Editing Park County, Montana

{{Short description|County in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Update|Demographics|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Park County
 | state                = Montana
 | ex image             = Livingston-Post-Office.jpg
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Park County, Montana|US Post Office]] in [[Livingston, Montana]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = February 23
 | founded year         = 1887<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montana County Formation Time Line |url=http://genealogytrails.com/mon/countytimeline.html |access-date=April 5, 2015 |publisher=Genealogy Trails History Group}}</ref>
 | seat wl              = Livingston
 | largest city wl      = Livingston
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 2,813
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 2,803
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 10
 | area percentage      = 0.4
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 17191
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 17790 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = www.parkcounty.org
 | district             = 2nd
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | area codes           = [[Area code 406|406]]
 | footnotes            = 
* Montana county number 49
}}

'''Park County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 17,191.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/parkcountymontana/PST045222 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Livingston, Montana|Livingston]].<ref name="GR6">{{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/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> A small part of [[Yellowstone National Park]] is in the southern part of the county.

==History==
The Territorial Legislature of [[Montana Territory]] authorized Park County on February 23, 1887. It was named for its proximity to [[Yellowstone National Park]], part of which is now in the county.

This area had long been peopled and hunted by indigenous peoples, including the [[Crow Nation|Crow]], [[Sioux]], and [[Blackfoot Confederacy|Blackfoot]] tribes. The first recorded visit of European-descent people was the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] (1805). Mountain man [[Jim Bridger]] wintered with Crow nomads near present-day Emigrant in 1844–45.

Hunting and trapping brought many men across this area during the first part of the 19th century, but by 1850 the beaver population had nearly disappeared. Gold was discovered in Emigrant Gulch in 1863, and by 1864 a booming town was serving the area. In late 1864, Yellowstone City, consisting of 75 cabins, was in operation.

Two miners, [[John Bozeman]] and John Jacobs, laid out the [[Bozeman Trail]] in 1864 to allow access to western Montana Territory, and it soon became a well-traveled path between [[Fort Laramie]] and western Montana. The road ran through the future Livingston area to [[Bozeman Pass]]. By the late 1860s considerable traffic was also arriving (and departing) via the [[Yellowstone River]], at an embarkation point in the Livingston area.

By the late 1860s, the indigenous peoples, denied access to their previous areas, had become a danger to the settlers, so Territorial Governor [[Green Clay Smith]] organized a militia to guard the Livingston area. The group of 600 men encamped at Fort Howie, near the mouth of [[Shields River]], {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} east of present-day Livingston.

In 1868 an Indian agency (including a fortified structure) was established on the Crow Reservation, at Mission Creek, southeast of Livingston. A ferry service to the fort was set up to cross the Yellowstone River, {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} east of present-day Livingston. Benson's Landing was the small settlement that grew around the landing, and was a bustling community center for a few decades.

Interest in the Yellowstone Park area grew around 1870. By 1872, the federal government had established it as the country's first national park. By 1880 the population of the future Park County was 200. In 1881 the [[Northern Pacific Railway]] entered Montana Territory and extended a line to Livingston (which by this time had 500 inhabitants) by November 22, 1882. In 1883 the National Park branch of the Northern Pacific was completed; that year also saw completion<ref>The tie was made near present-day [[Garrison, Montana|Garrison]], in the future [[Powell County, Montana]].</ref> of the east–west link of the NP lines, opening the northern part of the nation to commerce and settlement. The local population continued to grow rapidly; by 1887 the territorial legislature had authorized a county and its government had been set into motion. By 1890 the county population had reached 6,900.<ref>[http://www.parkcounty.org/History/ ''History of Park County'']</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|2813|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2803|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|10.4|sqmi}} (0.4%) 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 29, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The highest natural point in Montana, [[Granite Peak (Montana)|Granite Peak]] at {{convert|12,807|ft|m}}, is in Park County. The county attained its present boundaries in 1978, when the former [[Yellowstone National Park (part), Montana|Yellowstone National Park (part)]] [[county-equivalent]] was dissolved and apportioned between Gallatin County and Park County. Gallatin County received {{convert|99.155|sqmi|km2}} of land area and {{convert|0.119|sqmi|km2}} of water area, whereas Park County received {{convert|146.229|sqmi|km2}} of land and {{convert|0.608|sqmi|km2}} of water. The geographies transferred are known as Census Tract 14 in Gallatin County and Census Tract 6 in Park County.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[File:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90 in Montana|Interstate 90]]
* [[File:US 89.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 89 in Montana|U.S. Highway 89]]
* [[File:US 191.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 191#Montana|U.S. Highway 191]]
* [[File:US 212.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 212 in Montana|U.S. Highway 212]]
* [[File:MT-86.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 86]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Jefferson Lines]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Gallatin County, Montana|Gallatin County]] – west
* [[Meagher County, Montana|Meagher County]] – north
* [[Sweet Grass County, Montana|Sweet Grass County]] – east
* [[Stillwater County, Montana|Stillwater County]] – southeast
* [[Carbon County, Montana|Carbon County]] – southeast
* [[Park County, Wyoming]] – south
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Custer National Forest]] (part)
* [[Gallatin National Forest]] (part)
* [[Lewis and Clark National Forest]] (part)
* [[Yellowstone National Park]] (part)
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Voters in Park County tend to support the Republican Party candidate in national elections (79% since 1904).
{{PresHead|place=Park 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|6,128|5,224|365|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,025|5,280|328|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,980|3,595|784|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,709|3,783|276|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,376|4,173|349|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,771|3,199|248|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,523|2,154|729|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,837|2,564|1,047|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,846|2,258|2,378|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,823|2,526|116|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,115|2,387|79|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,929|1,663|603|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,281|2,364|95|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,771|1,923|208|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,063|1,815|462|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,619|2,824|10|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,329|2,249|23|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,733|2,151|0|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,152|1,969|29|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,461|2,222|162|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,396|2,245|36|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,433|2,833|53|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,583|2,968|242|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,895|2,533|181|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,095|1,338|63|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,199|688|1,450|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,537|1,155|328|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,957|2,050|302|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|609|666|932|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,305|952|306|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,408|583|375|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|903|900|79|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|328|1,252|11|Montana}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,192|1,048|153|Montana}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 6881
|1900= 7341
|1910= 10731
|1920= 11330
|1930= 10922
|1940= 11566
|1950= 11999
|1960= 13168
|1970= 11197
|1980= 12869
|1990= 14562
|2000= 15694
|2010= 15636
|2020= 17191
|estyear=2022
|estimate=17790
|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, 2022 |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 29, 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 29, 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 29, 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 29, 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 17,191 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 15,636 people, 7,310 households, and 4,177 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|5.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 9,375 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.3|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were [[German Americans|German]], 17.3% were [[English Americans|English]], 16.2% were [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 10.9% were [[Norwegian Americans|Norwegian]], and 7.4% were [[American ancestry|American]].

Of the 7,310 households, 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.9% were non-families, and 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 45.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,830 and the median income for a family was $50,252. Males had a median income of $36,878 versus $31,062 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,717. About 7.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Livingston, Montana|Livingston]] (county seat)

===Town===
* [[Clyde Park, Montana|Clyde Park]]

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Cooke City, Montana|Cooke City]]
* [[Corwin Springs, Montana|Corwin Springs]]
* [[Emigrant, Montana|Emigrant]]
* [[Gardiner, Montana|Gardiner]]
* [[Jardine, Montana|Jardine]]
* [[Pine Creek, Montana|Pine Creek]]
* [[Pray, Montana|Pray]]
* [[Silver Gate, Montana|Silver Gate]]
* [[South Glastonbury, Montana|South Glastonbury]]
* [[Springdale, Montana|Springdale]]
* [[Wilsall, Montana|Wilsall]]
* [[Wineglass, Montana|Wineglass]]
{{div col end}}

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Brisbin, Montana|Brisbin]]
* Carbella<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carbella,+MT+59027/@45.2077106,-110.9134182,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534fe0ecd9da18a5:0x8b808cbf84967fa8!8m2!3d45.2077115!4d-110.9046634 ''Carbella MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Chadborn<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chadborn,+MT+59047/@45.8116009,-110.5472934,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534575e0a7cfae4f:0xd2ed4900f6fecc6c!8m2!3d45.8116018!4d-110.5385386 ''Chadborn MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Chico, Montana|Chico]]
* Chimney Rock<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chimney+Rock,+MT+59047/@45.5496632,-110.7475801,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x534560390320af17:0x1b05289ff57ff63d!8m2!3d45.5499345!4d-110.7388253 ''Chimney Rock MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Contact<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Contact,+MT+59052/@45.4970046,-110.4255996,10.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x534f79aad5fa1f0f:0x535a099cfc9d57a3!8m2!3d45.5082703!4d-110.2260235 ''Contact MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Grannis<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grannis,+MT+59047/@45.7566012,-110.5050696,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534577c0109472c9:0x293819dde4b7d7eb!8m2!3d45.7566021!4d-110.4963148 ''Grannis MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Hoppers<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hoppers,+MT+59047/@45.6654883,-110.7270242,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534565b817fa710b:0xa4694a05c416463!8m2!3d45.6654892!4d-110.7182694 ''Hoppers MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Hunters Hot Springs<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hunters+Hot+Springs,+MT+59047/@45.7579893,-110.2653391,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x534f79aad5fa1f0f:0x535a099cfc9d57a3!2sContact,+MT+59052!3b1!8m2!3d45.5082703!4d-110.2260235!3m4!1s0x534585690fa1f88f:0x2c272e7b622a7e2d!8m2!3d45.7579425!4d-110.2567291 ''Hunters Hot Springs MT'' Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Independence<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Independence,+MT+59052/@45.0937782,-110.483002,10z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x534fa4f3408e6b3f:0xa74e911f40857dfc!8m2!3d45.212438!4d-110.2463031 ''Independence MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Kotke<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kotke,+MT+59027/@45.3385438,-110.9064738,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534fe52ee424141b:0xffed4a3d2ec67ce!8m2!3d45.3385447!4d-110.897719 ''Kotke MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Miner<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Miner,+MT+59027/@45.1990992,-110.9173072,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534fe08ed64bf899:0xb90b0d310cbe49ba!8m2!3d45.1991001!4d-110.9085524 ''Miner MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* Sphinx<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sphinx,+MT+59027/@45.1710443,-110.8867504,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x534fde47b1b9a0df:0xabc521e1e43c2cbc!8m2!3d45.1710451!4d-110.8779956 ''Sphinx MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* White City<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/White+City,+MT+59065/@45.2820931,-110.7190208,12.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x534febf699690143:0xa8bf6751c49f2aca!8m2!3d45.3038259!4d-110.6863224 ''White City MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Ghost town===
* [[Aldridge, Montana|Aldridge]]

==Education==
[[Gardiner Public Schools]] has two components: Gardiner Elementary School District and Gardiner High School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.opi.mt.gov/SchoolDirectory/frmdirectorydistrictpdf.aspx|title=Directory of Montana Schools|publisher=[[Montana Office of Public Instruction]]|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-10-04|pages=203/317}}</ref>

[[Livingston Public Schools (Montana)|Livingston Public Schools]] has two components: Livingston Elementary School District and Park High School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.opi.mt.gov/SchoolDirectory/frmdirectorydistrictpdf.aspx|title=Directory of Montana Schools|publisher=[[Montana Office of Public Instruction]]|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-10-04|pages=204/317}}</ref>

[[Shields Valley Public Schools]] has two components: Shields Valley Elementary School District and Shields Valley High School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.opi.mt.gov/SchoolDirectory/frmdirectorydistrictpdf.aspx|title=Directory of Montana Schools|publisher=[[Montana Office of Public Instruction]]|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-10-04|pages=206/317}}</ref>

High school districts:<ref name=SDMaps2020Census>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30067_park/DC20SD_C30067.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Park County, MT|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30067_park/DC20SD_C30067_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* Gardiner High School District
* Park High School District
* Shields Valley High School District

Elementary school districts:
* [[Arrowhead Elementary School District]]
* [[Cooke City Elementary School District]]
* Gardiner Elementary School District
* Livingston Elementary School District
* [[Pine Creek Elementary School District]]
* Shields Valley Elementary School District

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

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

;General
* [https://www.census.gov Census Tract 14, Gallatin County; Census Tract 6, Park County] US Census Bureau

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Park County, Montana
|North  = [[Meagher County, Montana|Meagher County]]
|East   = [[Sweet Grass County, Montana|Sweet Grass County]], [[Stillwater County, Montana|Stillwater County]], and [[Carbon County, Montana|Carbon County]]
|South  = [[Park County, Wyoming]]
|West   = [[Gallatin County, Montana|Gallatin County]]
}}

{{Park County, Montana}}
{{Montana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.50|-110.52|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MT_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Park County, Montana| ]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in Montana Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1887]]