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Big Horn County, Montana

Coordinates: 45°26′N 107°29′W / 45.43°N 107.49°W / 45.43; -107.49
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Big Horn County, Montana
County
Hotel Becker in Hardin, Montana
Hotel Becker in Hardin, Montana
Map of Montana highlighting Big Horn County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Coordinates: 45°26′N 107°29′W / 45.43°N 107.49°W / 45.43; -107.49
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedJanuary 13, 1913
Named afterBighorn sheep
SeatHardin
Largest cityHardin
Area
 • Total
5,015 sq mi (12,990 km2)
 • Land4,995 sq mi (12,940 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (49 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,124
 • Estimate 
(2024)
12,796 Decrease
 • Density2.627/sq mi (1.014/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.bighorncountymt.gov
  • Montana county number 22

Big Horn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,124.[1] The county seat is Hardin.[2] The county, like the river and the mountain range, is named after the bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains.[3] The county was founded in 1913.[4]

It is located on the southern boundary of the state. Most of the area is part of the Crow Indian Reservation. Reservation poverty affects the county, which is the second-poorest county in the state.

History

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On June 25, 1876, the Battle of Little Bighorn began. The Battle is also known as the Battle of the Greasy Grass to the Lakota and other Plains Indians.

Law and government

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The county has several jurisdictions, each with its own regulations and law enforcement agencies. The Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Nations are administered by the tribes. Little Bighorn Battlefield and the Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area are regulated by the National Park Service. The remainder of the county falls under the State of Montana.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,015 square miles (12,990 km2), of which 4,995 square miles (12,940 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (0.4%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-largest county in Montana by land area. Most of the county's land area is Indian reservations: The Crow Indian Reservation covers 64.2 percent of its area, while the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation covers another 6.37 percent.

The county is home to the Big Horn, Pryor and Wolf mountain ranges.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Climate

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According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Big Horn County has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[6]

Politics

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Big Horn County is generally Democratic, owing largely to its majority Native American population. It is distinguished from most other counties in rural Montana, which often lean heavily Republican. In 2024, Donald Trump carried the county by a narrow plurality, the first time a Republican won the county since Reagan in 1980.

United States presidential election results for Big Horn County, Montana[7]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1916 497 39.63% 740 59.01% 17 1.36%
1920 1,062 66.17% 475 29.60% 68 4.24%
1924 1,082 57.74% 327 17.45% 465 24.81%
1928 1,274 55.46% 1,017 44.28% 6 0.26%
1932 957 36.42% 1,637 62.29% 34 1.29%
1936 1,087 34.12% 2,037 63.94% 62 1.95%
1940 1,616 45.39% 1,926 54.10% 18 0.51%
1944 1,394 51.73% 1,289 47.83% 12 0.45%
1948 1,334 49.37% 1,328 49.15% 40 1.48%
1952 2,165 65.91% 1,114 33.91% 6 0.18%
1956 1,739 56.44% 1,342 43.56% 0 0.00%
1960 1,724 53.47% 1,497 46.43% 3 0.09%
1964 1,481 37.09% 2,509 62.83% 3 0.08%
1968 1,789 53.87% 1,319 39.72% 213 6.41%
1972 2,148 56.17% 1,552 40.59% 124 3.24%
1976 1,615 44.49% 1,962 54.05% 53 1.46%
1980 1,730 46.32% 1,644 44.02% 361 9.67%
1984 2,390 46.77% 2,681 52.47% 39 0.76%
1988 1,711 42.95% 2,233 56.05% 40 1.00%
1992 1,377 31.34% 2,154 49.02% 863 19.64%
1996 1,336 31.52% 2,453 57.87% 450 10.62%
2000 1,651 39.68% 2,345 56.36% 165 3.97%
2004 2,028 47.04% 2,215 51.38% 68 1.58%
2008 1,628 31.19% 3,516 67.37% 75 1.44%
2012 1,667 36.04% 2,882 62.30% 77 1.66%
2016 1,853 43.73% 2,094 49.42% 290 6.84%
2020 2,207 46.10% 2,491 52.04% 89 1.86%
2024 2,188 48.95% 2,112 47.25% 170 3.80%

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19207,015—
19308,54321.8%
194010,41922.0%
19509,824−5.7%
196010,0071.9%
197010,0570.5%
198011,09610.3%
199011,3372.2%
200012,67111.8%
201012,8651.5%
202013,1242.0%
2024 (est.)12,796[8]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960,[10] 1900–1990,[11]
1990–2000,[12] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,124. Of the residents, 33.4% were under the age of 18 and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 31.5 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.6 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13][14]

The racial makeup of the county was 26.8% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.9% of the population.[15]

There were 3,927 households in the county, of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 29.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

There were 4,522 housing units, of which 13.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.6% were owner-occupied and 35.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%.[14]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 12,865 people, 4,004 households, and 2,970 families living in the county. The population density was 2.6 inhabitants per square mile (1.0/km2). There were 4,695 housing units at an average density of 0.9 units per square mile (0.35 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.3% American Indian, 31.4% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 1.0% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.1% were American, and 10.3% were German.

Of the 4,004 households, 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.77. The median age was 30.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,550 and the median income for a family was $41,985. Males had a median income of $32,216 versus $27,917 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,066. About 20.7% of families and 23.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Coal mining and agriculture play major roles in Big Horn County's economy. Farms and ranches in the county produce mainly beef cattle, sugar beets, alfalfa, and small grains.[16]

Communities

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City

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "About Hardin & Big Horn County". Big Horn County Historical Museum. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  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. ^ "Bighorn, Montana Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 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. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  14. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  16. ^ State of Montana. "Big Horn County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  17. ^ Aberdeen, Big Horn County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  18. ^ Benteen, Big Horn County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  19. ^ Dunmore, Big Horn County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  20. ^ Kingley, Big Horn County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
  21. ^ Toluca, Big Horn County MT Google Maps (accessed December 31, 2018)
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45°26′N 107°29′W / 45.43°N 107.49°W / 45.43; -107.49

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