VALLEY County, MT

Valley County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. Valley County was created in 1893 with area partitioned from Dawson County. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,578. Its county seat is Glasgow. It is located on the Canada–United States border with Saskatchewan.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.7%) is water. It is Montana's fourth-largest county by total area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

National protected area

Economy

Agriculture is the major economic activity of Valley County. The US Air Force operated Glasgow Air Force Base at St. Marie until 1976, which was a strong influence on the local economy until its closure.

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 7,675 people, 3,150 households, and 2,129 families living 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 1.0/square mile (0.4/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.

The county population contained 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 living in the county. The population density was . There were 4,879 housing units at an average density of 1.0/square mile (0.4/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

Valley County voters vote reliably Republican in national elections. Since 1964, they have selected the Democratic Party candidate only once (1992, due to strong showing by third-party candidate Ross Perot, which split the Republican voters).

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Census Maps