Pondera County, Montana

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,640 square miles (4,200 km²), of which 1,623 square miles (4,200 km²) is land and 17 square miles (44 km²) (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,424 people, 2,410 households, and 1,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,834 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.66% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 14.46% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.1% were of German, 13.8% Norwegian, 8.3% Irish, 5.7% American and 5.1% English ancestry. 92.0% spoke English, 5.1% German and 1.8% Blackfoot as their first language.

There were 2,410 households out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the county, the population was spread out with 29.60% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,464, and the median income for a family was $36,484. Males had a median income of $27,125 versus $19,314 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,276. About 15.00% of families and 18.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.40% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,153 people, 2,285 households, and 1,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 3.8 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km²). There were 2,659 housing units at an average density of 1.6 per square mile (0.62/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.7% white, 14.5% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.9% were German, 14.7% were Norwegian, 13.2% were Irish, 9.3% were English, 5.7% were Dutch, and 5.6% were American.

Of the 2,285 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 42.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,419 and the median income for a family was $47,656. Males had a median income of $34,259 versus $26,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,989. About 14.9% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

City

Town

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents