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Prairie County, Montana

Coordinates: 46°51′N 105°22′W / 46.85°N 105.37°W / 46.85; -105.37
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prairie County
County
Downtown Terry, Montana during a typical snowy day.
Downtown Terry, Montana during a typical snowy day.
Map of Montana highlighting Prairie County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°51′N 105°22′W / 46.85°N 105.37°W / 46.85; -105.37
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedFebruary 5, 1915
Named forPrairie landscape
SeatTerry
Largest townTerry
Area
 • Total
1,743 sq mi (4,510 km2)
 • Land1,737 sq mi (4,500 km2)
 • Water5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,088
 • Estimate 
(2022)
1,107 Increase
 • Density0.6/sq mi (0.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitevisitterrymt.com (Terry Chamber of Commerce)
  • Montana county number 45

Prairie County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,088,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in Montana.[2] Its county seat is Terry.[3] Prairie County was created by the Montana Legislature in 1915 out of parts of Custer, Dawson, and Fallon Counties. The name was selected in a contest and reflects the predominant landscape of the region.[4]

The county was the site of the 1938 Custer Creek train wreck that killed 47 people and injured 75.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,743 square miles (4,510 km2), of which 1,737 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19203,684—
19303,9417.0%
19402,410−38.8%
19502,377−1.4%
19602,318−2.5%
19701,752−24.4%
19801,8364.8%
19901,383−24.7%
20001,199−13.3%
20101,179−1.7%
20201,088−7.7%
2022 (est.)1,107[6]1.7%
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 1,088 people living in the county.[citation needed]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 1,179 people, 551 households, and 342 families in the county. The population density was 0.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.27/km2). There were 673 housing units at an average density of 0.4 per square mile (0.15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.4% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 44.7% were German, 18.6% were Norwegian, 14.1% were American, 11.8% were Irish, and 9.5% were English.

Of the 551 households, 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.9% were non-families, and 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.67. The median age was 53.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,896 and the median income for a family was $43,500. Males had a median income of $28,438 versus $21,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,296. About 12.4% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Voters in Prairie County have voted for Republican Party candidates in all national elections since 1948 (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Prairie County, Montana[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 603 81.05% 126 16.94% 15 2.02%
2016 556 80.70% 100 14.51% 33 4.79%
2012 520 73.97% 167 23.76% 16 2.28%
2008 503 68.44% 211 28.71% 21 2.86%
2004 546 74.18% 181 24.59% 9 1.22%
2000 541 72.52% 164 21.98% 41 5.50%
1996 417 53.46% 259 33.21% 104 13.33%
1992 412 48.13% 260 30.37% 184 21.50%
1988 541 60.11% 343 38.11% 16 1.78%
1984 693 69.93% 289 29.16% 9 0.91%
1980 580 62.57% 283 30.53% 64 6.90%
1976 597 58.59% 415 40.73% 7 0.69%
1972 685 68.57% 303 30.33% 11 1.10%
1968 635 67.77% 270 28.82% 32 3.42%
1964 555 52.96% 488 46.56% 5 0.48%
1960 649 65.75% 338 34.25% 0 0.00%
1956 637 61.25% 403 38.75% 0 0.00%
1952 771 69.21% 338 30.34% 5 0.45%
1948 499 47.89% 527 50.58% 16 1.54%
1944 598 55.68% 468 43.58% 8 0.74%
1940 597 51.42% 554 47.72% 10 0.86%
1936 454 33.31% 877 64.34% 32 2.35%
1932 634 45.71% 732 52.78% 21 1.51%
1928 968 70.20% 405 29.37% 6 0.44%
1924 683 56.21% 162 13.33% 370 30.45%
1920 881 76.68% 242 21.06% 26 2.26%
1916 535 45.38% 622 52.76% 22 1.87%

Communities

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Town

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Census-designated place

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Other 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 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Montana Counties by Population (2024)". www.montana-demographics.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Place Names From Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society Research Center. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 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 29, 2014.
  11. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  12. ^ Crow Rock MT Google Maps (accessed January 5, 2019)
  13. ^ McCloud MT Google Maps (accessed January 5, 2019)
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46°51′N 105°22′W / 46.85°N 105.37°W / 46.85; -105.37

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