Named for Bighorn sheep Congressional district At-large Area 12,989 km² Population 13,042 (2013) University Little Big Horn College | Largest city Hardin Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6 Founded 1864 County seat Hardin | |
Website www.bighorncountymt.gov Rivers Bighorn River, Little Bighorn River, Tongue river. Destinations Little Bighorn Battlefield, Hardin, Crow Agency, Fort Smith, Lodge Grass | ||
25th june 1876 battle of little bighorn custer s last stand
Big Horn County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 12,865. The county seat is Hardin. The county, like the river and mountain range, were named for the bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains. The county was founded in 1913. It is immediately to the north from the northern Wyoming state line.
Contents
- 25th june 1876 battle of little bighorn custer s last stand
- Map of Big Horn County MT USA
- Law and government
- Geography
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
- National protected areas
- Climate
- 2000 census
- 2010 census
- Economy
- City
- Town
- Census designated places
- Unincorporated communities
- References
Map of Big Horn County, MT, USA
Law and government
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
According to the U.S. 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. It is the fifth-largest county in Montana by land area. Most of the county's land area comprises 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
Adjacent counties
Big Horn County in Montana and Wyoming are two of twenty-two counties or parishes in the United States with the same name to border each other across state lines. The others are Sabine County, Texas and Sabine Parish, Louisiana, Union County, Arkansas and Union Parish, Louisiana, Bristol County, Massachusetts and Bristol County, Rhode Island, Kent County, Maryland and Kent County, Delaware, Escambia County, Alabama and Escambia County, Florida, Pike County, Illinois and Pike County, Missouri, Teton County, Idaho and Teton County, Wyoming, Park County, Montana and Park County, Wyoming, San Juan County, New Mexico and San Juan County, Utah, and Vermilion County, Illinois and Vermillion County, Indiana. respectively. (Note, despite the different spellings, the source of the name is the same for Vermilion County, Illinois and Vermillion County, Indiana—the Vermillion River which flows through both counties.)
National protected areas
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Big Horn County has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,671 people, 3,924 households, and 3,033 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 4,655 housing units at an average density of <1/km² (1/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 36.60% White, 0.04% Black or African American, 59.66% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. 3.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.9% were of German ancestry. 67.1% spoke English, 27.9% Crow, 2.5% Cheyenne and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.
There were 3,924 households out of which 42.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.70% were non-families. 19.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.66.
In the county, the population was spread out with 35.80% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,684, and the median income for a family was $31,095. Males had a median income of $23,814 versus $18,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,792. About 23.70% of families and 29.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.00% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 12,865 people, 4,004 households, and 2,970 families residing 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 per square mile (0.35/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
Coal mining and agriculture both 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.