Blaine County, Montana

Infobox U.S. County
county= Blaine County
state= Montana


map size= 225
founded year=1912
seat= Chinook
largest city= Chinook
leader=
area_total_sq_mi=4239
area_land_sq_mi=4226
area_water_sq_mi=13
area percentage= 0.30%
census yr= 2000
pop= 7009
density_km2=1
web= www.co.blaine.mt.gov|

Blaine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of 2000, the population is 7,009. Its county seat is ChinookGR|6. It was named in honor of James G. Blaine, former United States Secretary of State.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,239 square miles (10,979 km²), of which, 4,226 square miles (10,946 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (33 km²) of it (0.30%) is water.

=Adjacent counties and rural municipalities=

* Hill County, Montana - west
* Chouteau County, Montana - south
* Fergus County, Montana - south
* Phillips County, Montana - east
* Reno No. 51, Saskatchewan - north
* Frontier No. 19, Saskatchewan - north
* Lone Tree No. 18, Saskatchewan - north

National protected areas

* Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
* Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
* Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,009 people, 2,501 households, and 1,793 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,947 housing units at an average density of <1/km² (1/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 52.58% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 45.37% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.8% were of German and 8.1% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000. 91.7% spoke English, 3.8% German and 2.0% Dakota as their first language.

There were 2,501 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.36.

In the county the population was spread out with 32.60% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,247, and the median income for a family was $30,616. Males had a median income of $23,627 versus $20,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,101. About 23.40% of families and 28.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.50% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.

Localities

Cities

*Chinook
*Harlem

Census-designated places

*Fort Belknap Agency
*Hays
*Lodge Pole

References