Carbon County, Montana
Carbon County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,078 and estimated at 10,714 as of a 2018 estimate.[1] Its county seat is Red Lodge.[2]
Carbon County | |
---|---|
Carbon County Courthouse | |
Location within the U.S. state of Montana | |
Montana's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 45°14′N 109°01′W | |
Country | |
State | |
Founded | March 4, 1895 |
Seat | Red Lodge |
Largest city | Red Lodge |
Area | |
• Total | 2,062 sq mi (5,340 km2) |
• Land | 2,049 sq mi (5,310 km2) |
• Water | 13 sq mi (30 km2) 0.6% |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 10,078 |
• Estimate (2018) | 10,714 |
• Density | 4.9/sq mi (1.9/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Congressional district | At-large |
Website | co |
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Carbon County is part of the Billings, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Carbon County was named for the rich coal deposits found in the area. It was organized on March 4, 1895, from portions of Park and Yellowstone counties.
Land from Park and Yellowstone counties was used to form Carbon County on March 4, 1895.[3] More than sixty federally designated historic sites are located in the county, including Petroglyph Canyon,[4] one of the state's most important rock art sites.[5]
The first commercial oil well in the state was established in Elk Basin fields in 1915.[6]
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,062 square miles (5,340 km2), of which 2,049 square miles (5,310 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7]
Granite Peak, the state's highest mountain, is found in Carbon County's Beartooth Mountains. The Beartooth Highway, one of the "most spectacular alpine highways",[8] links Red Lodge to Cooke City. The Pryor Mountains are in the east of the county, along with the Big Horn River.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 212 U.S. Highway 310 Montana Highway 72 Montana Highway 78
Adjacent counties
- Park County, Montana - west
- Stillwater County, Montana - north
- Yellowstone County, Montana - northeast
- Big Horn County, Montana - east
- Big Horn County, Wyoming - southeast
- Park County, Wyoming - south
National protected areas
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (part)
- Custer National Forest (part)
- Gallatin National Forest (part)
Politics
Carbon County has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 62.6% 3,748 | 30.5% 1,828 | 6.9% 415 |
2012 | 60.4% 3,533 | 36.7% 2,146 | 2.9% 168 |
2008 | 54.1% 3,108 | 42.5% 2,443 | 3.5% 199 |
2004 | 62.8% 3,342 | 34.7% 1,847 | 2.5% 132 |
2000 | 62.8% 3,008 | 29.9% 1,434 | 7.3% 347 |
1996 | 45.1% 2,147 | 38.9% 1,854 | 16.0% 761 |
1992 | 33.8% 1,562 | 33.5% 1,549 | 32.7% 1,509 |
1988 | 52.8% 2,360 | 45.6% 2,039 | 1.6% 71 |
1984 | 62.7% 2,877 | 36.1% 1,657 | 1.2% 53 |
1980 | 56.6% 2,471 | 33.7% 1,468 | 9.7% 424 |
1976 | 52.4% 2,121 | 45.8% 1,853 | 1.8% 71 |
1972 | 61.9% 2,378 | 33.6% 1,292 | 4.5% 171 |
1968 | 55.0% 1,972 | 37.7% 1,353 | 7.3% 262 |
1964 | 42.3% 1,535 | 57.8% 2,098 | 0.0% 0 |
1960 | 51.8% 2,050 | 48.0% 1,903 | 0.2% 8 |
1956 | 56.3% 2,345 | 43.7% 1,820 | 0.0% 0 |
1952 | 61.2% 2,734 | 38.3% 1,713 | 0.5% 23 |
1948 | 45.6% 1,901 | 47.9% 1,997 | 6.5% 271 |
1944 | 50.3% 2,126 | 49.0% 2,073 | 0.7% 31 |
1940 | 46.9% 2,421 | 51.9% 2,678 | 1.2% 62 |
1936 | 33.2% 1,617 | 63.9% 3,116 | 2.9% 143 |
1932 | 38.3% 1,942 | 56.6% 2,872 | 5.2% 262 |
1928 | 58.1% 2,514 | 38.7% 1,674 | 3.2% 139 |
1924 | 44.3% 1,891 | 16.4% 698 | 39.3% 1,677 |
1920 | 64.1% 2,700 | 26.3% 1,107 | 9.7% 407 |
1916 | 42.6% 1,708 | 48.0% 1,926 | 9.4% 379 |
1912 | 24.9% 646 | 30.7% 796 | 44.5% 1,154[10] |
1908 | 52.0% 1,205 | 36.4% 844 | 11.6% 268 |
1904 | 59.1% 1,130 | 24.3% 464 | 16.7% 319 |
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1900 | 7,533 | — | |
1910 | 13,962 | 85.3% | |
1920 | 15,279 | 9.4% | |
1930 | 12,571 | −17.7% | |
1940 | 11,865 | −5.6% | |
1950 | 10,241 | −13.7% | |
1960 | 8,317 | −18.8% | |
1970 | 7,080 | −14.9% | |
1980 | 8,099 | 14.4% | |
1990 | 8,080 | −0.2% | |
2000 | 9,552 | 18.2% | |
2010 | 10,078 | 5.5% | |
Est. 2018 | 10,714 | [11] | 6.3% |
US Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2018[1] |
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census,[16] there were 9,552 people, 4,065 households, and 2,707 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 5,494 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.07% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.65% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of German, 11.5% English, 9.2% Irish, 8.9% Norwegian, 5.9% American and 5.2% Italian ancestry.
There were 4,065 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.
The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,139, and the median income for a family was $38,405. Males had a median income of $30,226 versus $19,945 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 8.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,078 people, 4,571 households, and 2,884 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 4.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.9/km2). There were 6,441 housing units at an average density of 3.1 per square mile (1.2/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 97.2% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 32.3% were German, 16.2% were Irish, 14.5% were English, 12.6% were American, and 6.6% were Norwegian.[19]
Of the 4,571 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 48.1 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $49,010 and the median income for a family was $59,823. Males had a median income of $41,241 versus $26,150 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,983. About 8.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.[20]
Economy
During the early history of Carbon County, coal mining was the predominant industry. The current economy relies on agriculture, recreation, and tourism.[21]
In 2009 the top employers were Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, Red Lodge Mountain, and the Red Lodge Pizza Company.[21]
In December 2014, construction began on a large windfarm, Mud Springs Wind Ranch, with 120 wind turbines, 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Bridger.[22]
Communities
City
- Red Lodge (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
Former communities
- Carbonado
- Chance
- Chickentown
- Fairbanks
- Gebo (originally Coalville)
- Golden
- International
- New Caledonia
- Riverview
- Scotch Coulee
- Stringtown
See also
- List of cemeteries in Carbon County, Montana
- List of lakes in Carbon County, Montana
- List of mountains in Carbon County, Montana
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Carbon County, Montana
References
- "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- Carbon County. "Welcome to Carbon County". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- Vincent, William B. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Petroglyph Canyon. National Park Service, September 4, 1974, 3.
- Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
- "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- America's Byways. "Beartooth Highway-Montana". Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 766 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 388 votes.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry (September 2010). "Demographic & Economic Information for Carbon County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- Lutney, Tom (December 19, 2014). "Major wind farm breaks ground near Bridger". Missoulian. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- Alpine, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
- George Place, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
- Montaqua, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
- Peterson Place, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
- Richel Lodge, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)
- Selmes, Carbon County MT Google Maps (accessed 31 December 2018)