Editing Silver Bow County, Montana

{{Short description|County in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Silver Bow County
 | state                = Montana
 | type                 = [[Consolidated city-county]]
 | official_name        = Butte-Silver Bow County
 | ex image             = Mansfield Fed Courthouse.JPG
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[Mike Mansfield Federal Building and United States Courthouse]] in [[Butte, Montana|Butte]].
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = February 16
 | founded year         = 1881
 | seat wl              = Butte
 | largest city wl      = Butte
 | leader_title         = [[Chief Executive]]
 | leader_name          = J.P. Gallagher
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 719
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 718
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.6
 | area percentage      = 0.08
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 35133
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 36068 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | web                  = co.silverbow.mt.us
 | district             = 1st
 | footnotes            = 
* Montana county number 01
* Unigov with [[Butte, Montana|Butte, MT]]
 | named for            = [[Silver Bow Creek]]
}}

'''Silver Bow 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 35,133.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/silverbowcountymontana/PST045222 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Butte, Montana|Butte]].<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> In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the single entity of '''Butte-Silver Bow'''. Additionally, the town of [[Walkerville, Montana|Walkerville]] is a separate municipality from Butte and is within the county.

Silver Bow County comprises the Butte-Silver Bow, MT [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|719|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|718|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi}} (0.08%) 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 30, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is Montana's smallest county by area.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Image:I-15.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 15 in Montana|Interstate 15]]
* [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90 in Montana|Interstate 90]]
* [[Image:I-115.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 115]]
* [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 10]] (Former)
* [[Image:US 91.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 91#Montana|U.S. Highway 91]] (Former)
* [[Image:MT-2.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 2]]
* [[Image:MT-41.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 41]]
* [[Image:MT-43.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 43]]
* [[Image:MT-55.svg|20px]] [[Montana Highway 55]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Jefferson Lines]]
*[[Salt Lake Express]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]] - northwest
* [[Jefferson County, Montana|Jefferson County]] - east
* [[Madison County, Montana|Madison County]] - south
* [[Beaverhead County, Montana|Beaverhead County]] - southwest

===National protected areas===
[[Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 23744
|1900= 47635
|1910= 56848
|1920= 60313
|1930= 56969
|1940= 53209
|1950= 48422
|1960= 46454
|1970= 41981
|1980= 38092
|1990= 33941
|2000= 34606
|2010= 34200
|2020= 35133
|estyear=2022
|estimate=36068
|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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 35,133 people living in the county.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 34,200 people, 14,932 households, and 8,651 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|47.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 16,717 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23.3|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.4% white, 1.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.6% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 23.3% were [[Germans|German]], 16.1% were [[English people|English]], 8.3% were [[Italians|Italian]], 6.9% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], and 3.2% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 14,932 households, 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.1% were non-families, and 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 41.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,986 and the median income for a family was $52,288. Males had a median income of $41,491 versus $28,132 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,357. About 11.6% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and politics==
Since 1977, Butte and Silver Bow County have been consolidated into one governmental body under the leadership of the [[Chief executive (head of government)|chief executive]] and the council of commissioners. Elected in November 2020, J.P. Gallagher is the incumbent Chief Executive of Butte-Silver Bow, a [[Nonpartisanism|nonpartisan]] office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chief Executive |url=https://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/127/Chief-Executive |access-date=July 3, 2023 |publisher=The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow}}</ref>

A Democratic bastion, Silver Bow County is, along with neighboring [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]], one of the two most consistently Democratic-voting counties in Montana in presidential elections, having last voted Republican in 1956 for [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]. In 2024, [[Donald Trump]], though still losing the county, became the first Republican to get within ten percent of carrying it since the aforementioned 1956 election.

Over the last century, Silver Bow County has voted only once for a Republican gubernatorial candidate ([[Marc Racicot]] during the [[1996 Montana gubernatorial election|1996 election]]).<ref name="DL">{{Cite web |last=David Leip |title=Presidential Atlas |url=http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/comparemaps.php?year=2008&fips=30&f=1&off=0&elect=0 |access-date=April 2, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref> Silver Bow County has not supported any Republican at all for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] since at least 1928.<ref name=DL/>

Silver Bow County is in [[Montana Senate]] districts 36 (represented by Republican [[Jeffrey Welborn]]), 37 (represented by Democrat [[Ryan Lynch (politician)|Ryan Lynch]]), 38 (represented by Democrat [[Edith McClafferty]]), and 39 (represented by Republican [[Terry Vermeire]]). In the [[Montana House of Representatives]], the county is in districts 71 (represented by Republican [[Kenneth Walsh (politician)|Kenneth Walsh]]), 72 (represented by Republican [[Tom Welch (politician)|Tom Welch]]), 73 (represented by Democrat [[Jennifer Lynch (politician)|Jennifer Lynch]]), 74 (represented by Democrat [[Derek J. Harvey]]), 76 (represented by Democrat [[Donavon Hawk]]), and 78 (represented by Republican [[Gregory Frazer]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montana Legislature Information- 68th Session 2023 Regular |url=https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-information/?session_select=120 |access-date=July 3, 2023 |publisher=Montana Legislature}}</ref>

From 2024 to 2032, Silver Bow County will be in State Senate districts 35, 36, and 37, as well as State House of Representatives districts 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74. Two of the three Senate districts are expected to be favorable to Democrats as well as four of the five House districts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimbel-Sannit |first=Arren |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Explaining the why and the where of Montana's new legislative districts |url=https://montanafreepress.org/2023/02/13/montana-redistricting-commission-finalizes-new-house-senate-maps/ |publisher=Montana Free Press}}</ref>
{{PresHead|place=Silver Bow County, Montana|source=<ref name=DL/>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|8,110|9,386|730|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|7,745|10,392|659|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|6,376|8,619|1,457|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|5,430|10,857|469|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|4,818|11,676|548|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|6,381|9,307|396|Montana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|6,299|8,967|1,437|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,909|11,199|2,569|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,491|9,960|4,695|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|5,043|11,422|222|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|6,637|11,095|278|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|7,301|9,721|2,355|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,506|11,377|227|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|7,967|11,704|733|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|5,488|12,626|1,503|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,873|15,751|615|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|7,290|13,754|146|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|11,619|11,475|0|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|10,196|13,114|148|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|7,305|12,715|1,315|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|7,610|13,228|202|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|7,932|17,467|335|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,528|17,697|398|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|6,792|13,626|1,416|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|9,456|11,228|419|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|6,520|5,393|6,901|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|10,074|6,394|1,730|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|6,757|13,084|1,706|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,232|4,542|5,122|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|4,618|6,255|2,783|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|5,149|5,686|3,439|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|3,873|12,101|336|Montana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,275|9,992|29|Montana}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|3,251|2,648|2,527|Montana}}

==Communities==
[[File:Rhodochrosite-227658.jpg|thumb|[[Rhodochrosite]] from the old Emma Mine in the Butte Mining District]]

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

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

{{anchor|County-serviced communities}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Divide, Montana|Divide]]
* High View<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Highview,+Butte,+MT+59701/@45.9207589,-112.4346024,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x535a3f36d0ef3cd1:0xe4197b3879a8677e!2sSilver+Bow+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.8804293!4d-112.5843056!3m4!1s0x535b06d0e28420f1:0x729ddc211f6a401f!8m2!3d45.920759!4d-112.4258476 ''High View MT'' Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Melrose, Montana|Melrose]]
* [[Ramsay, Montana|Ramsay]]
* [[Rocker, Montana|Rocker]]
* [[Silver Bow, Montana|Silver Bow]]
* Williamsburg<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Williamsburg,+MT+59701/@45.9898359,-112.5533403,14z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x535a3f36d0ef3cd1:0xe4197b3879a8677e!2sSilver+Bow+County,+MT!3b1!8m2!3d45.8804293!4d-112.5843056!3m4!1s0x535ba789edab804b:0xaeb6ac735c61ab04!8m2!3d45.9918932!4d-112.5572491 ''Williamsburg MT'' Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Education==
[[Butte Public Schools]] has two components: Butte Elementary School District and Butte 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=2024-03-13|pages=264–265/317}}</ref>  [[Whitehall Public Schools]] has two components: Whitehall Elementary School District and Whitehall 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=2024-03-13|pages=143/317}}</ref>

The consolidated city-county is covered by multiple school districts. High school districts include Butte High School District and Whitehall High School District. There are five elementary school districts: Butte Elementary School District, [[Divide Elementary School District]], [[Melrose Elementary School District]], [[Ramsay Elementary School District]], and Whitehall Elementary School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30093_silver_bow/DC20SD_C30093.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Silver Bow County, MT|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30093_silver_bow/DC20SD_C30093_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

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

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

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/ Official website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Silver Bow County, Montana
|North     =
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Jefferson County, Montana|Jefferson County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Madison County, Montana|Madison County]]
|Southwest = [[Beaverhead County, Montana|Beaverhead County]]
|West      =
|Northwest = [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]]
}}

{{Silver Bow County, Montana}}
{{Montana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.90|-112.66|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MT_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Silver Bow County, Montana| ]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Montana Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1881]]
[[Category:Consolidated city-counties]]