Broadwater County, Montana

Last updated

Broadwater County
County
Broadwater county courthouse.jpg
The Broadwater County Courthouse in Townsend
Map of Montana highlighting Broadwater County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana in United States.svg
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°20′N111°30′W / 46.33°N 111.5°W / 46.33; -111.5
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Montana.svg Montana
Founded1897
Named after Charles Arthur Broadwater
Seat Townsend
Largest cityTownsend
Area
 • Total
1,239 sq mi (3,210 km2)
 • Land1,193 sq mi (3,090 km2)
 • Water46 sq mi (120 km2)  3.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,774
 • Estimate 
(2024)
8,302 Increase2.svg
 • Density5.5/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website www.broadwatercountymt.com
  • Montana county number 43

Broadwater County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,774. [1] Its county seat is Townsend. [2] The county was named for Charles Arthur Broadwater, a noted Montana railroad, real estate, and banking magnate. [3]

Contents

History

"The Silos" are a major Broadwater County landmark Townsend silos.jpg
"The Silos" are a major Broadwater County landmark

The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through what is now Broadwater County as they traced the Missouri River. Gold was discovered in the Big Belt Mountains in 1864 which brought several mining towns. In 1881 the Northern Pacific Railway included a stop in what is now Townsend. [4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,239 square miles (3,210 km2), of which 1,193 square miles (3,090 km2) is land and 46 square miles (120 km2) (3.7%) is water. [5]

The boundaries of the county are roughly formed by the Big Belt Mountains to the east and north, the Elkhorn Mountains to the west, and the Horseshoe Hills to the south.

Broadwater County is perhaps best known as the home of Canyon Ferry Lake, the third largest body of water in Montana. The lake provides essential irrigation to local farms, and serves as a recreation destination for the region, with fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. [6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Politics

United States presidential election results for Broadwater County, Montana [7]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1904 39244.90%40346.16%788.93%
1908 32637.86%49557.49%404.65%
1912 20521.97%45148.34%27729.69%
1916 58433.45%1,10063.00%623.55%
1920 72351.50%62244.30%594.20%
1924 53137.71%48634.52%39127.77%
1928 74352.51%66346.86%90.64%
1932 51233.71%98865.04%191.25%
1936 50231.43%1,07167.06%241.50%
1940 75546.81%85452.94%40.25%
1944 76057.45%55842.18%50.38%
1948 70455.61%53642.34%262.05%
1952 96268.86%43531.14%00.00%
1956 86965.93%44934.07%00.00%
1960 68051.87%63148.13%00.00%
1964 60950.58%59549.42%00.00%
1968 67154.29%43935.52%12610.19%
1972 91666.57%41129.87%493.56%
1976 82059.04%55740.10%120.86%
1980 1,05267.26%40125.64%1117.10%
1984 1,34573.50%45825.03%271.48%
1988 1,05462.63%59235.18%372.20%
1992 83045.06%49126.66%52128.28%
1996 1,02952.34%60330.67%33416.99%
2000 1,48871.75%46222.28%1245.98%
2004 1,77875.47%53322.62%451.91%
2008 1,87566.80%85730.53%752.67%
2012 2,15271.47%76425.37%953.16%
2016 2,34874.94%57318.29%2126.77%
2020 3,17377.45%83520.38%892.17%
2024 3,77078.38%88518.40%1553.22%

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900 2,641—
1910 3,49132.2%
1920 3,239−7.2%
1930 2,738−15.5%
1940 3,45126.0%
1950 2,922−15.3%
1960 2,804−4.0%
1970 2,526−9.9%
1980 3,26729.3%
1990 3,3181.6%
2000 4,38532.2%
2010 5,61228.0%
2020 6,77420.7%
2024 (est.)8,302 [8] 22.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]
1790–1960, [10] 1900–1990, [11]
1990–2000, [12] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 6,774 people living in the county.[ citation needed ]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 5,612 people, 2,347 households, and 1,614 families living in the county. The population density was 4.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.8/km2). There were 2,695 housing units at an average density of 2.3 units per square mile (0.89 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 38.7% were German, 16.2% were English, 15.5% were Irish, 7.9% were Norwegian, 6.4% were Scottish, and 2.3% were American.

Of the 2,347 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,667 and the median income for a family was $46,949. Males had a median income of $34,500 versus $32,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,606. About 5.8% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Broadwater County. RY Timber and Wheat Montana Bakery were the largest private employers according to the 2000 Census. [6]

Communities

Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Big Belt Mountains near Townsend Big Belts and Canyon Ferry.jpg
Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the Big Belt Mountains near Townsend

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Education

There are three school districts: [18]

The elementary and high school district are both a part of Three Forks Public Schools. [19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. p. 7. ISBN   1-56044-493-2.
  4. ↑ Broadwater County Planning Board (July 2003). "Broadwater County Growth Policy Plan". Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  6. 1 2 State of Montana (2006). "Demographic & economic information for Broadwater County". Internet Archive. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ Canton, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  14. ↑ Copper City, Broadhead County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  15. ↑ Diamond City, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  16. ↑ Eustis, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  17. ↑ Holker, Broadwater County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  18. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Broadwater County, MT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 4, 2024. - Text list
  19. ↑ "Directory of Montana Schools". Montana Office of Public Instruction. March 13, 2024. p. 109/317. Retrieved March 13, 2024.

46°20′N111°30′W / 46.33°N 111.50°W / 46.33; -111.50

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