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.[1] Its county seat is Townsend.[2] The county was named for Charles Arthur Broadwater, a noted Montana railroad, real estate, and banking magnate.[3]

Broadwater County
County
The Broadwater County Courthouse in Townsend
The Broadwater County Courthouse in Townsend
Map of Montana highlighting Broadwater County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°20′N 111°30′W
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1897
Named forCharles Arthur Broadwater
SeatTownsend
Largest cityTownsend
Area
 • Total1,239 sq mi (3,210 km2)
 • Land1,193 sq mi (3,090 km2)
 • Water46 sq mi (120 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,774
 • Estimate 
(2022)
7,793 Increase
 • Density5.5/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.broadwater.mt.us
  • Montana county number 43

History
"The Silos" are a major Broadwater County landmark

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.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,239 square miles (3,210 km2), of which 1,193 square miles (3,090 km2) is land and 46 square miles (120 km2) (3.7%) is water.[5]

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.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Politics
United States presidential election results for Broadwater County, Montana[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,173 77.45% 835 20.38% 89 2.17%
2016 2,348 74.94% 573 18.29% 212 6.77%
2012 2,152 71.47% 764 25.37% 95 3.16%
2008 1,875 66.80% 857 30.53% 75 2.67%
2004 1,778 75.47% 533 22.62% 45 1.91%
2000 1,488 71.75% 462 22.28% 124 5.98%
1996 1,029 52.34% 603 30.67% 334 16.99%
1992 830 45.06% 491 26.66% 521 28.28%
1988 1,054 62.63% 592 35.18% 37 2.20%
1984 1,345 73.50% 458 25.03% 27 1.48%
1980 1,052 67.26% 401 25.64% 111 7.10%
1976 820 59.04% 557 40.10% 12 0.86%
1972 916 66.57% 411 29.87% 49 3.56%
1968 671 54.29% 439 35.52% 126 10.19%
1964 609 50.58% 595 49.42% 0 0.00%
1960 680 51.87% 631 48.13% 0 0.00%
1956 869 65.93% 449 34.07% 0 0.00%
1952 962 68.86% 435 31.14% 0 0.00%
1948 704 55.61% 536 42.34% 26 2.05%
1944 760 57.45% 558 42.18% 5 0.38%
1940 755 46.81% 854 52.94% 4 0.25%
1936 502 31.43% 1,071 67.06% 24 1.50%
1932 512 33.71% 988 65.04% 19 1.25%
1928 743 52.51% 663 46.86% 9 0.64%
1924 531 37.71% 486 34.52% 391 27.77%
1920 723 51.50% 622 44.30% 59 4.20%
1916 584 33.45% 1,100 63.00% 62 3.55%
1912 205 21.97% 451 48.34% 277 29.69%
1908 326 37.86% 495 57.49% 40 4.65%
1904 392 44.90% 403 46.16% 78 8.93%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19002,641—
19103,49132.2%
19203,239−7.2%
19302,738−15.5%
19403,45126.0%
19502,922−15.3%
19602,804−4.0%
19702,526−9.9%
19803,26729.3%
19903,3181.6%
20004,38532.2%
20105,61228.0%
20206,77420.7%
2022 (est.)7,793[8]15.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,612 people, 2,347 households, and 1,614 families living in the county. The population density was 4.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.8/km2). There were 2,695 housing units at an average density of 2.3 units per square mile (0.89 units/km2). 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.[6]

Communities
Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Big Belt Mountains near Townsend

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
  4. Broadwater County Planning Board (July 2003). "Broadwater County Growth Policy Plan". Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  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. State of Montana (2006). "Demographic & economic information for Broadwater County". Internet Archive. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  7. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. Canton, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  14. Copper City, Broadhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  15. Diamond City, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  16. Eustis, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  17. Holker, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)

46.33°N 111.50°W / 46.33; -111.50

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