Editing Lake County, Montana

{{Short description|County in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Lake County
 | state                = Montana
 | ex image             = StIgMissionOutside.JPG
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[St. Ignatius Mission]] at [[St. Ignatius, Montana]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = 
 | founded year         = 1923
 | seat wl              = Polson
 | largest city wl      = Polson
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1654
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1490
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 164
 | area percentage      = 9.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 31134
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 32853 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = http://www.lakemt.gov/
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | named for            = [[Flathead Lake]]
 | footnotes            = 
* Montana county number 15
}}

'''Lake County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northwest part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 31,134.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lakecountymontana/PST045222 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Polson, Montana|Polson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1654|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1490|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|164|sqmi}} (9.9%) 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 28, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Over two-thirds (67.7%) of the county's land lies within the [[Flathead Indian Reservation]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Flathead County, Montana|Flathead County]] - north
* [[Missoula County, Montana|Missoula County]] - east
* [[Sanders County, Montana|Sanders County]] - west

===National protected areas===
{{div col}}
* [[Bison Range]] (part)
* [[Flathead National Forest]] (part)
* [[Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Pablo National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Swan River National Wildlife Refuge]]
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 9541
|1940= 13490
|1950= 13835
|1960= 13104
|1970= 14445
|1980= 19056
|1990= 21041
|2000= 26507
|2010= 28746
|2020= 31134
|estyear=2022
|estimate=32853
|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=April 5, 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 28, 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 28, 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 28, 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 28, 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 31,134 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 28,746 people, 11,432 households, and 7,770 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|19.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 16,588 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11.1|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 69.4% white, 22.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 7.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were [[German Americans|German]], 11.6% were [[English Americans|English]], 11.5% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 6.9% were [[Norwegian Americans|Norwegian]], and 3.8% were [[American ancestry|American]].

Of the 11,432 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 41.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,274 and the median income for a family was $47,437. Males had a median income of $37,461 versus $26,637 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,164. About 15.4% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Lake County, Montana|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 3, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,880|6,510|581|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,322|6,916|388|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,530|4,776|875|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,135|5,805|364|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|6,498|6,766|692|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,245|4,960|371|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,441|3,884|1,123|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,723|4,195|1,922|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,596|3,938|3,018|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,883|4,109|158|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,754|3,473|121|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,083|2,615|834|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,809|3,253|148|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,172|2,260|287|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,358|1,956|685|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,828|3,148|10|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,240|2,462|7|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,363|2,253|0|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,651|1,893|65|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,295|2,177|178|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,265|1,750|44|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,718|2,379|84|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,401|2,656|365|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,361|2,514|207|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,876|1,256|25|Montana}}
{{PresFoot|1924|Progressive|884|340|1,933|Montana}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Polson, Montana|Polson]] (county seat)
* [[Ronan, Montana|Ronan]]

===Town===
* [[St. Ignatius, Montana|St. Ignatius]]

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Arlee, Montana|Arlee]]
* [[Bear Dance, Montana|Bear Dance]]
* [[Big Arm, Montana|Big Arm]]
* [[Charlo, Montana|Charlo]]
* [[Dayton, Montana|Dayton]]
* [[Elmo, Montana|Elmo]]
* [[Finley Point, Montana|Finley Point]]
* [[Jette, Montana|Jette]]
* [[Kerr, Montana|Kerr]]
* [[Kicking Horse, Montana|Kicking Horse]]
* [[Kings Point, Montana|Kings Point]]
* [[Lake Mary Ronan, Montana|Lake Mary Ronan]]
* [[Lindisfarne, Montana|Lindisfarne]]
* [[Niarada, Montana|Niarada]]
* [[Pablo, Montana|Pablo]]
* [[Ravalli, Montana|Ravalli]]
* [[Rocky Point, Montana|Rocky Point]]
* [[Rollins, Montana|Rollins]]
* [[Swan Lake, Montana|Swan Lake]]
* [[Turtle Lake, Montana|Turtle Lake]]
* [[Woods Bay, Montana|Woods Bay]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Allentown<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Allentown,+MT+59824/@47.4404873,-114.1052549,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5367629756d37c03:0x856c235aa13ab2e!8m2!3d47.4404882!4d-114.0965 ''Allentown MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
* Post Creek<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Post+Creek,+MT+59865/@47.3990978,-114.1055318,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x5367a450f2a31caf:0x15f8e64751699d7a!2sLake+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d47.671374!4d-114.1339242!3m4!1s0x535d89b02d085929:0x7666d76f41021e68!8m2!3d47.3990464!4d-114.0967941 ''Post Creek MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Proctor, Montana|Proctor]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Proctor,+MT+59929/@47.8924441,-114.3141566,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x53670619ac43bc71:0x8f0463fe415c52f7!8m2!3d47.8924449!4d-114.3054018 ''Proctor MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
* Round Butte<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Round+Butte,+MT+59864/@47.4491702,-114.1437817,10.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x536765d9b24cb44f:0x1e576d2b08d1eeb6!8m2!3d47.5296566!4d-114.2626223 ''Round Butte MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
* Salmon Prairie<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Salmon+Prairie,+MT+59911/@47.6299377,-113.7941279,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x536784fa474d39db:0xa546a813eb022879!8m2!3d47.6299386!4d-113.7853731 ''Salmon Prairie''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
* Sipes<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sipes,+MT+59929/@47.892964,-114.3811557,11.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x53670419c330c385:0xe47727a9276055ad!8m2!3d47.9327241!4d-114.38596 ''Sipes MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Education==
School districts include:

K-12 (Unified):<ref name="LakeCoSDMap2020">{{Cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lake County, MT |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30047_lake/DC20SD_C30047.pdf |access-date=March 13, 2024 |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] |page=4 (PDF p. 5/7)}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30047_lake/DC20SD_C30047_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Hot Springs K-12 Schools]]
* [[St. Ignatius K-12 Schools]]

High school:<ref name=LakeCoSDMap2020/>
* [[Arlee High School District]]
* [[Bigfork High School District]]
* [[Charlo High School District]]
* [[Missoula High School District]]
* [[Polson High School District]]
* [[Ronan High School District]]

Elementary school:<ref name=LakeCoSDMap2020/>
* [[Arlee Elementary School District]]
* [[Bigfork Elementary School District]]
* [[Charlo Elementary School District]]
* [[Polson Elementary School District]]
* [[Ronan Elementary School District]]
* [[Swan Lake-Salmon Elementary School District]]
* [[Upper West Shore Elementary School District]]
* [[Valley View Elementary School District]]

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Lake County, Montana
|North     = [[Flathead County, Montana|Flathead County]]
|East      = [[Flathead County, Montana|Flathead County]] and [[Missoula County, Montana|Missoula County]]
|South     = [[Missoula County, Montana|Missoula County]]
|West      = [[Sanders County, Montana|Sanders County]]
}}

{{Lake County, Montana}}
{{Montana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|47.65|-114.09|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MT_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Lake County, Montana| ]]
[[Category:1923 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1923]]