 2012. 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden won Gallatin County by the largest margin for a Democrat since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's victory in 1940.

Cities

 * Belgrade
 * Bozeman (county seat)
 * Three Forks

Towns

 * Manhattan
 * West Yellowstone

Census-designated places

 * Amsterdam (formerly Amsterdam-Churchill)
 * Big Sky
 * Bridger
 * Churchill (formerly Amsterdam-Churchill)
 * Four Corners
 * Gallatin Gateway
 * Gallatin River Ranch
 * Hebgen Lake Estates
 * King Arthur Park
 * Logan
 * Ponderosa Pines
 * Sedan
 * Springhill
 * Willow Creek

Unincorporated communities

 * Hillman
 * Maudlow

Education
Unified (K-12) districts include:
 * Big Sky School K-12
 * West Yellowstone K-12

High school districts include:
 * Belgrade High School District
 * Bozeman High School District
 * Manhattan High School District
 * Three Forks High School District
 * Willow Creek High School District

Elementary school districts include:
 * Amsterdam Elementary School District
 * Anderson Elementary School District
 * Belgrade Elementary School District
 * Bozeman Elementary School District
 * Cottonwood Elementary School District
 * Gallatin Gateway Elementary School District
 * LaMotte Elementary School District
 * Malmborg Elementary School District
 * Manhattan School
 * Monforton Elementary School District
 * Pass Creek Elementary School District
 * Shields Valley Elementary School District
 * Springhill Elementary School District
 * Three Forks Elementary School District
 * Willow Creek Elementary School District

Notable people

 * Zales Ecton, a U.S. Senator from Montana, lived in Gallatin County.
 * Stan Jones lives and works in Gallatin County.

title: Gallatin County, Montana


text:
Flathead County, Montana

Flathead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2020 census, its population was 104,357, making it the state's fourth most populous county. Its county seat is Kalispell. Its numerical designation (used in the issuance of license plates) is 7. Its northern border is on the state's north border, making it contiguous with the Canada–US border, facing British Columbia.

Flathead County comprises the Kalispell, Montana Micropolitan Statistical Area, with neighboring Lake County following soon after.

History
Flathead County was founded in 1893. Some sources cite the supposed practice of the Salish tribe flattening infants' heads as the origin of the name Flathead, but there is no record of Salish Indians ever having that appearance.

Geography
The county includes much of Flathead Lake, the Flathead Valley, and the Flathead River. These natural treasures were created by glacial activity which ended approximately 10,000 years ago. The Flathead Valley is the southern extension of a prominent valley called the Rockey Mountain Trench, which runs from the Yukon Territory in Canada as far south as Flathead Lake. The Trench in northwestern Montana was created by subsidence along a major extensional fault, which continues today. After the valley formed, glaciers flowing down the Trench from British Columbia, and into it from the surrounding mountain ranges left a flat valley floor and dammed the Flathead River drainage to create Flathead Lake. Several tribes have long used the Flathead Lake, and the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes are represented on the Flathead Reservation. The western part of Glacier National Park is located in the county.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5256 sqmi, of which 5088 sqmi is land and 169 sqmi (3.2%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Montana by land area and second-largest by total area.

Ecology
Wildlife includes bobcats, black bears, coyotes, deer, elk, grizzly bears, lynx, mountain lions, and wolves.

National protected areas

 * Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (part)
 * Flathead National Forest (part)
 * Glacier National Park (part)
 * Kootenai National Forest (part)
 * Lolo National Forest (part)
 * Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 104,357 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 90,928 people, 37,504 households, and 24,817 families living in the county. The population density was 17.9 PD/sqmi. There were 46,963 housing units at an average density of 9.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 28.1% were German, 15.0% were English, 14.8% were Irish, 9.3% were Norwegian, and 4.6% were American.

Of the 37,504 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40, and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 41.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,998, and the median income for a family was $53,940. Males had a median income of $39,767 versus $28,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,721. About 8.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Along with Yellowstone County (home to Billings), Flathead County is one of Montana's more populous counties that leans heavily Republican. It has last voted Democratic in 1964, and has voted over 60% Republican in every presidential election since 1996 save 2008.

Infrastructure

 * Kalispell Regional Medical Center is the county's largest hospital.
 * North Valley Hospital is located in Whitefish
 * Flathead County Library System has 4 locations:
 * Bigfork · Columbia Falls · Kalispell · Marion
 * Whitefish Library is separate
 * Flathead County Solid Waste (Landfill) is located between Kalispell and Whitefish
 * There are 16 Fire Districts and 3 Fire Service Areas
 * There are 6 High Schools including private
 * There are 21 Public School Districts
 * Legislature
 * 3 County Commissioner Districts
 * 11 House Districts
 * 7 Senate Districts

Cities

 * Columbia Falls
 * Kalispell (county seat)
 * Whitefish

Census-designated places

 * Batavia
 * Bigfork
 * Coram
 * Essex
 * Evergreen
 * Forest Hill Village
 * Helena Flats
 * Hungry Horse
 * Kila
 * Lakeside
 * Little Bitterroot Lake
 * Marion
 * Martin City
 * Niarada
 * Olney
 * Pinnacle
 * Polebridge
 * Rhodes
 * Snowslip
 * Somers
 * West Glacier

Other unincorporated communities

 * Apgar Village
 * Lake McDonald

Adjacent counties

 * Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia – north
 * Waterton Lakes National Park (Improvement District No. 4), Alberta – northeast
 * Glacier County – east
 * Pondera County – east
 * Teton County – east
 * Lewis and Clark County – southeast
 * Powell County – southeast
 * Missoula County – southeast
 * Lake County – south
 * Sanders County – southwest
 * Lincoln County – west

Education
High school districts include:
 * Bigfork High School District
 * Columbia Falls High School District
 * Flathead High School District
 * Whitefish High School District

Elementary school districts include:
 * Bigfork Elementary School District
 * Cayuse Prairie Elementary School District
 * Columbia Falls Elementary School District
 * Creston Elementary School District
 * Deer Park Elementary School District
 * Fair-Mont-Egan Elementary School District
 * Evergreen Elementary School District
 * Helena Flats Elementary School District
 * Kalispell Elementary School District
 * Kila Elementary School District
 * Marion Elementary School District
 * Olney-Bissell Elementary School District
 * Pleasant Valley Elementary School District
 * Smith Valley Elementary School District
 * Somers Elementary School District
 * Swan River Elementary School District
 * West Glacier Elementary School District
 * West Valley Elementary School District
 * Whitefish Elementary School District

Flathead Valley Community College is a tertiary institution.

Notable people

 * Joe Bereta, member of the sketch comedy duo Barats and Bereta based in Spokane, Washington. Currently co-hosts SourceFed on YouTube.
 * Phil Jackson, NBA coach and player
 * Dorothy M. Johnson, writer of Westerns
 * Maury Povich, talk show host known for his TV show Maury
 * Keith Regier, Montana state senator
 * Alice Ritzman, LPGA golf professional
 * Michelle Williams, actress
 * Derek Skees, Montana state representative

In popular culture
Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry frequently cites the police blotter of the Flathead Beacon in Flathead County as a source of humorous material. It is written in a spare, surrealist style by local man Micah Drew, following the pattern set by earlier writers Christie Burns and Justin Franz.

title: Flathead County, Montana


text:
Fergus County, Montana

Fergus County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,446. Its county seat is Lewistown. The county was founded in 1885 and named for James Fergus, a Montana politician who was instrumental in creating the county.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4350 sqmi, of which 4340 sqmi is land and 11 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Chouteau County – northwest
 * Blaine County – north
 * Phillips County – northeast
 * Petroleum County – east
 * Musselshell County – southeast
 * Golden Valley County – south
 * Wheatland County – southwest
 * Judith Basin County – west

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 87.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 87
 * [[Image:US 191.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 191
 * [[Image:MT-3.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 3
 * [[Image:MT-80.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 80
 * [[Image:MT-81.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 81
 * [[Image:MT-200.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 200

National protected areas

 * Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (part)
 * Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)
 * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)

Military Installations

 * LGM-30 Minuteman silos D-01 thru D-11 of the 10th Missile Squadron, 341st Missile Wing, 20th Air Force, assigned to Malmstrom AFB, Montana

2020 census
As of the census, of 2020, there were 11,446 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,586 people, 5,099 households, and 3,202 families living in the county. The population density was 2.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,836 housing units at an average density of 1.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 96.6% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 30.8% were German, 15.9% were English, 14.7% were Norwegian, 12.8% were Irish, and 4.2% were American.

Of the 5,099 households, 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.2% were non-families, and 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 47.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,607 and the median income for a family was $48,623. Males had a median income of $35,110 versus $21,225 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,295. About 12.5% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

City

 * Lewistown (county seat)

Towns

 * Denton
 * Grass Range
 * Moore
 * Winifred

Unincorporated communities

 * Amherst
 * Buffalo
 * Christina
 * Eddies Corner
 * Forest Grove
 * Garneill
 * Giltedge
 * Hanover
 * Heath
 * Hoosac
 * Maiden
 * Moore
 * Piper
 * Roy
 * Straw
 * Valentine
 * Ware

Former communities
Moulton

Census-designated places

 * Ayers Ranch Colony
 * Brooks
 * Coffee Creek
 * Danvers
 * Deerfield Colony
 * Fords Creek Colony
 * Hilger
 * King Ranch Colony
 * Lewistown Heights
 * Roy
 * Spring Creek Colony
 * Warm Spring Creek

Notable people

 * Roy E. Ayers, member of the United States House of Representatives and 11th Governor of Montana; served as the attorney of the county from 1905 to 1909.
 * Carl W. Riddick, House of Representatives from the Second District of Montana, served as County Assessor of Fergus County.

title: Fergus County, Montana


text:
Fallon County, Montana

Fallon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,049. Its county seat is Baker. The county was created in 1913 from a portion of Custer County. It is named for Benjamin O'Fallon, a nephew of Captain William Clark and an Indian agent for the upper Missouri region from 1823 to 1827.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1623 sqmi, of which 1621 sqmi is land and 2.3 sqmi (0.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Wibaux County - north
 * Prairie County - northwest
 * Custer County - west
 * Carter County - south
 * Harding County, South Dakota - southeast
 * Bowman County, North Dakota - east
 * Slope County, North Dakota - east
 * Golden Valley County, North Dakota - northeast

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 3,049 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 2,890 people, 1,233 households, and 810 families living in the county. The population density was 1.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,470 housing units at an average density of 0.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 53.0% were German, 24.8% were Irish, 12.1% were Norwegian, 10.6% were English, 5.3% were Scotch-Irish, and 0.4% were American.

Of the 1,233 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 42.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,529 and the median income for a family was $64,500. Males had a median income of $41,570 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,819. About 5.7% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 12
 * [[Image:MT-7.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 7

Airport
The Baker Municipal Airport is southeast of Baker.

Cities

 * Baker (county seat)

Towns

 * Plevna

Unincorporated communities

 * Cabin Creek
 * Ollie
 * Webster
 * Westmore
 * Willard

title: Fallon County, Montana


text:
Deer Lodge County, Montana

Deer Lodge County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,421. It forms a consolidated city-county government with its county seat of Anaconda. The county was established in 1865.

History
Deer Lodge was one of the original 9 Montana counties, as constituted with the establishment of the Montana Territory in 1864. The original county included what are now Silver Bow County (separated in 1881 ), Deer Lodge County, Granite County (separated in 1893) and Powell County (separated in 1901 ).

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 741 sqmi, of which 737 sqmi is land and 4.7 sqmi (0.6%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in Montana by area.

The county has a wealth of natural amenities, such as the Anaconda Mountain Range, Georgetown Lake, and the Mount Haggin wildlife management area (Montana's largest at 54,000 acres).

Major highways

 * I-90.svg Interstate 90
 * US 10.svg U.S. Highway 10 (Former)
 * MT-1.svg Montana Highway 1
 * MT-43.svg Montana Highway 43
 * MT-48.svg Montana Highway 48

Adjacent counties

 * Granite County - northwest
 * Powell County - north
 * Jefferson County - east
 * Silver Bow County - southeast
 * Beaverhead County - south
 * Ravalli County - west

National protected areas

 * Beaverhead National Forest (part)
 * Deerlodge National Forest (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 9,421 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 9,298 people, 4,018 households, and 2,350 families living in the county. The population density was 12.6 PD/sqmi. There were 5,122 housing units at an average density of 7.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% white, 3.1% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 30.2% were German, 26.2% were Irish, 9.2% were English, 8.5% were Norwegian, 5.9% were Italian, 5.2% were Swedish, and 2.6% were American.

Of the 4,018 households, 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.5% were non-families, and 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.73. The median age was 46.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,310 and the median income for a family was $51,076. Males had a median income of $32,477 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,921. About 9.6% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Deer Lodge County is the most consistently Democratic county in Montana when it comes to presidential elections. It has not supported a Republican candidate since Calvin Coolidge in 1924. In the last five elections the Democratic candidate has won by 21% to nearly 49% of Deer Lodge County's vote. However, in 2016, Hillary Clinton failed to garner a majority of the votes. This was the first time a Democrat had not obtained a majority since 1924. In gubernatorial elections the last most recent Republican to carry the county was Marc Racicot in the 1996 election. In that election the original Democratic nominee, Chet Blaylock, died and Marc Racicot carried every county.

Deer Lodge County is currently in the 39th district of the Montana Senate along with Granite County and portions of Powell and Silver Bow counties. It has been represented by Republican Terry Vermeire since 2023, having flipped the traditionally Democratic seat by a 752 vote margin. Vermeire defeated Democrat Jesse Mullen, executive of the Mullen Newspaper Company from Deer Lodge (city) in the 2022 special election. Jessica Wicks, Democratic incumbent appointed to fulfill Mark Sweeney's term following his May 2022 death, did not win appointment from the local Democratic Party to be their November nominee.

In the Montana House of Representatives, most of the county is in the 77th district and has been represented by Republican John Fitzpatrick since 2023, who won an upset against incumbent Democrat Sara Novak by a margin of 47. This marks the first time since 1945 that Anaconda has been represented by a Republican in the state House of Representatives. Part of the county is also in the 78th district, represented by Republican Gregory Frazer.

From 2025 to 2033, Deer Lodge County will be in House District 71 (along with Walkerville) and Senate District 36 (along with Walkerville and part of Butte). These districts are expected to be more Democratic than the current districts used since 2014.

City

 * Anaconda

Unincorporated communities
Note: the town of Deer Lodge is in neighboring Powell County.
 * Galen
 * Georgetown
 * Opportunity
 * Warm Springs

Notable people

 * Lucille Ball – actress and television star, most notably on I Love Lucy
 * John H. Collins – classical scholar.
 * Frank Cope – New York Giants offensive lineman
 * Marcus Daly – founder of Anaconda, and one of the "Copper Kings" of Butte.
 * Wayne Estes – college basketball star
 * Raymond Hunthausen – Archbishop of Seattle
 * Rob Johnson – San Diego Padres catcher
 * Nancy Keenan – politician, NARAL president
 * George A. Lingo – politician in the Alaska Territory
 * Roger Rouse – Professional Boxer
 * George Leo Thomas – Roman Catholic Bishop of Helena
 * Lester Thurow – economist
 * John H. Tolan – later a United States Congressman from California, was an attorney of the county from 1904 through 1906.

title: Deer Lodge County, Montana


text:
Dawson County, Montana

Dawson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,940. Its county seat is Glendive.

History
Dawson County was the tenth county organized in Montana Territory. It was created January 15, 1869, four and a half years after Montana Territory was organized. Before the formation of Dawson county, the area was the northern half of the original Big Horn County. Dawson takes its name from Major Andrew Dawson, manager of the Fort Benton Trading Post for the American Fur Company from 1856 to 1864.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2383 sqmi, of which 2372 sqmi is land and 11 sqmi (0.5%) is water.

Dawson County is located in the extreme eastern portion of Montana, about fifteen to twenty miles west of the Dakota line.

Dawson County contains part of Montana's badlands. Makoshika State Park is an example of that area's unusual rock formations. Dawson County's principal water sources are the Yellowstone River, which bisects its southeastern section, and the Redwater River in its northwest corner. Numerous creeks are tributary to these streams, furnishing abundant and accessible facilities watering livestock and for small irrigation enterprises and water conservation projects. In the upper bench lands, artesian well irrigation has received considerable attention.

The largest Triceratops skull ever found was discovered in 1992 and excavated in 2003 in Dawson County, Montana, in the famous Hell Creek Formation. It is a 65-million-year-old male Triceratops skull, 9.2 feet long, 5.2 feet high and 4.6 feet wide and weighing over 600 kg. It has been dubbed 'Dragon King' and is understood to be the most expensive skull to ever trade privately.

Parts of Dawson County were taken to form Valley County in 1893, Richland County and part of Wibaux County in 1914, part of Prairie County in 1915, and Garfield County and part of McCone County in 1919.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] Interstate 94
 * [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 10 (Former)
 * [[Image:MT-16.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 16
 * [[Image:MT-200.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 200
 * [[Image:MT-200.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 200 (Alternate)
 * Montana Highway 254

In 1920, Dawson County was traversed by the National Parks Highway or Red Trail, the Black Trail, the Green Trail and the Blue Trail, all of which passed through Glendive.

Transit

 * Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

 * Richland County - north
 * Wibaux County - east
 * Prairie County - south
 * McCone County - west

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 8,940 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 8,966 people, 3,749 households, and 2,429 families living in the county. The population density was 3.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,233 housing units at an average density of 1.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 16.3% were Norwegian, 15.5% were Irish, 8.2% were English, and 6.5% were American.

Of the 3,749 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 43.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,752 and the median income for a family was $63,982. Males had a median income of $45,222 versus $30,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,602. About 7.4% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Dawson County is known for its dryland grain, coal mines and gas and oil wells. There are 522 current farms and ranches, and 296 commercial businesses.

Lying in the heart of the western third of the Fort Union region, Dawson County is plentifully supplied with lignite coal. Local natural gas has supplied Glendive since at least 1920. Excellent clays for pottery and brick-making are also found in the county.

From early days, Dawson County was known as a splendid stock county, because of the native cover of a heavy and nutritious grass. Unlike some other parts of the state, the livestock industry did not die out. In the early 20th century, the county was known for pure-bred stock raising, dairying, and the production of hogs and poultry.

While there is some broken land around the Sheep Bluffs, in the northwestern part of the county, and east of the Yellowstone, smooth prairies and rolling land predominated in the county, making conditions excellent for farming purposes. The dark sandy loam soil, with a heavy clay subsoil, was a big producer.

The principal crops in the early years of the 20th century were barley, oats and wheat. Sixty per cent of the land was tillable, and the remainder afforded good grazing. As of 1920, the headgates of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, which irrigated approximately 90,000 acres, were located at Intake, in Dawson County, and further irrigation was planned. Unirrigated land was also producing excellent crops, with up to 400 bushels of potatoes in one acre of unirrigated land. In 1915, Dawson County won first and second prizes on Northwestern Dent corn at the St. Paul Corn Show, and in December of the following year, at the First National Corn Show, held at the same city, took first and second prizes and three third prizes. In 1920, it was estimated that the acreage planted in corn in Dawson County alone was as great as the corn acreage for the entire state in 1910.

Education
Dawson Community College is located in Glendive.

City

 * Glendive (county seat)

Town

 * Richey

Census-designated place

 * West Glendive

Unincorporated communities

 * Bloomfield
 * Lindsay

title: Dawson County, Montana


text:
Daniels County, Montana

Daniels County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,661. Its county seat is Scobey. It is on Montana's north border, and thus abuts the Canada–US border with Saskatchewan.

History
Daniels County was created in 1920 from portions of Sheridan and Valley Counties. The name comes from Mansfield Daniels, a local rancher.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1426 sqmi, of which 1426 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi (0.03%) is water.

Daniels County is predominantly rolling plains. The Poplar River flows through the county.

Major highways

 * [[Image:MT-5.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 5
 * [[Image:MT-13.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 13

Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

 * Rural Municipality (RM) of Old Post No. 43, Saskatchewan (SK) - northwest
 * RM of Poplar Valley No. 12, SK - north
 * RM of Hart Butte No. 11, SK - north
 * RM of Happy Valley No. 10, SK - northeast
 * Sheridan County - east
 * Roosevelt County - south
 * Valley County - west

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 1,661 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 1,751 people, 798 households, and 481 families living in the county. The population density was 1.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,111 housing units at an average density of 0.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 2.1% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 39.4% were Norwegian, 31.8% were German, 9.0% were English, 8.3% were Irish, and 1.2% were American.

Of the 798 households, 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.7% were non-families, and 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age was 50.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,125 and the median income for a family was $49,479. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $25,921 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,737. About 9.8% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The main source of income for Daniels County has been cattle and dryland wheat.

Education
There is one K-12 school serving all of Daniels County, Scobey High School.

City

 * Scobey (county seat)

Town

 * Flaxville

Census-designated places

 * Peerless
 * Whitetail

Unincorporated communities

 * Carbert
 * Four Buttes
 * Navajo
 * Pleasant Prairie
 * West Fork

title: Daniels County, Montana


text:
Custer County, Montana

Custer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,867. Its county seat is Miles City. The county was established on June 2, 1865, as one of the nine original counties of the Territory of Montana named Big Horn County, and was renamed on February 16, 1877, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3793 sqmi, of which 3783 sqmi is land and 9.9 sqmi (0.3%) is water.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Custer County has a mostly cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] Interstate 94
 * [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 12
 * [[Image:US 212.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 212
 * [[Image:MT-59.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 59

Transit

 * Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

 * Prairie County - north
 * Fallon County - east
 * Carter County - southeast
 * Powder River County - south
 * Rosebud County - west
 * Garfield County - northwest

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 11,867 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,699 people, 5,031 households, and 3,014 families living in the county. The population density was 3.1 PD/sqmi. There were 5,560 housing units at an average density of 1.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.7% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.6% were German, 18.3% were Irish, 14.3% were American, 14.1% were Norwegian, and 10.6% were English.

Of the 5,031 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.1% were non-families, and 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 42.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,913 and the median income for a family was $49,011. Males had a median income of $37,535 versus $26,576 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,676. About 12.4% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Agriculture (dryland farming) and cattle raising provide the bulk of Custer County economy. Miles City serves as the center of commerce in an area extending for 100 miles in every direction. As of 2009 the county's largest employers were Holy Rosary Healthcare, Sanjel USA, Stockman Bank, and Walmart.

City

 * Miles City (county seat)

Town

 * Ismay

Unincorporated communities

 * Bonfield, Montana
 * Kinsey
 * Knowlton, Montana
 * Mizpah, Montana
 * Tusler, Montana
 * Volborg

title: Custer County, Montana


text:
Chouteau County, Montana

Chouteau County is a county located in the North-Central region of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,895. Its county seat is Fort Benton. The county was established in 1865 as one of the original nine counties of Montana, and named in 1882 after Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader who established a trading post that became Fort Benton, which was once an important port on the Missouri River.

Chouteau County is home to the Chippewa-Cree tribe on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. It contains part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3997 sqmi, of which 3972 sqmi is land and 24 sqmi (0.6%) is water.

Chouteau County was once the largest county in the Montana Territory and the second largest in the United States, with an area of 15439 sqmi in the early 20th century. However, some parts of the county were over 250 mi from Fort Benton, and in 1893, the first of several divisions began with the creation of Teton County, the western portion of Chouteau County. Chouteau County lost half of its population from 1910 to 1930.

The land is mostly rolling prairie, hence the high density of wheat farming. However, there is notable topography, namely some of Montana's forested island ranges. The Bear Paw Mountains rise in the northeast and the Little Rockies and the Highwood Ranges are in the southeast. Major rivers include the Teton River, Marias River, Missouri River and Arrow Creek.

Adjacent counties

 * Liberty County – north
 * Hill County – north
 * Blaine County – east
 * Fergus County – southeast
 * Judith Basin County – south
 * Cascade County – south
 * Teton County – west
 * Pondera County – northwest

Major highway

 * US 87.svg U.S. Route 87

National protected areas

 * Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)
 * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)

Census-designated places
The United States Census Bureau, for population data analyses of unorganized rural areas, the following Census-designated places, or CDPs, in addition to the organized communities listed elsewhere in this article.

 * Boneau
 * Carter
 * Floweree
 * Highwood
 * Loma
 * Parker School
 * Rocky Boy West
 * Square Butte
 * Sunnybrook Colony
 * Twin Hills Colony

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 5,895 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 5,813 people, 2,294 households, and 1,560 families living in the county. The population density was 1.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,879 housing units at an average density of 0.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 75.8% white, 21.8% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.6% were German, 13.0% were Irish, 11.2% were English, 9.8% were Norwegian, and 2.0% were American.

Of the 2,294 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 41.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,064 and the median income for a family was $50,201. Males had a median income of $33,866 versus $25,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,202. About 14.8% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Chouteau County is the state's largest winter wheat producer. It is located in the heart of the "Golden Triangle", which produces about 45% of Montana's annual wheat crop.

City

 * Fort Benton (county seat)

Towns

 * Big Sandy
 * Geraldine

Unincorporated communities

 * Big Sag
 * Coal Banks Landing
 * Lippard
 * Montague
 * Shepherd Crossing
 * Shonkin
 * Stranahan
 * Virgelle
 * Warrick
 * Woods Crossing

title: Chouteau County, Montana


text:
Cascade County, Montana

Cascade County (cascade means waterfall in French) is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 84,414, making it the fifth-most populous county in Montana. Its county seat is Great Falls.

Cascade County comprises the Great Falls, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
At the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Cascade County was the territory of the Blackfeet. The county was named for the falls on the Missouri River.

The United States Army at one time had Fort Shaw as an outpost in the northwest part of the county. Only a small settlement is left by that name, a CDP.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2711 sqmi, of which 2698 sqmi is land and 13 sqmi (0.5%) is water. The Missouri River and the Sun River flow through the county, and meet at the city of Great Falls. A portion of the Adel Mountains Volcanic Field is in the southwest corner of the county. The Rocky Mountains are in the western part of the county with the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains in the southeast.

Adjacent counties

 * Teton County - northwest
 * Chouteau County - northeast
 * Judith Basin County - east
 * Meagher County - south
 * Lewis and Clark County - west

National protected areas

 * Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
 * Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 84,414 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 81,327 people, 33,809 households, and 21,403 families living in the county. The population density was 30.1 PD/sqmi. There were 37,276 housing units at an average density of 13.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% white, 4.3% American Indian, 1.2% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.6% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 28.5% were German, 17.1% were Irish, 12.3% were English, 10.3% were Norwegian, and 4.5% were American.

Of the 33,809 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.7% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 38.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,389 and the median income for a family was $53,540. Males had a median income of $37,904 versus $27,944 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,963. About 10.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Like Lewis & Clark County to the west, Cascade County leans Republican but has voted for Democrats four times since Lyndon Johnson's landslide in 1964. Hubert Humphrey easily won this county in 1968, one of nine counties that he was able to win. Barack Obama carried Cascade in 2008 but lost to Mitt Romney in 2012 by 9%. Since 2012, the county has voted Republican by comfortable margins. In 2020, Donald Trump won the county with over 58% of the vote, the best performance by a Republican since 1920.

In statewide races, Cascade County often acts as a bellwether county and has been friendlier to Democrats - Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester have carried the county in all of their elections and Governors Brian Schweitzer and Steve Bullock carried it in all four elections in 2004–2016. Since at least 1984, no Democrat has won in Montana without winning Cascade County, however, Republicans have occasionally won statewide without carrying the county, such as former Senator Conrad Burns in 1988 and 2000, Governors Marc Racicot in 1992 and Judy Martz in 2000,  Secretaries of State Bob Brown in 2000 and Brad Johnson in 2004,  and Attorney General Tim Fox in 2012.

Economy
Malmstrom Air Force Base is a driving force in the regional economy. In 2009, Benefis, Great Falls Clinic, National Electronics Warranty and Walmart were the largest private employers.

Education
Apollos University, The University of Great Falls, and the MSU College of Technology - Great Falls are both located in Great Falls.

K-12 education
Public school districts include:

Secondary:
 * Belt High School District
 * Cascade High School District
 * Great Falls High School District
 * Simms High School District
 * Centerville High School District

Elementary:
 * Belt Elementary School District
 * Centerville Elementary School District
 * Cascade Elementary School District
 * Great Falls Elementary School District
 * Sun River Valley Elementary School District
 * Ulm Elementary School District
 * Vaughn Elementary School District

There is also a state-operated school, Montana School for the Deaf & Blind.

City

 * Great Falls (county seat)

Towns

 * Belt
 * Cascade
 * Neihart

Census-designated places

 * Big Stone Colony
 * Black Eagle
 * Cascade Colony
 * Centerville
 * Fair Haven Colony
 * Fort Shaw
 * Gibson Flats
 * Hardy
 * Malmstrom AFB
 * Monarch
 * Pleasant Valley Colony
 * Riceville
 * Sand Coulee
 * Simms
 * Stockett
 * Sun Prairie
 * Sun River
 * Tracy
 * Ulm
 * Vaughn

Unincorporated communities

 * Adel
 * Armington
 * Armington Junction
 * Ashuelot
 * Dearborn (partially within Lewis & Clark County)
 * Eden
 * Emerson Junction
 * Gordon
 * Millegan
 * Number Seven
 * Salem
 * Sheffels
 * Portage

In popular culture
Several motion pictures have been filmed in Great Falls. Many have filmed in both Cascade County and Great Falls, and a few in just Cascade County (outside the Great Falls city limits). Those films shot in the county and outside Great Falls city limits include:

 * Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)
 * The Stone Boy (1984)
 * The Untouchables (1987)
 * Holy Matrimony (1994)
 * The Slaughter Rule (2002)
 * Northfork (2003)
 * Iron Ridge (2008)
 * Wildlife (2018)

title: Cascade County, Montana


text:
Carter County, Montana

Carter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,415, making it the seventh-least populous county in Montana. The county seat is Ekalaka.

History
Carter County was named for Thomas Henry Carter, the state's first congressman (representative in Congress from the Montana Territory, followed by first representative from the state of Montana to the US House of Representatives). Prior to settlement the land of Carter County was occupied by the Sioux tribe.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3348 sqmi, of which 3341 sqmi is land and 7.5 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Medicine Rocks State Park is located 14 miles north of Ekalaka. Weathering has given the rocks an unusual texture. The site was used by Indian hunting parties.

Adjacent counties

 * Powder River County - west
 * Custer County - northwest
 * Fallon County - north
 * Harding County, South Dakota - east
 * Butte County, South Dakota - southeast
 * Crook County, Wyoming - south

National protected area

 * Custer National Forest (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 1,415 people and 628 households in Carter County. Of the population, 96.7% were White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 1.9% two or more races. 1.1% were Hispanic. 1.0% had a different primary language to English. The county was 50.1% female, 49.9% male.

The median household income was $48,000, $6,970 below the median of Montana. 61.7% of the population aged over 16 were in the civilian labor force. 14.7% of the population were classed as living in poverty. 2.4% of the population had a disability. 92.5% of the population graduated high school, with 20.2% obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher. 86.5% of households had a computer, with 77.9% having broadband access.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 1,160 people, 532 households, and 354 families living in the county. The population density was 0.3 PD/sqmi. There were 810 housing units at an average density of 0.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.9% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 41.5% were German, 19.6% were English, 18.8% were Norwegian, 12.3% were Irish, and 4.3% were American.

Of the 532 households, 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age was 50.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,703 and the median income for a family was $47,955. Males had a median income of $26,736 versus $18,274 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,681. About 8.5% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Carter County has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1952, with Harry S. Truman being the last Democrat to carry the county.

Town

 * Ekalaka (county seat)

Census-designated place

 * Alzada

Unincorporated communities

 * Albion
 * Belltower
 * Boyes
 * Hammond
 * Mill Iron
 * Ridge

Former communities

 * Capitol

title: Carter County, Montana


text:
Carbon County, Montana

Carbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,473. Its county seat is Red Lodge.

Carbon County is part of the Billings, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Carbon County was named for the rich coal deposits found in the area. It was organized on March 4, 1895, from portions of Park and Yellowstone counties.

Land from Park and Yellowstone counties was used to form Carbon County on March 4, 1895. More than sixty federally designated historic sites are located in the county, including Petroglyph Canyon, one of the state's most important rock art sites.

The first commercial oil well in the state was established in Elk Basin fields in 1915.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2062 sqmi, of which 2049 sqmi is land and 13 sqmi (0.6%) is water.

Granite Peak, the state's highest mountain, is found in Carbon County's Beartooth Mountains. The Beartooth Highway, one of the "most spectacular alpine highways", links Red Lodge to Cooke City. The Pryor Mountains are in the east of the county, along with the Big Horn River.

Major highways

 * US 212.svg U.S. Highway 212
 * US 310.svg U.S. Highway 310
 * MT-72.svg Montana Highway 72
 * MT-78.svg Montana Highway 78

Adjacent counties

 * Park County - west
 * Stillwater County - north
 * Yellowstone County - northeast
 * Big Horn County - east
 * Big Horn County, Wyoming - southeast
 * Park County, Wyoming - south

National protected areas

 * Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
 * Custer National Forest (part)
 * Gallatin National Forest (part)

Politics
Carbon County has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 10,473 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 10,078 people, 4,571 households, and 2,884 families living in the county. The population density was 4.9 PD/sqmi. There were 6,441 housing units at an average density of 3.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.2% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.3% were German, 16.2% were Irish, 14.5% were English, 12.6% were American, and 6.6% were Norwegian.

Of the 4,571 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 48.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,010 and the median income for a family was $59,823. Males had a median income of $41,241 versus $26,150 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,983. About 8.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
During the early history of Carbon County, coal mining was the predominant industry. The current economy relies on agriculture, recreation, and tourism.

In 2009 the top employers were Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, Red Lodge Mountain, and the Red Lodge Pizza Company.

In December 2014, construction began on a large windfarm, Mud Springs Wind Ranch, with 120 wind turbines, 12 mi southeast of Bridger.

City

 * Red Lodge (county seat)

Towns

 * Bearcreek
 * Bridger
 * Fromberg
 * Joliet

Census-designated places

 * Belfry
 * Boyd
 * Edgar
 * Fox
 * Luther (originally Linley)
 * Montaqua
 * Roberts
 * Rockvale
 * Roscoe (originally Morris)
 * Silesia

Unincorporated communities

 * Alpine
 * Bowler
 * George Place
 * Peterson Place
 * Richel Lodge
 * Selmes
 * Warren
 * Washoe

Former communities

 * Carbonado
 * Chance
 * Chickentown
 * Fairbanks
 * Gebo (originally Coalville)
 * Golden
 * International
 * New Caledonia
 * Riverview
 * Scotch Coulee
 * Stringtown

title: Carbon County, Montana


text:
Broadwater County, Montana

Broadwater County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,774. Its county seat is Townsend. The county was named for Charles Arthur Broadwater, a noted Montana railroad, real estate, and banking magnate.

History
The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through what is now Broadwater County as they traced the Missouri River. Gold was discovered in the Big Belt Mountains in 1864 which brought several mining towns. In 1881 the Northern Pacific Railway included a stop in what is now Townsend.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1239 sqmi, of which 1193 sqmi is land and 46 sqmi (3.7%) is water.

The boundaries of the county are roughly formed by the Big Belt Mountains to the east and north, the Elkhorn Mountains to the west, and the Horseshoe Hills to the south.

Broadwater County is perhaps best known as the home of Canyon Ferry Lake, the third largest body of water in Montana. The lake provides essential irrigation to local farms, and serves as a recreation destination for the region, with fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] Interstate 90
 * [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 12
 * [[Image:US 287.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 287
 * [[Image:MT-2.svg|20px]] Montana Highway 2

Adjacent counties

 * Meagher County - east
 * Gallatin County - south
 * Jefferson County - west
 * Lewis and Clark County - northwest

National protected area

 * Helena National Forest (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 6,774 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 5,612 people, 2,347 households, and 1,614 families living in the county. The population density was 4.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,695 housing units at an average density of 2.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 38.7% were German, 16.2% were English, 15.5% were Irish, 7.9% were Norwegian, 6.4% were Scottish, and 2.3% were American.

Of the 2,347 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,667 and the median income for a family was $46,949. Males had a median income of $34,500 versus $32,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,606. About 5.8% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Broadwater County. RY Timber and Wheat Montana Bakery were the largest private employers according to the 2000 Census.

City

 * Townsend (county seat)

Census-designated places

 * Radersburg
 * Spokane Creek
 * The Silos
 * Toston
 * Wheatland
 * Winston

Unincorporated communities

 * Canton
 * Copper City
 * Diamond City
 * Eustis
 * Holker
 * Lombard

Former communities

 * Lombard

title: Broadwater County, Montana


text:
Blaine County, Montana

Blaine County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,044. Its county seat is Chinook. The county was named for James G. Blaine, former United States Secretary of State. It is on the north line of the state, and thus shares the southern border of Canada opposite Saskatchewan.

History
In 1912 Blaine, Phillips and Hill counties were formed from the area of Chouteau County. The original boundary of Blaine County included a portion of land in the west that is now included in Phillips County.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4239 sqmi, of which 4228 sqmi is land and 11 sqmi (0.3%) is water.

The majority of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located in the southeastern part of the county.

Features of the area include the Milk River, Bears Paw Mountains, and the Little Rocky Mountains.

Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

 * Hill County - west
 * Chouteau County - southwest
 * Fergus County - south
 * Phillips County - east
 * Rural Municipality (RM) of Reno No. 51, Saskatchewan (SK) - northwest
 * RM of Frontier No. 19, Saskatchewan, SK - north
 * RM of Lone Tree No. 18, Saskatchewan, SK - northeast

National protected areas

 * Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
 * Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
 * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 7,044 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 6,491 people, 2,357 households, and 1,604 families living in the county. The population density was 1.5 /mi2. There were 2,843 housing units at an average density of 0.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 49.4% American Indian, 48.2% white, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 9.2% were Norwegian, 6.6% were Irish, 5.7% were English, and 2.0% were American.

Of the 2,357 households, 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.28. The median age was 35.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,034 and the median income for a family was $40,890. Males had a median income of $32,320 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,813. About 23.6% of families and 29.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Blaine County is one of the nation's most consistent long-term bellwether counties. Since 1916, the county has been won by the winner of the presidential election in every election except that of 1988, held during the aftermath of a major drought and farm crisis, when Michael Dukakis won the county by fifty-eight votes. During two other drought years on the Great Plains, Adlai Stevenson II in 1956 and Gerald Ford in 1976 also came close to breaking the county's streak, losing by even smaller vote margins than George H. W. Bush.

Economy
The main industry in Blaine County is agriculture. The main employers on the Reservation are the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes.

Education
Fort Belknap College is located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Public high schools in the county include Harlem High School in Harlem, Chinook High School in Chinook, and Turner High School in Turner.

Cities

 * Chinook (county seat)
 * Harlem

Census-designated places

 * Fort Belknap Agency
 * Hartland Colony
 * Hays
 * Hogeland
 * Lodge Pole
 * North Harlem Colony
 * Turner
 * Turner Colony
 * Zurich

Unincorporated communities

 * Cleveland
 * Lloyd
 * Lohman
 * North Fork
 * Rattlesnake
 * Savoy

title: Blaine County, Montana


text:
Big Horn County, Montana

Big Horn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,124. The county seat is Hardin. The county, like the river and the mountain range, is named after the bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains. The county was founded in 1913. It is located on the south line of the state.

Most of the area is part of the Crow Indian Reservation. Reservation poverty affects the county, which is the second-poorest county in the state.

History
On June 25, 1876, the Battle of Little Bighorn began. The Battle is also known as the Battle of the Greasy Grass to the Lakota and other Plains Indians.

Law and government
The county has several jurisdictions, each with its own regulations and law enforcement agencies. The Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Nations are administered by the tribes. Little Bighorn Battlefield and the Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area are regulated by the National Park Service. The remainder of the county falls under the State of Montana.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5015 sqmi, of which 4995 sqmi is land and 19 sqmi (0.4%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Montana by land area. Most of the county's land area is Indian reservations: The Crow Indian Reservation covers 64.2 percent of its area, while the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation covers another 6.37 percent.

The county is home to the Big Horn, Pryor and Wolf mountain ranges.

Major highways

 * I-90.svg Interstate 90
 * US 87.svg U.S. Highway 87
 * US 212.svg U.S. Highway 212
 * MT-47.svg Montana Highway 47
 * Montana Highway 313
 * Montana Highway 314

Adjacent counties

 * Carbon - west
 * Yellowstone - northwest
 * Treasure - north
 * Rosebud - northeast
 * Powder River - east
 * Sheridan County, Wyoming - south
 * Big Horn County, Wyoming - southwest

National protected areas

 * Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
 * Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Big Horn County has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Politics
Big Horn County is generally Democratic, owing largely to its majority Native American population. It is distinguished from most other counties in rural Montana, which often lean heavily Republican.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 13,124 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 12,865 people, 4,004 households, and 2,970 families living in the county. The population density was 2.6 PD/sqmi. There were 4,695 housing units at an average density of 0.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 64.3% American Indian, 31.4% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 1.0% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.1% were American, and 10.3% were German.

Of the 4,004 households, 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.77. The median age was 30.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,550 and the median income for a family was $41,985. Males had a median income of $32,216 versus $27,917 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,066. About 20.7% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Coal mining and agriculture play major roles in Big Horn County's economy. Farms and ranches in the county produce mainly beef cattle, sugar beets, alfalfa, and small grains.

City

 * Hardin (county seat)

Town

 * Lodge Grass

Census-designated places

 * Busby
 * Crow Agency
 * Fort Smith
 * Forty Mile Colony
 * Muddy
 * Pryor
 * St. Xavier
 * Wyola

Unincorporated communities

 * Aberdeen
 * Benteen
 * Decker
 * Dunmore
 * Garryowen
 * Kingley
 * Toluca

Former communities

 * Corinth
 * Kirby
 * Quietus

title: Big Horn County, Montana


text:
Beaverhead County, Montana

Beaverhead County is the largest county by area in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,371. Its county seat is Dillon. The county was founded in 1865.

Much of the perimeter of the county is the Continental Divide, including its entire border with the state of Idaho. The divide heads east into Montana at the county border with Ravalli County, between Lost Trail Pass and Chief Joseph Pass.

History
The county name is derived from a rock formation, which the Shoshone described as being shaped like a beaver's head.

The original county seat was the gold-mining town of Bannack. In 1881 it was moved to Dillon.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5572 sqmi, of which 5542 sqmi is land and 30 sqmi (0.3%) is water. It is the largest county in Montana by area. Beaverhead impact structure is in the area. The Big Hole River (formerly called Wisdom River) runs through the county.

Adjacent counties

 * Ravalli County - northwest
 * Deer Lodge County - north
 * Silver Bow County - north
 * Madison County - east
 * Fremont County, Idaho - southeast
 * Clark County, Idaho - south
 * Lemhi County, Idaho - west

National protected areas

 * Beaverhead National Forest (part)
 * Big Hole National Battlefield
 * Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
 * Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Politics
Beaverhead is a heavily Republican county. It has not voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate since 1936.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 9,371 people living in the county.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 9,246 people, 4,014 households, and 2,383 families living in the county. The population density was 1.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,273 housing units at an average density of 1.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 1.4% American Indian, 0.4% Pacific islander, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 1.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.5% were German, 23.9% were English, 15.4% were Irish, 7.9% were Norwegian, 6.5% were Scottish, and 3.4% were American.

Of the 4,014 households, 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.6% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 42.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,264 and the median income for a family was $53,036. Males had a median income of $35,568 versus $27,314 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,110. About 10.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Beaverhead County is one of the largest cattle and hay producing areas of Montana. Barrett's Minerals, one of the world's largest talc mines, calls Beaverhead County home. In 2009, Barrett Hospital and Healthcare was the largest private employer in the county.

Education
The University of Montana Western is in Dillon.

City

 * Dillon (county seat)

Town

 * Lima

Census-designated places

 * Argenta
 * Dell
 * Dewey
 * Glen
 * Grant
 * Jackson
 * Lakeview
 * Maverick Mountain
 * Wisdom
 * Wise River

Other unincorporated communities

 * Apex
 * Barretts
 * Bond
 * Dalys
 * Elkhorn Hot Springs
 * Ford
 * Kidd
 * Monida
 * Polaris
 * Red Rock

Former communities

 * Armstead - flooded by Clark County Reservoir in 1964
 * Bannack (presently a National Historic Monument and site of Bannack State Park)
 * Hecla
 * Lion City

Notable people

 * Joseph Poindexter, later Territorial Governor of Hawaii, served as County Attorney here.
 * Thomas Savage (1915-2003) spent his childhood and teen years on his family's ranch in Beaverhead County. His experiences there informed his best known novels, The Power of the Dog and The Sheep Queen.

title: Beaverhead County, Montana