Stillwater County, Montana

Stillwater County, Montana
Stillwater County Courthouse in Columbus
Location in the state of Montana
Montana's location in the U.S.
Founded	1913
Seat	Columbus
Largest city	Columbus
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,805 sq mi (4,675 km²) 1,795 sq mi (4,649 km²) 10 sq mi (26 km²), 0.53%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	9,117 5/sq mi (2/km²)
Website	www.stillwater.mt.gov

Mouat chromite mine and mill, 1942

Stillwater County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of 2010, the population was at 9,117 Its county seat is Columbus.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,805 square miles (4,674 km²), of which, 1,795 square miles (4,649 km²) of it is land and 10 square miles (25 km²) of it (0.53%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• U.S. Highway 10 (Former)
• ‎ Montana Highway 78

Adjacent counties

• Golden Valley County - north
• Yellowstone County - east
• Carbon County - south
• Park County - southwest
• Sweet Grass County - west

National protected areas

• Custer National Forest (part)
• Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge
• Halfbreed Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	7,630		—
1930	6,253		−18.0%
1940	5,694		−8.9%
1950	5,416		−4.9%
1960	5,526		2.0%
1970	4,632		−16.2%
1980	5,598		20.9%
1990	6,536		16.8%
2000	8,195		25.4%
2010	9,117		11.3%

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,195 people, 3,234 households, and 2,347 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 3,947 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.82% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 2.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.7% were of German, 11.8% Norwegian, 10.8% English, 10.6% Irish and 6.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,234 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% were married couples living together, 5.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 27.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,205, and the median income for a family was $45,238. Males had a median income of $32,148 versus $19,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,468. About 6.20% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Town

• Columbus

Census-designated places

• Absarokee
• Park City
• Reed Point

Other communities

• Fishtail
• Nye
• Molt
• Rapelje

See also

• List of cemeteries in Stillwater County, Montana
• List of lakes in Stillwater County, Montana
• List of mountains in Stillwater County, Montana
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Stillwater County, Montana
• Stillwater Mining Company