Ravalli County, Montana

Ravalli County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 40,212.[1] Its county seat is Hamilton.[2]

For the census designated place, see Ravalli, Montana.

Ravalli County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°05′N 114°07′W
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedMarch 3, 1893
Named forAntonio Ravalli
SeatHamilton
Largest cityHamilton
Area
 • Total2,400 sq mi (6,000 km2)
 • Land2,391 sq mi (6,190 km2)
 • Water9.4 sq mi (24 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total40,212
 • Estimate 
(2018)
43,172
 • Density17/sq mi (6.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.rc.mt.gov
 
  • Montana county number 13

Ravalli County is part of a north/south mountain valley bordered by the Sapphire Mountains on the East and the Bitterroot Mountains on the West. It is often referred to as the Bitterroot Valley, which is named for the Bitterroot Flower. The county is on the Pacific Ocean side of the Continental Divide, which follows the Idaho-Montana border from Wyoming until Ravalli County. Here, it turns east into Montana, between Chief Joseph Pass and Lost Trail Pass, and follows the Ravalli County-Beaverhead County border.

History

Ravalli County was once home to the Bitterroot Salish tribe. The tribe was first encountered in 1805 by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which noted their friendly nature. The Catholic Church took an interest in creating a mission in the area, and in 1841, Stevensville was founded. In 1891, the Salish tribe moved to the current Flathead Reservation under the Treaty of Hellgate.

In 1877, Chief Joseph and his Wallowa band of Nez Perce passed through Ravalli County in their attempt to escape confinement to a reservation; they were captured en route to Canada just south of Havre.

Ravalli County was created in 1893 by the Montana Legislature, annexing a portion of Missoula County. It is named for the Italian Jesuit priest Antony Ravalli, who came to the Bitterroot Valley in 1845.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 2,400 square miles (6,200 km2), of which 2,391 square miles (6,190 km2) is land and 9.4 square miles (24 km2) (0.4%) is water.[3]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19007,822—
191011,66649.1%
192010,098−13.4%
193010,3152.1%
194012,47821.0%
195013,1015.0%
196012,341−5.8%
197014,40916.8%
198022,49356.1%
199025,01011.2%
200036,07044.2%
201040,21211.5%
Est. 201843,172[4]7.4%
US Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[9] there were 36,070 people, 14,289 households, and 10,188 families in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 15,946 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.71% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.1% were of German, 14.1% English, 11.1% Irish, 7.9% American and 6.3% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 14,289 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

The county population contained 25.60% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,992, and the median income for a family was $38,397. Males had a median income of $30,994 versus $19,987 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,935. About 9.60% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 40,212 people, 16,933 households, and 11,380 families in the county.[10] The population density was 16.8 inhabitants per square mile (6.5/km2). There were 19,583 housing units at an average density of 8.2 per square mile (3.2/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 95.9% white, 0.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 28.8% were German, 17.4% were English, 15.9% were Irish, 8.3% were American, 5.7% were Italian, and 5.5% were Norwegian.[12]

Of the 16,933 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 46.0 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,000 and the median income for a family was $53,004. Males had a median income of $42,065 versus $27,629 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,908. About 9.6% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Economy

Agriculture and timber form the bulk of Ravalli County economic activity. Marcus Daly, one of three Butte copper kings, funded logging operations in the Bitterroot Valley. The lumber was necessary for the Butte copper operation. Recently, more of Ravalli County's economy stems from tourism. The valley borders the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and offers a wide variety of wildlife, including some of the few remaining wolverine and wolf populations in the contiguous states. The Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area is at Lost Trail Pass on the Idaho border on US-93.

Politics

Ravalli County voters have been reliably Republican, opting only one time for the Democratic Party candidate in national elections since 1940 (as of 2016).

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 65.7% 14,810 27.6% 6,223 6.8% 1,523
2012 64.4% 14,307 32.8% 7,285 2.8% 620
2008 58.8% 13,002 38.0% 8,400 3.2% 699
2004 66.8% 13,279 30.9% 6,144 2.2% 444
2000 65.2% 11,241 25.8% 4,451 9.0% 1,546
1996 50.1% 8,138 32.0% 5,200 17.9% 2,902
1992 35.9% 5,392 30.9% 4,644 33.2% 4,983
1988 59.4% 7,418 38.1% 4,763 2.5% 309
1984 67.2% 8,161 31.5% 3,825 1.4% 168
1980 63.7% 7,268 26.9% 3,063 9.4% 1,073
1976 56.3% 4,894 40.3% 3,504 3.4% 296
1972 61.8% 4,611 33.3% 2,480 4.9% 367
1968 53.3% 3,183 34.8% 2,080 11.9% 714
1964 41.5% 2,350 58.3% 3,300 0.2% 12
1960 56.5% 3,121 43.1% 2,381 0.5% 26
1956 61.4% 3,437 38.6% 2,161 0.0% 0
1952 66.4% 3,537 32.8% 1,750 0.8% 42
1948 49.8% 2,354 45.7% 2,159 4.5% 210
1944 54.3% 2,342 44.7% 1,926 1.0% 43
1940 46.7% 2,483 52.2% 2,773 1.1% 57
1936 33.4% 1,580 60.4% 2,859 6.2% 293
1932 39.8% 1,714 53.2% 2,292 7.1% 305
1928 68.5% 2,551 29.9% 1,112 1.6% 61
1924 37.8% 1,311 16.2% 562 46.0% 1,596
1920 60.5% 2,110 35.1% 1,224 4.4% 154
1916 42.4% 1,623 51.4% 1,967 6.2% 238
1912 13.4% 316 36.4% 858 50.3% 1,186
1908 48.1% 1,045 39.5% 859 12.4% 269
1904 57.5% 1,083 27.8% 523 14.8% 279

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents
  • Henry L. Myers, Ravalli County prosecuting attorney, US Senator from Montana

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  5. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  12. "Selected Social Characteistics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  13. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  14. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  15. Alta MT Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)
  16. Bell Crossing MT Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)
  17. Cinnibar Court MT Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)
  18. Como TM Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)
  19. Gorus MT Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)
  20. Medicine Hot Springs MT Google Maps (accessed 5 January 2019)

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