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Carter County, Montana

Coordinates: 45°30′N 104°32′W / 45.50°N 104.54°W / 45.50; -104.54
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carter County
Carter County Courthouse in Ekalaka
Carter County Courthouse in Ekalaka
Map of Montana highlighting Carter County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°30′N 104°32′W / 45.5°N 104.54°W / 45.5; -104.54
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1917
Named forThomas H. Carter
SeatEkalaka
Largest townEkalaka
Area
 • Total3,348 sq mi (8,670 km2)
 • Land3,341 sq mi (8,650 km2)
 • Water7.5 sq mi (19 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,415
 • Estimate 
(2022)
1,382 Decrease
 • Density0.42/sq mi (0.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.cartercountymt.info
  • Montana county number 42
Aragonite specimen from Carter County

Carter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,415,[1] making it the seventh-least populous county in Montana. The county seat is Ekalaka.[2]

History

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Carter County was named for Thomas Henry Carter, the state's first congressman (representative in Congress from the Montana Territory, followed by first representative from the state of Montana to the US House of Representatives). Prior to settlement the land of Carter County was occupied by the Sioux tribe.[3]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,348 square miles (8,670 km2), of which 3,341 square miles (8,650 km2) is land and 7.5 square miles (19 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]

Medicine Rocks State Park is located 14 miles north of Ekalaka. Weathering has given the rocks an unusual texture. The site was used by Indian hunting parties.[5]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19203,972
19304,1364.1%
19403,280−20.7%
19502,798−14.7%
19602,493−10.9%
19701,956−21.5%
19801,799−8.0%
19901,503−16.5%
20001,360−9.5%
20101,160−14.7%
20201,41522.0%
2022 (est.)1,382[6]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960,[8] 1900–1990,[9]
1990–2000,[10] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 1,415 people and 628 households in Carter County.[11] Of the population, 96.7% were White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 1.9% two or more races. 1.1% were Hispanic. 1.0% had a different primary language to English. The county was 50.1% female, 49.9% male.[11]

The median household income was $48,000, $6,970 below the median of Montana. 61.7% of the population aged over 16 were in the civilian labor force. 14.7% of the population were classed as living in poverty. 2.4% of the population had a disability. 92.5% of the population graduated high school, with 20.2% obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher. 86.5% of households had a computer, with 77.9% having broadband access.[11]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 1,160 people, 532 households, and 354 families living in the county. The population density was 0.3 inhabitants per square mile (0.12/km2). There were 810 housing units at an average density of 0.2 per square mile (0.077/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.9% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 41.5% were German, 19.6% were English, 18.8% were Norwegian, 12.3% were Irish, and 4.3% were American.

Of the 532 households, 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age was 50.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,703 and the median income for a family was $47,955. Males had a median income of $26,736 versus $18,274 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,681. About 8.5% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Carter County has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1952, with Harry S. Truman being the last Democrat to carry the county.

United States presidential election results for Carter County, Montana[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 775 89.70% 74 8.56% 15 1.74%
2016 678 86.26% 70 8.91% 38 4.83%
2012 678 85.18% 96 12.06% 22 2.76%
2008 573 79.36% 111 15.37% 38 5.26%
2004 623 87.87% 76 10.72% 10 1.41%
2000 573 88.84% 53 8.22% 19 2.95%
1996 522 68.24% 150 19.61% 93 12.16%
1992 497 56.86% 154 17.62% 223 25.51%
1988 686 72.82% 242 25.69% 14 1.49%
1984 823 80.06% 194 18.87% 11 1.07%
1980 766 72.40% 237 22.40% 55 5.20%
1976 558 57.41% 344 35.39% 70 7.20%
1972 726 73.86% 218 22.18% 39 3.97%
1968 624 62.21% 269 26.82% 110 10.97%
1964 576 55.98% 453 44.02% 0 0.00%
1960 688 64.00% 383 35.63% 4 0.37%
1956 698 61.55% 436 38.45% 0 0.00%
1952 921 72.12% 351 27.49% 5 0.39%
1948 501 46.22% 568 52.40% 15 1.38%
1944 507 45.35% 610 54.56% 1 0.09%
1940 556 43.03% 734 56.81% 2 0.15%
1936 464 32.81% 929 65.70% 21 1.49%
1932 565 37.39% 915 60.56% 31 2.05%
1928 763 64.01% 420 35.23% 9 0.76%
1924 669 54.17% 283 22.91% 283 22.91%
1920 782 66.84% 342 29.23% 46 3.93%

Communities

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Town

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Merrill, Andrea; Judy Jacobson (1997). Montana almanac. Helena MT: Falcon Publishing. ISBN 1-56044-493-2.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  5. ^ Visit MT. "Medicine Rocks State Park". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "Carter County, Montana; Montana". census.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  13. ^ Albion, Carter County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  14. ^ Belltower, Carter County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  15. ^ Boyes, Carter County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
  16. ^ Ridge, Carter County MT Google Maps (accessed January 1, 2019)
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45°30′N 104°32′W / 45.50°N 104.54°W / 45.50; -104.54