Yellowstone County
County
Postcard. Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
Postcard. Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
Official seal of Yellowstone County
Seal
Map of Montana highlighting Yellowstone 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°56′N 108°16′W / 45.94°N 108.27°W / 45.94; -108.27
Country United States
State Montana
FoundedFebruary 26, 1883
Named forYellowstone River
SeatBillings
Largest cityBillings
Area
 • Total2,649 sq mi (6,860 km2)
 • Land2,633 sq mi (6,820 km2)
 • Water16 sq mi (40 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total164,731
 • Estimate 
(2022)
169,852 Increase
 • Density62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.yellowstone.mt.gov
  • Montana county number 03

Yellowstone County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 164,731.[1] Its county seat is Billings,[2] the state's most populous city. Like the nearby park, Yellowstone County is named after the Yellowstone River which roughly bisects the county, flowing southwest to northeast.[3] The river, in turn, was named for the yellow sandstone cliffs in what is now Yellowstone County.[4]

Yellowstone County is included in the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,649 square miles (6,860 km2), of which 2,633 square miles (6,820 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (0.6%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,065—
19006,212200.8%
191022,944269.3%
192029,60029.0%
193030,7854.0%
194041,18233.8%
195055,87535.7%
196079,01641.4%
197087,36710.6%
1980108,03523.7%
1990113,4195.0%
2000129,35214.0%
2010147,97214.4%
2020164,73111.3%
2022 (est.)169,852[6]3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020 there were 164,731 people.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 147,972 people, 60,672 households, and 38,367 families residing in the county. The population density was 56.2 inhabitants per square mile (21.7/km2). There were 63,943 housing units at an average density of 24.3 per square mile (9.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.7% white, 4.0% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.2% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.4% were German, 14.0% were Irish, 11.3% were English, 10.0% were American, and 9.9% were Norwegian.

Of the 60,672 households, 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 38.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,641 and the median income for a family was $62,380. Males had a median income of $42,899 versus $30,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,152. About 7.9% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Yellowstone County is rather conservative for an urban county. Its voters have been reliably Republican for the better part of a century. They have selected the Democratic Party candidate in only one national election since 1940 (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Yellowstone County, Montana[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 50,772 60.57% 30,679 36.60% 2,370 2.83%
2016 40,920 58.05% 22,171 31.45% 7,395 10.49%
2012 40,500 58.86% 26,403 38.37% 1,904 2.77%
2008 36,483 51.62% 32,038 45.33% 2,158 3.05%
2004 40,903 61.71% 24,120 36.39% 1,263 1.91%
2000 33,922 59.00% 20,370 35.43% 3,207 5.58%
1996 26,367 47.18% 22,992 41.14% 6,523 11.67%
1992 22,822 40.43% 20,163 35.72% 13,465 23.85%
1988 28,069 55.42% 21,987 43.41% 591 1.17%
1984 34,124 63.01% 19,437 35.89% 592 1.09%
1980 27,332 56.57% 15,272 31.61% 5,709 11.82%
1976 25,201 57.11% 18,329 41.54% 595 1.35%
1972 25,205 62.64% 13,602 33.80% 1,430 3.55%
1968 19,898 58.77% 11,682 34.50% 2,277 6.73%
1964 15,571 46.85% 17,446 52.49% 222 0.67%
1960 19,467 60.82% 12,356 38.61% 183 0.57%
1956 18,664 64.91% 10,088 35.09% 0 0.00%
1952 17,556 66.61% 8,750 33.20% 51 0.19%
1948 10,342 50.74% 9,718 47.67% 324 1.59%
1944 8,706 51.44% 8,140 48.09% 79 0.47%
1940 8,479 48.03% 9,036 51.18% 140 0.79%
1936 5,193 37.05% 8,575 61.18% 248 1.77%
1932 5,386 46.90% 5,777 50.31% 320 2.79%
1928 6,904 68.08% 3,205 31.60% 32 0.32%
1924 4,715 55.91% 1,172 13.90% 2,546 30.19%
1920 5,714 65.08% 2,782 31.69% 284 3.23%
1916 3,281 42.06% 4,259 54.60% 261 3.35%
1912 1,004 26.23% 1,193 31.17% 1,631 42.61%
1908 1,803 56.61% 1,114 34.98% 268 8.41%
1904 1,249 70.41% 436 24.58% 89 5.02%
1900 816 54.51% 654 43.69% 27 1.80%
1896 429 42.52% 575 56.99% 5 0.50%
1892 479 53.88% 369 41.51% 41 4.61%

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Montana Digital Atlas – Montana Natural Resources Information System". Montana State Library, State of Montana. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  4. ^ "History of Yellowstone as a Place Name". www.yellowstone-online.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. 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. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "Anita · Montana 59006". Anita · Montana 59006. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Billings Heights · Montana 59105". Billings Heights · Montana 59105. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "Bull Mountain · Montana 59064". Bull Mountain · Montana 59064. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Indian Arrow · Montana 59037". Indian Arrow · Montana 59037. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  16. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  17. ^ "Yegen · Montana 59106". Yegen · Montana 59106. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2019.

External links

45°56′N 108°16′W / 45.94°N 108.27°W / 45.94; -108.27

Places adjacent to Yellowstone County, Montana
Municipalities and communities of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States
State of Montana
Authority control databases
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