Pondera County (/ˌpɒndəˈreɪ/ POND-ə-RAY)[2] is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,898.[3] Its county seat is Conrad.[4]
Pondera County | |
|---|---|
 Pondera County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Montana | |
 Montana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 48°14′N 112°13′W / 48.24°N 112.22°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Montana |
| Founded | April 1, 1919[1] |
| Named for | Pend d'Oreilles people |
| Seat | Conrad |
| Largest city | Conrad |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,640 sq mi (4,200 km2) |
| • Land | 1,623 sq mi (4,200 km2) |
| • Water | 17 sq mi (40 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,898 |
• Estimate (2022) | 6,078  |
| • Density | 3.6/sq mi (1.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd |
| Website | www |
| |
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,640 square miles (4,200 km2), of which 1,623 square miles (4,200 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]
Adjacent counties
edit- Glacier County – north
- Toole County – north
- Liberty County – east
- Chouteau County – east
- Teton County – south
- Flathead County – west
National protected area
editDemographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 5,741 | — | |
| 1930 | 6,964 | 21.3% | |
| 1940 | 6,716 | −3.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,392 | −4.8% | |
| 1960 | 7,653 | 19.7% | |
| 1970 | 6,611 | −13.6% | |
| 1980 | 6,731 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 6,433 | −4.4% | |
| 2000 | 6,424 | −0.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,153 | −4.2% | |
| 2020 | 5,898 | −4.1% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 6,078 | [6] | 3.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[3] | |||
2020 census
editAs of the 2020 census, there were 5,898 people living in the county.[citation needed]
2010 census
editAs of the 2010 census, there were 6,153 people, 2,285 households, and 1,528 families residing in the county. The population density was 3.8 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km2). There were 2,659 housing units at an average density of 1.6 units per square mile (0.62 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.7% white, 14.5% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.9% were German, 14.7% were Norwegian, 13.2% were Irish, 9.3% were English, 5.7% were Dutch, and 5.6% were American.
Of the 2,285 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 42.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,419 and the median income for a family was $47,656. Males had a median income of $34,259 versus $26,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,989. About 14.9% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
editFrom its creation until 1964, voters of Pondera County were fairly balanced; they selected Democratic Party candidates in 58% of national elections. Since 1964, the Republican presidential candidate has garnered the county's vote in every election.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,972 | 69.14% | 782 | 27.42% | 98 | 3.44% |
| 2020 | 2,031 | 67.81% | 903 | 30.15% | 61 | 2.04% |
| 2016 | 1,799 | 66.07% | 738 | 27.10% | 186 | 6.83% |
| 2012 | 1,673 | 61.53% | 975 | 35.86% | 71 | 2.61% |
| 2008 | 1,588 | 55.04% | 1,223 | 42.39% | 74 | 2.56% |
| 2004 | 1,853 | 64.79% | 956 | 33.43% | 51 | 1.78% |
| 2000 | 1,948 | 67.27% | 792 | 27.35% | 156 | 5.39% |
| 1996 | 1,438 | 48.53% | 1,123 | 37.90% | 402 | 13.57% |
| 1992 | 1,252 | 39.56% | 1,046 | 33.05% | 867 | 27.39% |
| 1988 | 1,795 | 57.64% | 1,245 | 39.98% | 74 | 2.38% |
| 1984 | 2,239 | 67.52% | 1,039 | 31.33% | 38 | 1.15% |
| 1980 | 2,270 | 66.14% | 897 | 26.14% | 265 | 7.72% |
| 1976 | 1,666 | 52.89% | 1,413 | 44.86% | 71 | 2.25% |
| 1972 | 1,890 | 57.41% | 1,215 | 36.91% | 187 | 5.68% |
| 1968 | 1,530 | 52.98% | 1,149 | 39.79% | 209 | 7.24% |
| 1964 | 1,110 | 38.58% | 1,759 | 61.14% | 8 | 0.28% |
| 1960 | 1,452 | 46.76% | 1,653 | 53.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,651 | 53.45% | 1,438 | 46.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 1,719 | 57.45% | 1,246 | 41.64% | 27 | 0.90% |
| 1948 | 902 | 35.37% | 1,555 | 60.98% | 93 | 3.65% |
| 1944 | 890 | 37.70% | 1,448 | 61.33% | 23 | 0.97% |
| 1940 | 1,038 | 34.83% | 1,899 | 63.72% | 43 | 1.44% |
| 1936 | 658 | 22.43% | 2,213 | 75.43% | 63 | 2.15% |
| 1932 | 930 | 32.35% | 1,805 | 62.78% | 140 | 4.87% |
| 1928 | 1,324 | 57.99% | 944 | 41.35% | 15 | 0.66% |
| 1924 | 764 | 37.67% | 414 | 20.41% | 850 | 41.91% |
| 1920 | 1,654 | 62.49% | 893 | 33.74% | 100 | 3.78% |
Communities
editCity
edit- Conrad (county seat)
Town
editCensus-designated places
editOther unincorporated communities
editNotable people
edit- Ivan Doig, author; resided in Dupuyer
- George Montgomery – film/television actor; born and raised in Brady
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Pondera County Montana". www.ponderacountymontana.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ Wilson, Kurt (September 15, 2015). "The Montana pronunciation guide". Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ Valier MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
- ^ East Community MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
- ^ Fowler MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
- ^ Gallup City Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
- ^ Manson MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)
- ^ Williams MT Google Maps (accessed January 4, 2019)