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Valley County, Montana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Valley County, Montana
County
Valley County Courthouse in Glasgow
Valley County Courthouse in Glasgow
Map of Montana highlighting Valley County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Coordinates: 48°22′N 106°40′W / 48.36°N 106.66°W / 48.36; -106.66
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1893
SeatGlasgow
Largest cityGlasgow
Area
 • Total
5,062 sq mi (13,110 km2)
 • Land4,926 sq mi (12,760 km2)
 • Water136 sq mi (350 km2)  2.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,578
 • Estimate 
(2025)
7,385 Decrease
 • Density1.538/sq mi (0.5940/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.valleycountymt.gov
  • Montana county number 20

Valley County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. Valley County was created in 1893 with area partitioned from Dawson County.[1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,578.[2] Its county seat is Glasgow.[3] It is located on the Canada–United States border with Saskatchewan.

Geography

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According to the United States 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.[4] It is Montana's fourth-largest county by total area.

Transportation

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Major highways

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Bus

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Glasgow and the greater Valley County region are served by a non-profit taxi/bus service called Valley Country Transit.[5]

Rail

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Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

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National protected area

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Economy

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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

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19004,355—
191013,630213.0%
192011,542−15.3%
193011,181−3.1%
194015,18135.8%
195011,353−25.2%
196017,08050.4%
197011,471−32.8%
198010,250−10.6%
19908,239−19.6%
20007,675−6.8%
20107,369−4.0%
20207,5782.8%
2025 (est.)7,385[6] Decrease−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960,[8] 1900–1990,[9]
1990–2000,[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,578. Of the residents, 23.2% were under the age of 18 and 22.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females there were 105.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.5 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 84.3% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 9.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% from some other race, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.3% of the population.[13]

There were 3,221 households in the county, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 4,229 housing units, of which 23.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.0% were owner-occupied and 28.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.1%.[12]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 7,369 people, 3,198 households, and 1,997 families living 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 units 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

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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).

United States presidential election results for Valley County, Montana[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1904 742 67.70% 335 30.57% 19 1.73%
1908 843 59.12% 503 35.27% 80 5.61%
1912 668 25.84% 696 26.92% 1,221 47.23%
1916 1,111 32.28% 2,102 61.07% 229 6.65%
1920 2,096 62.89% 895 26.85% 342 10.26%
1924 1,555 51.10% 497 16.33% 991 32.57%
1928 2,330 63.85% 1,294 35.46% 25 0.69%
1932 1,242 30.35% 2,499 61.07% 351 8.58%
1936 996 14.11% 5,862 83.07% 199 2.82%
1940 1,597 30.94% 3,493 67.67% 72 1.39%
1944 1,341 37.44% 2,196 61.31% 45 1.26%
1948 1,375 33.45% 2,535 61.68% 200 4.87%
1952 2,462 53.28% 2,130 46.09% 29 0.63%
1956 2,357 48.42% 2,511 51.58% 0 0.00%
1960 2,387 44.65% 2,953 55.24% 6 0.11%
1964 2,077 40.53% 3,032 59.16% 16 0.31%
1968 2,290 49.44% 1,926 41.58% 416 8.98%
1972 3,210 60.02% 1,973 36.89% 165 3.09%
1976 2,520 50.82% 2,352 47.43% 87 1.75%
1980 3,242 62.47% 1,567 30.19% 381 7.34%
1984 3,123 61.89% 1,849 36.64% 74 1.47%
1988 2,467 52.42% 2,163 45.96% 76 1.61%
1992 1,497 32.77% 1,715 37.54% 1,356 29.68%
1996 1,838 43.69% 1,674 39.79% 695 16.52%
2000 2,500 63.08% 1,273 32.12% 190 4.79%
2004 2,476 61.62% 1,431 35.61% 111 2.76%
2008 2,121 54.23% 1,645 42.06% 145 3.71%
2012 2,337 60.56% 1,385 35.89% 137 3.55%
2016 2,698 69.29% 886 22.75% 310 7.96%
2020 3,135 73.57% 1,030 24.17% 96 2.25%
2024 3,019 74.01% 935 22.92% 125 3.06%

Communities

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City

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Census Maps

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Valley County Census Districts 1940
Valley County Census Districts, colored, 2010 U.S. census

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Stout, Tom (1921). Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, under the editorial supervision of Tom Stout. Chicago IL: American Historical Society. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Valley County Transit". Glasgow, Montana: Valley County Transit. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 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 30, 2014.
  11. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  12. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  13. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  14. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  15. ↑ Baylor MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  16. ↑ Miles Crossing MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  17. ↑ Park Grove MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  18. ↑ Richland Post Office MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  19. ↑ Roanwood MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  20. ↑ Tampico MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  21. ↑ Whately MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  22. ↑ Wheeler MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  23. ↑ Beaverton MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
  24. ↑ Thoeny MT Google Maps (accessed January 7, 2019)
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48°22′N 106°40′W / 48.36°N 106.66°W / 48.36; -106.66

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