Liberty County, Montana

Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 2,339.[2] Its county seat is Chester.[3] 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.[1][4]

Liberty County
U.S. county
Liberty County Courthouse in Chester
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°33′N 111°02′W
Country	United States
State	Montana
Founded	February 11, 1920[1]
Seat	Chester
Largest town	Chester
Area
• Total	1,447 sq mi (3,750 km^2)
• Land	1,430 sq mi (3,700 km^2)
• Water	17 sq mi (40 km^2)  1.2%
Population  (2010)
• Total	2,339
• Estimate  (2018)	2,430
• Density	1.6/sq mi (0.62/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.co.liberty.mt.us
Montana county number 48

The SW corner of Liberty County holds Tiber Dam, a popular tourist and recreation area.

Geography

Liberty County is on the state's north line, so that it shares the US border with Canada. It abuts the Canadian province of Alberta. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,447 square miles (3,750 km²), of which 1,430 square miles (3,700 km²) is land and 17 square miles (44 km²) (1.2%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

• Toole County – west
• Pondera County – southwest
• Chouteau County – south
• Hill County – east
• County of Forty Mile No. 8, Alberta – north

Politics

Presidential elections results

Presidential elections results[6]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2016	72.6% 698	21.4% 206	5.9% 57
2012	70.3% 702	25.8% 257	3.9% 39
2008	59.3% 594	36.7% 367	4.0% 40
2004	71.1% 734	27.2% 281	1.7% 18
2000	72.0% 752	23.3% 243	4.7% 49
1996	54.6% 634	32.6% 379	12.8% 149
1992	42.3% 512	26.5% 321	31.2% 378
1988	63.8% 771	34.6% 418	1.6% 19
1984	72.8% 895	26.3% 323	0.9% 11
1980	69.4% 872	22.5% 283	8.0% 101
1976	54.9% 638	43.5% 506	1.6% 19
1972	65.4% 808	29.6% 365	5.0% 62
1968	58.6% 670	34.1% 390	7.4% 84
1964	46.2% 533	53.6% 619	0.3% 3
1960	54.3% 597	45.6% 501	0.2% 2
1956	55.2% 601	44.8% 488	0.0% 0
1952	61.7% 671	37.8% 411	0.6% 6
1948	38.2% 354	58.5% 542	3.2% 30
1944	46.7% 393	52.3% 440	1.1% 9
1940	43.7% 434	55.3% 550	1.0% 10
1936	25.9% 276	71.2% 758	2.9% 31
1932	25.0% 252	72.4% 731	2.7% 27
1928	56.7% 446	42.2% 332	1.0% 8
1924	33.7% 239	19.9% 141	46.4% 329
1920	63.6% 757	27.8% 331	8.6% 102

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	2,416		—
1930	2,198		−9.0%
1940	2,209		0.5%
1950	2,180		−1.3%
1960	2,624		20.4%
1970	2,359		−10.1%
1980	2,329		−1.3%
1990	2,295		−1.5%
2000	2,158		−6.0%
2010	2,339		8.4%
Est. 2018	2,430	[7]	3.9%
US Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2018[2]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] of 2000, there were 2,158 people, 833 households, and 583 families living in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,070 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.21% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. 0.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.0% were of German, 20.0% Norwegian, 7.2% English, 5.8% American and 5.0% Irish ancestry. 84.5% spoke English and 15.5% German as their first language.

There were 833 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.

The county population contained 25.80% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,284, and the median income for a family was $37,361. Males had a median income of $23,158 versus $16,579 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,882. About 19.00% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.90% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.

Researchers William P. O'Hare and Kenneth M. Johnson described the county as typical of the northern Great Plains in being very thinly settled, almost fully dependent on agriculture, and lacking in urban areas. They noted that income can fluctuate substantially from year to year, depending on rainfall (which affects harvest yields) as well as grain and cattle prices, and that the 2000 Census recorded low incomes in 1999 after several years of drought. Also, the presence of Hutterite colonies in the county depresses per capita incomes because Hutterite families have significantly more children than the general population.[13]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,339 people, 822 households, and 537 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 1.6 inhabitants per square mile (0.62/km²). There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 0.7 per square mile (0.27/km²).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.3% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 55.4% were German, 24.1% were Norwegian, 14.5% were Irish, 9.9% were English, and 1.4% were American.[16]

Of the 822 households, 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 44.6 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,212 and the median income for a family was $44,957. Males had a median income of $35,788 versus $30,714 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,097. About 12.4% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Communities

Town

• Chester (county seat)

Census-designated place

• Joplin

Unincorporated communities

• Eagle Creek Colony[18]
• Hill[19]
• Lothair[20]
• Riverview Colony[21]
• Sage Creek Colony[22]
• Tiber[23]
• Whitlash

See also

• List of cemeteries in Liberty County, Montana
• List of lakes in Liberty County, Montana
• List of mountains in Liberty County, Montana
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Liberty County MT

References

1. "Montana County Formation Table". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "History". Liberty County. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
6. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved August 6, 2019.
8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
12. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. Facing Child Poverty in Rural America Archived February 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine by William P. O'Hare and Kenneth M. Johnson, Population Reference Bureau, January 2004
14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
16. "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 10, 2016.
17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
18. Eagle Creek Colony MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)
19. Hill MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)
20. Lothair MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)
21. Riverview Colony MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)
22. Sage Creek Colony MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)
23. Tiber MT Google Maps (accessed 2 January 2019)