Chouteau County, Montana

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
County
Chouteau County Courthouse in Fort Benton
Chouteau County Courthouse in Fort Benton
Map of Montana highlighting Chouteau County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°53′N 110°26′W
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1865
Named forPierre Chouteau Jr.
SeatFort Benton
Largest cityFort Benton
Area
 • Total3,997 sq mi (10,350 km2)
 • Land3,972 sq mi (10,290 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,895
 • Estimate 
(2022)
5,898 Increase
 • Density1.5/sq mi (0.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.chouteau.mt.us
  • Montana county number 19

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.

Geography

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 prairie. The Bear Paw Mountains rise in the eastern section and the Little Rockies and the Highwood ranges are in the southern portion. Major rivers include the Teton River, Marias River, Missouri River and the Arrow River.

Adjacent counties

Major highway

National protected areas

Politics
United States presidential election results for Chouteau County, Montana[4]
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%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870517—
18803,068493.4%
18904,74154.5%
190010,966131.3%
191017,19156.8%
192011,051−35.7%
19308,635−21.9%
19407,316−15.3%
19506,974−4.7%
19607,3485.4%
19706,473−11.9%
19806,092−5.9%
19905,452−10.5%
20005,9709.5%
20105,813−2.6%
20205,8951.4%
2022 (est.)5,898[5]0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

Census-designated places

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.

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 5,895 people.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 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.

Economy

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]

Communities
Square Butte

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  4. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. "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.
  10. Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
  11. Wheat and Barley Committee. "The basics of wheat – and more!". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  12. Big Sag, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  13. Coal Banks Landing, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  14. Lippard, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  15. Google Maps, also an extensive history found with a search engine.
  16. Shepherd Crossing, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  17. Shonkin, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  18. Stranahan, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  19. Virgelle, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  20. Warrick, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  21. Woods Crossing, Chouteau County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
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47.88°N 110.44°W / 47.88; -110.44

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