Park County, Montana

Park County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2010 census, the population was 15,636.[2] Its county seat is Livingston.[3] A small part of Yellowstone National Park is in the southern part of the county.

Park County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°30′N 110°31′W
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedFebruary 23, 1887[1]
SeatLivingston
Largest cityLivingston
Area
 • Total2,813 sq mi (7,290 km2)
 • Land2,803 sq mi (7,260 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total15,636
 • Estimate 
(2019)
16,606
 • Density5.6/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Area code406
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.parkcounty.org
 
  • Montana county number 49

History

The Territorial Legislature of Montana Territory authorized Park County on February 23, 1887. It was named for its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, part of which is now in the county.

This area had long been peopled and hunted by indigenous peoples, including the Crow, Sioux, and Blackfoot tribes. The first recorded visit of European-descent people was the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1805). Mountain man Jim Bridger wintered with Crow nomads near present-day Emigrant in 1844–45.

Hunting and trapping brought many men across this area during the first part of the 19th century, but by 1850 the beaver population had nearly disappeared. Gold was discovered in Emigrant Gulch in 1863, and by 1864 a booming town was serving the area. In late 1864, Yellowstone City, consisting of 75 cabins, was in operation.

Two miners, John Bozeman and John Jacobs, laid out the Bozeman Trail in 1864 to allow access to western Montana Territory, and it soon became a well-traveled path between Fort Laramie and western Montana. The road ran through the future Livingston area to Bozeman Pass. By the late 1860s considerable traffic was also arriving (and departing) via the Yellowstone River, at an embarkation point in the Livingston area.

By the late 1860s, the indigenous peoples, denied access to their previous areas, had become a danger to the settlers, so Territorial Governor Green Clay Smith organized a militia to guard the Livingston area. The group of 600 men encamped at Fort Howie, near the mouth of Shields River, five miles (8 km) east of present-day Livingston.

In 1868 an Indian agency (including a fortified structure) was established on the Crow Reservation, at Mission Creek, southeast of Livingston. A ferry service to the fort was set up to cross the Yellowstone River, four miles (6 km) east of present-day Livingston. Benson's Landing was the small settlement that grew around the landing, and was a bustling community center for a few decades.

Interest in the Yellowstone Park area grew around 1870. By 1872, the federal government had established it as the country's first national park. By 1880 the population of the future Park County was 200. In 1881 the Northern Pacific Railway entered Montana Territory and extended a line to Livingston (which by this time had 500 inhabitants) by November 22, 1882. In 1883 the National Park branch of the Northern Pacific was completed; that year also saw completion[4] of the east–west link of the NP lines, opening the northern part of the nation to commerce and settlement. The local population continued to grow rapidly; by 1887 the territorial legislature had authorized a county and its government had been set into motion. By 1890 the county population had reached 6,900.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 2,813 square miles (7,290 km2), of which 2,803 square miles (7,260 km2) is land and 10.4 square miles (27 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6] The highest natural point in Montana, Granite Peak at 12,807 feet (3,904m), is in Park County. 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 square miles (256.81 km2) of land area and 0.119 square miles (0.31 km2) of water area, whereas Park County received 146.229 square miles (378.73 km2) of land and 0.608 square miles (1.57 km2) of water. The geographies transferred are known as Census Tract 14 in Gallatin County and Census Tract 6 in Park County.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Politics

Voters in Park County tend to support the Republican Party candidate in national elections (79% since 1904).

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 52.1% 6,025 45.7% 5,280 2.3% 261
2016 53.2% 4,980 38.4% 3,595 8.4% 784
2012 53.7% 4,709 43.2% 3,783 3.2% 276
2008 49.2% 4,376 46.9% 4,173 3.9% 349
2004 58.1% 4,771 38.9% 3,199 3.0% 248
2000 61.1% 4,523 29.1% 2,154 9.8% 729
1996 51.5% 3,837 34.4% 2,564 14.1% 1,047
1992 38.0% 2,846 30.2% 2,258 31.8% 2,378
1988 59.1% 3,823 39.1% 2,526 1.8% 116
1984 62.5% 4,115 36.3% 2,387 1.2% 79
1980 63.4% 3,929 26.8% 1,663 9.7% 603
1976 57.2% 3,281 41.2% 2,364 1.7% 95
1972 63.9% 3,771 32.6% 1,923 3.5% 208
1968 57.4% 3,063 34.0% 1,815 8.7% 462
1964 48.0% 2,619 51.8% 2,824 0.2% 10
1960 59.4% 3,329 40.2% 2,249 0.4% 23
1956 63.4% 3,733 36.6% 2,151 0.0% 0
1952 67.5% 4,152 32.0% 1,969 0.5% 29
1948 50.8% 2,461 45.9% 2,222 3.3% 162
1944 51.2% 2,396 48.0% 2,245 0.8% 36
1940 45.7% 2,433 53.3% 2,833 1.0% 53
1936 33.0% 1,583 61.9% 2,968 5.1% 242
1932 41.1% 1,895 55.0% 2,533 3.9% 181
1928 68.8% 3,095 29.8% 1,338 1.4% 63
1924 50.7% 2,199 15.9% 688 33.4% 1,450
1920 63.1% 2,537 28.7% 1,155 8.2% 328
1916 45.4% 1,957 47.6% 2,050 7.0% 302
1912 27.6% 609 30.2% 666 42.2% 932
1908 50.9% 1,305 37.1% 952 11.9% 306
1904 59.5% 1,408 24.6% 583 15.9% 375

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18906,881—
19007,3416.7%
191010,73146.2%
192011,3305.6%
193010,922−3.6%
194011,5665.9%
195011,9993.7%
196013,1689.7%
197011,197−15.0%
198012,86914.9%
199014,56213.2%
200015,6947.8%
201015,636−0.4%
2019 (est.)16,606[8]6.2%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2019[2]

2000 census

At the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 15,694 people, 6,828 households and 4,219 families in the county. The population density was 6 per square mile (2/km2). There were 8,247 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.65% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 1.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of German, 12.4% English, 9.5% Norwegian, 9.0% Irish and 7.9% American ancestry.

There were 6,828 households, of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.20% were non-families. 32.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.88.

The population contained 23.5% under age 18, 6.50% 18–24, 27.90% 25–44, 27.10% 45–64, and 14.90% who were 65+. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median household income was $31,739 and the median family income was $40,561. Males had a median income of $28,215 and females $19,973. The per capita income was $17,704. About 7.20% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 15,636 people, 7,310 households, and 4,177 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 5.6 inhabitants per square mile (2.2/km2). There were 9,375 housing units at an average density of 3.3 per square mile (1.3/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 17.3% were English, 16.2% were Irish, 10.9% were Norwegian, and 7.4% were American.[16]

Of the 7,310 households, 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.9% were non-families, and 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 45.4 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,830 and the median income for a family was $50,252. Males had a median income of $36,878 versus $31,062 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,717. About 7.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

See also

References
Specific
  1. "Montana County Formation Time Line". Genealogy Trails History Group. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. The tie was made near present-day Garrison, in the future Powell County, Montana.
  5. History of Park County
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  7. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  16. "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 10, 2016.
  17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  18. Carbella MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  19. Chadborn MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  20. Chimney Rock MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  21. Contact MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  22. Grannis MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  23. Hoppers MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  24. Hunters Hot Springs MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  25. Independence MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  26. Kotke MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  27. Miner MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  28. Pine Creek MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  29. Sphinx MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
  30. White City MT Google Maps (accessed 4 January 2019)
General

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