Beaverhead County, Montana

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


map size = 225
founded = 1864
seat = Dillon
largest city = Dillon | area_total_sq_mi =5572
area_land_sq_mi =5542
area_water_sq_mi =30
area percentage = 0.53%
census yr = 2000
pop = 9202
density_km2 =1
web = www.beaverheadcounty.org
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Beaverhead County is the largest county by area in the U.S. state of Montana. As of 2000, the population is 9,202. Its county seat is DillonGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,572 square miles (14,432 km²), of which, 5,542 square miles (14,355 km²) of it is land and 30 square miles (77 km²) of it (0.53%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

* Ravalli County, Montana - northwest
* Deer Lodge County, Montana - north
* Silver Bow County, Montana - north
* Madison County, Montana - east
* Fremont County, Idaho - southeast
* Clark County, Idaho - south
* Lemhi County, Idaho - west

National protected areas

* Beaverhead National Forest (part)
* Big Hole National Battlefield
* Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
* Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,202 people, 3,684 households, and 2,354 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 4,571 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.86% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.46% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 2.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% were of German, 14.9% English, 10.7% Irish, 9.0% American and 7.2% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,684 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.10% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 105.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,962, and the median income for a family was $38,971. Males had a median income of $26,162 versus $18,115 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,621. About 12.80% of families and 17.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

*Dillon

Town

*Lima

Census-designated place

*Wisdom

Other communities

*Armstead
*Bannack
*Dell
*Glen
*Jackson
*Lakeview
*Polaris
*Wise River

Notable residents

Joseph Poindexter, later Territorial Governor of Hawaii, served as County Attorney here.

References