Editing Powder River County, Montana

{{Short description|County in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Powder River County
 | state                = Montana
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = March 17
 | founded year         = 1919<ref>{{Cite web |title=Powder River County, Montana |url=http://www.prco.mt.gov/aboutus/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614031126/http://prco.mt.gov/aboutus/ |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2018 |website=www.prco.mt.gov}}</ref>
 | seat wl              = Broadus
 | largest city wl      = Broadus
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 3298
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 3297
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.6
 | area percentage      = 0.02
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 1694
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 1725 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | web                  = www.prco.mt.gov
 | ex image             = Broadus MT Powder River County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Powder River Courthouse in Broadus
 | district             = 2nd
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | named for            = [[Powder River (Montana)|Powder River]]
 | footnotes            = 
* Montana county number 09
}}

'''Powder River County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 1,694.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/powderrivercountymontana/PST045222 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Broadus, Montana|Broadus]].<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>

==History==
Powder River County's area was probably first entered by Europeans when French trappers worked its streams in the early 1800s. In 1865 the federal government sent soldiers ([[Powder River Expedition (1865)|Powder River Expedition]]) to the [[Powder River country]] to combat Native Americans from the [[Cheyenne people|Cheyenne]], [[Lakota people|Lakota Sioux]], and [[Arapaho people|Arapaho]] tribes. September 1865 saw several skirmishes ([[Powder River Battles (1865)|Powder River Battles]]) near present-day Broadus.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wagner |first=David E. |title=Powder River Odyssey: Nelson Cole's Western Campaign of 1865, The Journals of Lyman G. Bennett and Other Eyewitness Accounts |date=2009 |publisher=Arthur H. Clark Co.}}</ref> On March 17, 1876, the [[Battle of Powder River]] occurred in the south-central part of the county, about {{convert|34|mi|km}} southwest of Broadus.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaughn |first=J.W. |title=The Reynolds Campaign on Powder River |date=1961 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press}}</ref>

Powderville was the area's first established settlement; it began operating on November 1, 1878, as the Powder River Telegraph Station on a line connecting [[Fort Keogh]] to [[Deadwood, South Dakota]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Powderville: A Personal History}}</ref> On April 5, 1879, the [[Mizpah Creek Incidents]] began near the Powderville telegraph station.

[[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]] was organized in early 1877, consisting of most of SE Montana Territory. In February 1900, the Broadus Post Office opened. In October 1918 the first edition of the area's first newspaper<ref>The Broadus Independent, now called [[Powder River Examiner]].</ref> appeared. On March 17, 1919, Powder River County was formed from southern Custer County. In a 1920 election, Broadus was chosen as the county seat.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|3298|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|3297|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi}} (0.02%) 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=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 212.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 212#Montana and Wyoming|U.S. Highway 212]]
* [[Image:MT-59.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 59]]

===Transit===
Powder River County Transit provides [[Demand-responsive transport|demand-response]] services throughout the county.

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]] - north
* [[Carter County, Montana|Carter County]] - east
* [[Crook County, Wyoming]] - southeast
* [[Campbell County, Wyoming]] - south
* [[Sheridan County, Wyoming]] - southwest
* [[Big Horn County, Montana|Big Horn County]] - west
* [[Rosebud County, Montana|Rosebud County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===National protected area===
* [[Custer National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 3357
|1930= 3909
|1940= 3159
|1950= 2693
|1960= 2485
|1970= 2862
|1980= 2520
|1990= 2090
|2000= 1858
|2010= 1743
|2020= 1694
|estyear=2022
|estimate=1725
|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 8, 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 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 1,694 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 1,743 people, 755 households, and 505 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|0.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 1,022 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.3|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.0% white, 1.5% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 1.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 34.6% were [[Germans|German]], 31.0% were [[Americans|American]], 15.1% were [[English people|English]], 14.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 8.6% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]].

Of the 755 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 49.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,685 and the median income for a family was $50,156. Males had a median income of $27,721 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,543. About 11.6% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
Powder River County is heavily Republican; it has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1940.
{{PresHead|place=Powder River 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 3, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|963|131|12|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|970|154|12|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|884|127|42|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|833|170|24|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|802|208|28|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|856|154|19|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|860|115|33|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|663|236|146|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|547|258|351|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|815|395|22|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,066|346|17|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|985|336|122|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|683|429|123|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|844|267|106|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|699|258|119|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|649|449|1|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|665|438|2|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|700|456|0|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|888|327|7|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|784|480|39|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|650|476|11|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|633|561|18|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|545|758|46|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|515|875|60|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|780|410|9|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|480|123|383|Montana}}
{{PresFoot|1920|Republican|955|330|55|Montana}}

==Communities==
===Town===
* [[Broadus, Montana|Broadus]] (county seat)

===Census-designated place===
* [[Biddle, Montana|Biddle]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* Bay Horse<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bay+Horse,+MT+59314/@45.0433178,-105.5757003,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x53314bb91b1c1c69:0xdab1c25b17eddee4!2sPowder+River+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.2968361!4d-105.5346557!3m4!1s0x5333f8c27f3dddcf:0x1a5f0d0f91fe9253!8m2!3d45.0432058!4d-105.5669403 ''Bay Horse MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Belle Creek, Montana|Belle Creek]]
* Cameron Crossing<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cameron+Crossing,+MT+59351/@45.7616661,-105.8340275,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x53314bb91b1c1c69:0xdab1c25b17eddee4!2sPowder+River+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.2968361!4d-105.5346557!3m4!1s0x5330d70b098922cb:0x70e51f38362cf2fe!8m2!3d45.7617749!4d-105.825119 ''Cameron Crossing MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Coalwood, Montana|Coalwood]]
* [[Powderville, Montana|Elkhorn Crossing]]
* [[Epsie, Montana|Epsie]]
* [[Moorhead, Montana|Moorhead]]
* [[Olive, Montana|Olive]]
* [[Otter, Montana|Otter]]
* [[Powderville, Montana|Powderville]]
* Sayle<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sayle,+MT+59062/@45.2269339,-106.0043204,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x53314bb91b1c1c69:0xdab1c25b17eddee4!2sPowder+River+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.2968361!4d-105.5346557!3m4!1s0x5336a4b607efe64d:0x2d1b96abd3863dff!8m2!3d45.2270298!4d-105.9954071 ''Sayle MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Sonnette, Montana|Sonnette]]
* Willow Crossing<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Willow+Crossing,+MT+59003/@45.5272202,-106.1962668,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x53314bb91b1c1c69:0xdab1c25b17eddee4!2sPowder+River+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.2968361!4d-105.5346557!3m4!1s0x5336db5c0729ba71:0x7d59d092968a7e32!8m2!3d45.5272762!4d-106.1876678 ''Willow Crossing MT''  Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
* [[Jess Lockwood (bull rider)|Jess Lockwood]], 2017 and 2019 [[Professional Bull Riders|PBR]] World champion
* [[Lee Randall]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Montana House of Representatives]] (2009–2017)
* Ronnie Rossen, World Champion PRCA Bull rider (1961, 1966)
* Jason Evans, six-time National Steer Roping Finals qualifier
* Steve Held, professional actor, rancher, and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate for [[Montana's 2nd congressional district]] in the [[2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana|2024 U.S. House of Representatives election in Montana]]

==See also==
* [[Fort Howes]]
* [[List of lakes in Powder River County, Montana]]
* [[List of mountains in Powder River County, Montana]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Montana#Powder River County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Powder River County MT]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Powder River County, Montana
|North     = [[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]]
|East      = [[Carter County, Montana|Carter County]]
|Southeast = [[Crook County, Wyoming]]
|South     = [[Campbell County, Wyoming]]
|Southwest = [[Sheridan County, Wyoming]]
|West      = [[Big Horn County, Montana|Big Horn County]]
|Northwest = [[Rosebud County, Montana|Rosebud County]]
}}

{{Powder River County, Montana}}
{{Montana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.38|-105.64|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MT_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Powder River County, Montana| ]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Montana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1919]]