Beaverhead County, Montana

Beaverhead County is the largest county by area in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 9,246.[1] Its county seat is Dillon.[2] The county was founded in 1865.[3]

Beaverhead County
U.S. county
Beaverhead County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°07′N 112°54′W
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1865
SeatDillon
Largest cityDillon
Area
 • Total5,572 sq mi (14,430 km2)
 • Land5,542 sq mi (14,350 km2)
 • Water30 sq mi (80 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total9,246
 • Estimate 
(2019)
9,453
 • Density1.7/sq mi (0.64/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.beaverheadcounty.org
 
  • Montana county number 18

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.[4]

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

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,572 square miles (14,430 km2), of which 5,542 square miles (14,350 km2) is land and 30 square miles (78 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5] It is the largest county in Montana by area. Beaverhead crater is in the area. The Big Hole River (formerly called Wisdom River) runs through the county.

Adjacent counties

Major highways
  • I-15 / US 91
  • I-15 BL
  • MT 41
  • MT 43
  • S-278
  • S-324

National protected areas

Politics

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

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 69.3% 3,923 28.4% 1,608 2.3% 130
2016 69.2% 3,353 23.6% 1,143 7.3% 353
2012 68.4% 3,289 28.5% 1,371 3.2% 152
2008 63.2% 3,008 34.0% 1,617 2.9% 138
2004 72.3% 3,067 26.0% 1,103 1.7% 72
2000 74.2% 3,113 19.0% 799 6.8% 284
1996 60.1% 2,414 29.0% 1,164 11.0% 441
1992 42.0% 1,746 26.4% 1,098 31.6% 1,316
1988 66.7% 2,668 31.9% 1,274 1.4% 56
1984 75.4% 3,044 23.4% 942 1.2% 49
1980 72.0% 2,955 20.5% 842 7.5% 306
1976 69.5% 2,461 28.6% 1,013 2.0% 69
1972 72.0% 2,460 22.7% 775 5.3% 182
1968 61.0% 1,896 27.5% 853 11.5% 357
1964 54.3% 1,754 45.5% 1,469 0.3% 8
1960 56.9% 1,731 43.0% 1,307 0.2% 5
1956 65.5% 1,955 34.5% 1,029 0.0% 0
1952 70.2% 2,196 29.4% 920 0.4% 12
1948 52.7% 1,583 45.1% 1,356 2.2% 66
1944 54.9% 1,556 44.6% 1,263 0.5% 13
1940 51.2% 1,725 48.4% 1,632 0.4% 14
1936 36.9% 1,304 60.9% 2,153 2.3% 81
1932 43.1% 1,418 55.7% 1,834 1.2% 39
1928 62.2% 1,906 37.3% 1,144 0.5% 14
1924 50.6% 1,386 27.9% 766 21.5% 590
1920 68.8% 2,049 28.0% 833 3.2% 96
1916 48.4% 1,455 48.7% 1,463 3.0% 89
1912 38.2% 708 38.5% 713 23.3% 431
1908 52.0% 878 43.7% 739 4.3% 73
1904 59.8% 1,021 38.1% 650 2.1% 36

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1870722—
18802,712275.6%
18904,65571.6%
19005,61520.6%
19106,44614.8%
19207,36914.3%
19306,654−9.7%
19406,9434.3%
19506,671−3.9%
19607,1947.8%
19708,18713.8%
19808,1860.0%
19908,4242.9%
20009,2029.2%
20109,2460.5%
2019 (est.)9,453[7]2.2%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 9,202 people, 3,684 households, and 2,354 families living in the county. The population density was 2 inhabitants per square mile (0.8/km2). There were 4,571 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.86% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.46% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 2.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% were of German, 14.9% English, 10.7% Irish, 9.0% American and 7.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 3,684 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.10% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 24.60% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 105.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,962, and the median income for a family was $38,971. Males had a median income of $26,162 versus $18,115 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,621. About 12.80% of families and 17.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,246 people, 4,014 households, and 2,383 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 1.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.66/km2). There were 5,273 housing units at an average density of 1.0 per square mile (0.39/km2).[14] 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.[13] 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.[15]

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.[13]

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.[16]

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.[17] In 2009, Barrett Hospital and Healthcare was the largest private employer in the county.

Education

The University of Montana Western is in Dillon.

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Place Names From Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  4. Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. p. 6. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  6. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  15. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  17. State of Montana. "Beaverhead County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  18. Apex, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  19. Argenta, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  20. Barretts, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  21. Dalys, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  22. Elkhorn Hot Springs, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
  23. Ford, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  24. Grant, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  25. Kidd, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  26. Red Rock, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)

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