Valley County, Montana

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,062 square miles (13,110 km²), of which 4,926 square miles (12,760 km²) is land and 136 square miles (350 km²) (2.7%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in Montana by total area.

Major highways

National protected area

Economy

The major economy of Valley is agriculture, including small grains, cattle, pulse crops, and hay. The now abandoned air force base north of Glasgow, known as St. Marie, was a strong influence in the local economy before its closure.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,675 people, 3,150 households, and 2,129 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 4,847 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.14% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 9.42% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.2% were of German, 24.0% Norwegian, 6.4% American, 6.0% English and 5.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,150 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,979, and the median income for a family was $39,044. Males had a median income of $27,233 versus $17,686 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,246. About 9.50% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,369 people, 3,198 households, and 1,997 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.58/km²). There were 4,879 housing units at an average density of 1.0 per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 9.8% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.4% were German, 27.9% were Norwegian, 12.4% were Irish, 10.3% were English, and 6.8% were American.

Of the 3,198 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 46.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,050 and the median income for a family was $54,096. Males had a median income of $40,802 versus $30,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,305. About 5.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In 2004 Valley County voted 62% for Bush/Cheney (GOP) and 36% for Kerry/Edwards (DEM) for president. In 2008 Valley County voted 56% for McCain/Palin (GOP) and 43% for Obama/Biden (DEM) for president.

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Ghost towns