Chouteau County | |
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Chouteau County Courthouse in Fort Benton | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Montana | |
![]() Montana's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 47°53′N110°26′W / 47.88°N 110.44°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1865 |
Named for | Pierre Chouteau Jr. |
Seat | Fort Benton |
Largest city | Fort Benton |
Area | |
• Total | 3,997 sq mi (10,350 km2) |
• Land | 3,972 sq mi (10,290 km2) |
• Water | 24 sq mi (60 km2) 0.6% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,895 |
• Estimate (2022) | 5,898 ![]() |
• Density | 1.5/sq mi (0.57/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Website | www |
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Chouteau County is a county located in the North-Central region of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,895. [1] Its county seat is Fort Benton. [2] The county was established in 1865 as one of the original nine counties of Montana, and named in 1882 after Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader who established a trading post that became Fort Benton, which was once an important port on the Missouri River.
Chouteau County is home to the Chippewa-Cree tribe on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. It contains part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,997 square miles (10,350 km2), of which 3,972 square miles (10,290 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (0.6%) is water. [3]
Chouteau County was once the largest county in the Montana Territory and the second largest in the United States, with an area of 15,439 square miles (39,990 km2) in the early 20th century. However, some parts of the county were over 250 miles (400 km) from Fort Benton, and in 1893, the first of several divisions began with the creation of Teton County, the western portion of Chouteau County. Chouteau County lost half of its population from 1910 to 1930.
The land is mostly rolling prairie, hence the high density of wheat farming. However, there is notable topography, namely some of Montana's forested island ranges. The Bear Paw Mountains rise in the northeast and the Little Rockies and the Highwood Ranges are in the southeast. Major rivers include the Teton River, Marias River, Missouri River and Arrow Creek.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 1,891 | 63.78% | 991 | 33.42% | 83 | 2.80% |
2016 | 1,679 | 64.50% | 732 | 28.12% | 192 | 7.38% |
2012 | 1,758 | 62.32% | 978 | 34.67% | 85 | 3.01% |
2008 | 1,634 | 57.11% | 1,122 | 39.22% | 105 | 3.67% |
2004 | 1,913 | 65.49% | 946 | 32.39% | 62 | 2.12% |
2000 | 2,039 | 70.68% | 686 | 23.78% | 160 | 5.55% |
1996 | 1,660 | 52.58% | 1,039 | 32.91% | 458 | 14.51% |
1992 | 1,380 | 42.65% | 959 | 29.64% | 897 | 27.72% |
1988 | 1,980 | 61.51% | 1,166 | 36.22% | 73 | 2.27% |
1984 | 2,425 | 72.17% | 896 | 26.67% | 39 | 1.16% |
1980 | 2,448 | 68.32% | 853 | 23.81% | 282 | 7.87% |
1976 | 1,814 | 52.35% | 1,568 | 45.25% | 83 | 2.40% |
1972 | 2,027 | 59.64% | 1,149 | 33.80% | 223 | 6.56% |
1968 | 1,695 | 53.66% | 1,216 | 38.49% | 248 | 7.85% |
1964 | 1,444 | 44.08% | 1,827 | 55.77% | 5 | 0.15% |
1960 | 1,672 | 49.34% | 1,708 | 50.40% | 9 | 0.27% |
1956 | 1,721 | 48.96% | 1,794 | 51.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 2,098 | 59.35% | 1,423 | 40.25% | 14 | 0.40% |
1948 | 1,181 | 37.64% | 1,832 | 58.38% | 125 | 3.98% |
1944 | 1,220 | 38.69% | 1,906 | 60.45% | 27 | 0.86% |
1940 | 1,235 | 35.54% | 2,213 | 63.68% | 27 | 0.78% |
1936 | 878 | 24.01% | 2,734 | 74.76% | 45 | 1.23% |
1932 | 1,232 | 35.43% | 2,093 | 60.20% | 152 | 4.37% |
1928 | 1,837 | 59.14% | 1,232 | 39.67% | 37 | 1.19% |
1924 | 1,347 | 46.15% | 706 | 24.19% | 866 | 29.67% |
1920 | 2,646 | 60.86% | 1,436 | 33.03% | 266 | 6.12% |
1916 | 1,486 | 33.62% | 2,738 | 61.95% | 196 | 4.43% |
1912 | 561 | 41.43% | 402 | 29.69% | 391 | 28.88% |
1908 | 1,220 | 54.73% | 893 | 40.06% | 116 | 5.20% |
1904 | 1,517 | 70.62% | 568 | 26.44% | 63 | 2.93% |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 517 | — | |
1880 | 3,068 | 493.4% | |
1890 | 4,741 | 54.5% | |
1900 | 10,966 | 131.3% | |
1910 | 17,191 | 56.8% | |
1920 | 11,051 | −35.7% | |
1930 | 8,635 | −21.9% | |
1940 | 7,316 | −15.3% | |
1950 | 6,974 | −4.7% | |
1960 | 7,348 | 5.4% | |
1970 | 6,473 | −11.9% | |
1980 | 6,092 | −5.9% | |
1990 | 5,452 | −10.5% | |
2000 | 5,970 | 9.5% | |
2010 | 5,813 | −2.6% | |
2020 | 5,895 | 1.4% | |
2022 (est.) | 5,898 | [5] | 0.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8] 1990–2000 [9] 2010–2020 [1] |
The United States Census Bureau, for population data analyses of unorganized rural areas, the following Census-designated places, or CDPs, in addition to the organized communities listed elsewhere in this article.
As of the 2020 census, there were 5,895 people living in the county.[ citation needed ]
As of the 2010 census, there were 5,813 people, 2,294 households, and 1,560 families living in the county. The population density was 1.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.58/km2). There were 2,879 housing units at an average density of 0.7 units per square mile (0.27 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.8% white, 21.8% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.6% were German, 13.0% were Irish, 11.2% were English, 9.8% were Norwegian, and 2.0% were American.
Of the 2,294 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 41.5 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,064 and the median income for a family was $50,201. Males had a median income of $33,866 versus $25,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,202. About 14.8% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
Chouteau County is the state's largest winter wheat producer. [10] It is located in the heart of the "Golden Triangle", which produces about 45% of Montana's annual wheat crop. [11]
Hill County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,309. Its county seat is Havre. It lies along the United States border with Canada, abutting Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Toole County is a county in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,971. Its county seat is Shelby. The county was established in 1914 from parts of Hill County and Teton County and was named after Joseph Toole, the first and fourth governor of Montana. Its northern boundary is the Canada–United States border south of Alberta.
Teton County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,226. Its county seat is Choteau. The county was founded in 1893.
Stillwater County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,963. Its county seat is Columbus.
Richland County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,491. Its county seat is Sidney.
Pondera County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,898. Its county seat is Conrad.
Phillips County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,217. Its county seat is Malta. Before February 5, 1915, Phillips County was part of Blaine County, and before 1912 both were part of Chouteau County. It was named for rancher and state senator Benjamin D. Phillips.
Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,535. Its county seat is Superior.
Meagher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,927. Its county seat is White Sulphur Springs.
Madison County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,623. Its county seat is Virginia City. The county was founded in 1865; at the time it was part of the Montana Territory.
Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,959. Its county seat is Chester. The decision to separate the future Liberty County area from the previous Hill and Chouteau counties was carried in a 1919 vote; the organization was authorized to commence in the following February.
Lewis and Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 70,973. Its county seat is Helena, the state capital. The numerical designation for Lewis and Clark County is 5. The county was established on June 2, 1865, as one of the nine original counties of the Territory of Montana named Edgerton County in honor of Sidney Edgerton, first Governor of the Territory of Montana, and was renamed Lewis and Clark County on March 1, 1868, in honor of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Lake County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,134. Its county seat is Polson.
Judith Basin County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,023. Its county seat is the town of Stanford.
Jefferson County is a county in Montana, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,085. Its county seat is Boulder. The county was created in 1865 and named for President Thomas Jefferson.
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,173. Its county seat is Jordan.
Daniels County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,661. Its county seat is Scobey. It is on Montana's north border, and thus abuts the Canada–US border with Saskatchewan.
Cascade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 84,414, making it the fifth-most populous county in Montana. Its county seat is Great Falls.
Blaine County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,044. Its county seat is Chinook. The county was named for James G. Blaine, former United States Secretary of State. It is on the north line of the state, and thus shares the southern border of Canada opposite Saskatchewan.
Fort Benton is a city in and the county seat of Chouteau County, Montana, United States. Established in 1846, Fort Benton is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in Montana. Fort Benton was the most upstream navigable port on the Mississippi River System, and is considered "the world’s innermost port".