Carbon County, Montana

Carbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,078 and estimated at 10,725 as of a 2019 estimate.[1] Its county seat is Red Lodge.[2]

Carbon County
U.S. county
Carbon County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°14′N 109°01′W
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedMarch 4, 1895
SeatRed Lodge
Largest cityRed Lodge
Area
 • Total2,062 sq mi (5,340 km2)
 • Land2,049 sq mi (5,310 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total10,078
 • Estimate 
(2019)
10,725
 • Density4.9/sq mi (1.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websiteco.carbon.mt.us
 
  • Montana county number 10

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.[3] More than sixty federally designated historic sites are located in the county, including Petroglyph Canyon,[4] one of the state's most important rock art sites.[5]

The first commercial oil well in the state was established in Elk Basin fields in 1915.[6]

Geography
Bear's Tooth

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,062 square miles (5,340 km2), of which 2,049 square miles (5,310 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7]

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",[8] links Red Lodge to Cooke City. The Pryor Mountains are in the east of the county, along with the Big Horn River.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Politics

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

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 63.3% 4,468 34.3% 2,421 2.3% 163
2016 62.6% 3,748 30.5% 1,828 6.9% 415
2012 60.4% 3,533 36.7% 2,146 2.9% 168
2008 54.1% 3,108 42.5% 2,443 3.5% 199
2004 62.8% 3,342 34.7% 1,847 2.5% 132
2000 62.8% 3,008 29.9% 1,434 7.3% 347
1996 45.1% 2,147 38.9% 1,854 16.0% 761
1992 33.8% 1,562 33.5% 1,549 32.7% 1,509
1988 52.8% 2,360 45.6% 2,039 1.6% 71
1984 62.7% 2,877 36.1% 1,657 1.2% 53
1980 56.6% 2,471 33.7% 1,468 9.7% 424
1976 52.4% 2,121 45.8% 1,853 1.8% 71
1972 61.9% 2,378 33.6% 1,292 4.5% 171
1968 55.0% 1,972 37.7% 1,353 7.3% 262
1964 42.3% 1,535 57.8% 2,098 0.0% 0
1960 51.8% 2,050 48.0% 1,903 0.2% 8
1956 56.3% 2,345 43.7% 1,820 0.0% 0
1952 61.2% 2,734 38.3% 1,713 0.5% 23
1948 45.6% 1,901 47.9% 1,997 6.5% 271
1944 50.3% 2,126 49.0% 2,073 0.7% 31
1940 46.9% 2,421 51.9% 2,678 1.2% 62
1936 33.2% 1,617 63.9% 3,116 2.9% 143
1932 38.3% 1,942 56.6% 2,872 5.2% 262
1928 58.1% 2,514 38.7% 1,674 3.2% 139
1924 44.3% 1,891 16.4% 698 39.3% 1,677
1920 64.1% 2,700 26.3% 1,107 9.7% 407
1916 42.6% 1,708 48.0% 1,926 9.4% 379
1912 24.9% 646 30.7% 796 44.5% 1,154[10]
1908 52.0% 1,205 36.4% 844 11.6% 268
1904 59.1% 1,130 24.3% 464 16.7% 319

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19007,533—
191013,96285.3%
192015,2799.4%
193012,571−17.7%
194011,865−5.6%
195010,241−13.7%
19608,317−18.8%
19707,080−14.9%
19808,09914.4%
19908,080−0.2%
20009,55218.2%
201010,0785.5%
2019 (est.)10,725[11]6.4%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[16] there were 9,552 people, 4,065 households, and 2,707 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 5,494 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.07% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.65% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of German, 11.5% English, 9.2% Irish, 8.9% Norwegian, 5.9% American and 5.2% Italian ancestry.

There were 4,065 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.

The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,139, and the median income for a family was $38,405. Males had a median income of $30,226 versus $19,945 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 8.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,078 people, 4,571 households, and 2,884 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 4.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.9/km2). There were 6,441 housing units at an average density of 3.1 per square mile (1.2/km2).[18] 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.[17] 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.[19]

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.[17]

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.[20]

Economy

During the early history of Carbon County, coal mining was the predominant industry. The current economy relies on agriculture, recreation, and tourism.[21]

In 2009 the top employers were Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, Red Lodge Mountain, and the Red Lodge Pizza Company.[21]

In December 2014, construction began on a large windfarm, Mud Springs Wind Ranch, with 120 wind turbines, 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Bridger.[22]

Communities
Farm along a creek in Roscoe, September 1978

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

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

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Carbon County. "Welcome to Carbon County". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  5. Vincent, William B. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Petroglyph Canyon. National Park Service, September 4, 1974, 3.
  6. Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. America's Byways. "Beartooth Highway-Montana". Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  9. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  10. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 766 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 388 votes.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  12. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. "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.
  18. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  19. "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.
  20. "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.
  21. Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry (September 2010). "Demographic & Economic Information for Carbon County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  22. Lutney, Tom (December 19, 2014). "Major wind farm breaks ground near Bridger". Missoulian. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  23. Alpine, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 3December 31, 2018)
  24. George Place, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  25. Montaqua, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  26. Peterson Place, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  27. Richel Lodge, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  28. Selmes, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)

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