Editing Beaverhead County, Montana

{{Short description|County in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Beaverhead County
 | state                = Montana
 | ex image             = Beaverhead County Courthouse July 2020.jpg
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = Beaverhead County Courthouse 
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = 
 | founded year         = 1865
 | seat wl              = Dillon
 | largest city wl      = Dillon
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 5572
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 5542
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 30
 | area percentage      = 0.5
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 9371
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 9719 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = www.beaverheadcounty.org
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | footnotes            = 
* Montana county number 18
}}

'''Beaverhead County''' is the largest [[County (United States)|county]] by area in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 9,371.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/beaverheadcountymontana/PST045222 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dillon, Montana|Dillon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was founded in 1865.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montana Place Names Companion |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |access-date=December 1, 2014 |website=Montana Place Names From Alzada to Zortman |publisher=Montana Historical Society Research Center}}</ref>

Much of the [[perimeter]] of the county is the [[Continental Divide of the Americas|Continental Divide]], including its entire border with the state of [[Idaho]]. The divide heads east into Montana at the county border with [[Ravalli County, Montana|Ravalli County]], between [[Lost Trail Pass]] and [[Chief Joseph Pass]].

==History==
The county name is derived from a rock formation, which the [[Shoshone people|Shoshone]] described as being shaped like a [[Beaver|beaver's]] head.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Merrill |first=Andrea |title=Montana almanac |last2=Judy Jacobson |publisher=Falcon Publishing |year=1997 |isbn=1-56044-493-2 |location=Helena MT |page=6}}</ref>

The original county seat was the gold-mining town of [[Bannack, Montana|Bannack]]. In 1881 it was moved to [[Dillon, Montana|Dillon]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|5572|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|5542|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|30|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_30.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205145322/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_30.txt |archive-date=December 5, 2014 |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 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===
{{div col|colwidth=16em}}
* [[Ravalli County, Montana|Ravalli County]] - northwest
* [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]] - north
* [[Silver Bow County, Montana|Silver Bow County]] - north
* [[Madison County, Montana|Madison County]] - east
* [[Fremont County, Idaho]] - southeast
* [[Clark County, Idaho]] - south
* [[Lemhi County, Idaho]] - west
{{div col end}}

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=16em}}
* {{jct|state=MT|I|15|US|91}}
* {{jct|state=MT|BL|15|dab1=Dillon}}
* {{jct|state=MT|MT|41}}
* {{jct|state=MT|MT|43}}
* {{jct|state=MT|Sec|278}}
* {{jct|state=MT|Sec|324|nolink1=yes}}
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
{{div col}}
* [[Beaverhead National Forest]] (part)
* [[Big Hole National Battlefield]]
* [[Nez Perce National Historical Park]] (part)
* [[Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Beaverhead is a heavily [[GOP|Republican]] county. It has not voted for a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Presidential candidate since 1936.
{{PresHead|place=Beaverhead County, Montana|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 2, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,058|1,543|193|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,923|1,608|130|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,353|1,143|353|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,289|1,371|152|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,008|1,617|138|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,067|1,103|72|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,113|799|284|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,414|1,164|441|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,746|1,098|1,316|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,668|1,274|56|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,044|942|49|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,955|842|306|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,461|1,013|69|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,460|775|182|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,896|853|357|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,754|1,469|8|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,731|1,307|5|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,955|1,029|0|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,196|920|12|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,583|1,356|66|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,556|1,263|13|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,725|1,632|14|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,304|2,153|81|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,418|1,834|39|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,906|1,144|14|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,386|766|590|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,049|833|96|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,455|1,463|89|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|708|713|431|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|878|739|73|Montana}}
{{PresFoot|1904|Republican|1,021|650|36|Montana}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 722
|1880= 2712
|1890= 4655
|1900= 5615
|1910= 6446
|1920= 7369
|1930= 6654
|1940= 6943
|1950= 6671
|1960= 7194
|1970= 8187
|1980= 8186
|1990= 8424
|2000= 9202
|2010= 9246
|2020= 9371
|estyear=2022
|estimate=9719
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=May 7, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790–1960,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mt190090.txt |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990–2000,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 9,371 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 9,246 people, 4,014 households, and 2,383 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|1.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 5,273 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.0|/sqmi}}. 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 Americans|German]], 23.9% were [[English Americans|English]], 15.4% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 7.9% were [[Norwegian Americans|Norwegian]], 6.5% were [[Scottish Americans|Scottish]], and 3.4% were [[American ancestry|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=State of Montana |title=Beaverhead County |url=http://www.ourfactsyourfuture.org/admin/uploadedPublications/3413_CF09_Beaverhead.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906171018/http://www.ourfactsyourfuture.org/admin/uploadedPublications/3413_CF09_Beaverhead.pdf |archive-date=September 6, 2011 |access-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> 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===
* [[Dillon, Montana|Dillon]] (county seat)

===Town===
* [[Lima, Montana|Lima]]

===Census-designated places===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Argenta, Montana|Argenta]]
* [[Dell, Montana|Dell]]
* [[Dewey, Montana|Dewey]]
* [[Glen, Montana|Glen]]
* [[Grant, Montana|Grant]]
* [[Jackson, Montana|Jackson]]
* [[Lakeview, Montana|Lakeview]]
* [[Maverick Mountain, Montana|Maverick Mountain]]
* [[Wisdom, Montana|Wisdom]]
* [[Wise River, Montana|Wise River]]
{{Div col end}}

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Apex, Montana|Apex]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Apex,+MT+59725/@45.3818683,-112.716001,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x535a16d5d2a1aa69:0x233e76d33f17133c!8m2!3d45.3818692!4d-112.7072462 ''Apex, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
* [[Barretts, Montana|Barretts]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Barretts,+MT+59725/@45.1313094,-112.7493339,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5350aa807e23dd83:0x6d8f3216ce998a21!8m2!3d45.1313103!4d-112.7405791 ''Barretts, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
* [[Bond, Montana|Bond]]
* [[Dalys, Montana|Dalys]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dalys,+MT+59725/@45.0850161,-112.7889935,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x535754d88a2a24e7:0x3d4fac80a886aa41!8m2!3d45.0851988!4d-112.7800242 ''Dalys, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
* [[Elkhorn Hot Springs, Montana|Elkhorn Hot Springs]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elkhorn+Hot+Springs,+MT+59746/@45.4554791,-113.1185192,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5359898b8dd8abd1:0xba1e22db39a37759!8m2!3d45.45548!4d-113.1097644 ''Elkhorn Hot Springs, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)]</ref>
* Ford<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ford,+MT+59725/@45.1535316,-112.7237775,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x535a00ba04af1adf:0xb63e50b194244f52!8m2!3d45.1535325!4d-112.7150227 ''Ford, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
* Kidd<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kidd,+MT+59725/@44.8010268,-112.7615485,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x535737f389d2ed3f:0x20d9a5097eb1aba2!8m2!3d44.8010277!4d-112.7527937 ''Kidd, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
* [[Monida, Montana|Monida]]
* [[Polaris, Montana|Polaris]]
* [[Red Rock, Montana|Red Rock]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Red+Rock,+MT+59725/@44.9004737,-112.8276216,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x53574f41c5956d59:0xab09849977885f8f!8m2!3d44.9004746!4d-112.8189098 ''Red Rock, Beaverhead County MT''  Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Former communities===
* [[Armstead, Montana|Armstead]] - flooded by [[Clark Canyon Dam|Clark County Reservoir]] in 1964
* [[Bannack, Montana|Bannack]] (presently a National Historic Monument and site of Bannack State Park)
* [[Hecla, Montana|Hecla]]
* Lion City

==Notable people==
* [[Joseph Poindexter]], later [[Territorial Governor of Hawaii]], served as County Attorney here {{citation needed|date=July 2020}}.
* [[Thomas Savage (novelist)|Thomas Savage]] (1915-2003) spent his childhood and teen years on his family's ranch in Beaverhead County. His experiences there informed his best known novels, ''The Power of the Dog'' and ''The Sheep Queen'' {{citation needed|date=July 2020}}.

==See also==
* [[List of lakes in Beaverhead County, Montana]]
* [[List of mountains in Beaverhead County, Montana]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Beaverhead County, Montana]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.beaverheadcounty.org/ Official page]
* [http://www.beaverheadchamber.org/ Chamber of Commerce page]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Beaverhead County, Montana
|North     = [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]] and [[Silver Bow County, Montana|Silver Bow County]]
|East      = [[Madison County, Montana|Madison County]]
|Southeast = [[Fremont County, Idaho]]
|South     = [[Clark County, Idaho]]
|West      = [[Lemhi County, Idaho]]
|Northwest = [[Ravalli County, Montana|Ravalli County]]
}}

{{Beaverhead County, Montana}}
{{Montana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.12|-112.90|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MT_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Beaverhead County, Montana| ]]
[[Category:1865 establishments in Montana Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1865]]