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.[1] Its county seat is Dillon.[2] The county was founded in 1865.[3]

Beaverhead County
County
Beaverhead County Courthouse
Beaverhead County Courthouse
Map of Montana highlighting Beaverhead County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting 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
 (2020)
 • Total9,371
 • Estimate 
(2022)
9,719 Increase
 • Density1.7/sq mi (0.65/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district1st
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 United States 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 impact structure is in the area. The Big Hole River (formerly called Wisdom River) runs through the county.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Politics

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

United States presidential election results for Beaverhead County, Montana[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,923 69.30% 1,608 28.40% 130 2.30%
2016 3,353 69.15% 1,143 23.57% 353 7.28%
2012 3,289 68.35% 1,371 28.49% 152 3.16%
2008 3,008 63.15% 1,617 33.95% 138 2.90%
2004 3,067 72.30% 1,103 26.00% 72 1.70%
2000 3,113 74.19% 799 19.04% 284 6.77%
1996 2,414 60.06% 1,164 28.96% 441 10.97%
1992 1,746 41.97% 1,098 26.39% 1,316 31.63%
1988 2,668 66.73% 1,274 31.87% 56 1.40%
1984 3,044 75.44% 942 23.35% 49 1.21%
1980 2,955 72.02% 842 20.52% 306 7.46%
1976 2,461 69.46% 1,013 28.59% 69 1.95%
1972 2,460 71.99% 775 22.68% 182 5.33%
1968 1,896 61.04% 853 27.46% 357 11.49%
1964 1,754 54.29% 1,469 45.47% 8 0.25%
1960 1,731 56.88% 1,307 42.95% 5 0.16%
1956 1,955 65.52% 1,029 34.48% 0 0.00%
1952 2,196 70.20% 920 29.41% 12 0.38%
1948 1,583 52.68% 1,356 45.12% 66 2.20%
1944 1,556 54.94% 1,263 44.60% 13 0.46%
1940 1,725 51.17% 1,632 48.41% 14 0.42%
1936 1,304 36.86% 2,153 60.85% 81 2.29%
1932 1,418 43.09% 1,834 55.73% 39 1.19%
1928 1,906 62.21% 1,144 37.34% 14 0.46%
1924 1,386 50.55% 766 27.94% 590 21.52%
1920 2,049 68.80% 833 27.97% 96 3.22%
1916 1,455 48.39% 1,463 48.65% 89 2.96%
1912 708 38.23% 713 38.50% 431 23.27%
1908 878 51.95% 739 43.73% 73 4.32%
1904 1,021 59.81% 650 38.08% 36 2.11%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
20209,3711.4%
2022 (est.)9,719[7]3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,246 people, 4,014 households, and 2,383 families living in the county. 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). 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.[12] 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 places

Other unincorporated communities

Former communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  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". United States 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. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States 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". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. State of Montana. "Beaverhead County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  13. Apex, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  14. Barretts, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  15. Dalys, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  16. Elkhorn Hot Springs, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
  17. Ford, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  18. Kidd, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  19. Red Rock, Beaverhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)

45.12°N 112.90°W / 45.12; -112.90

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