Lake County is a county located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,134.[1] Its county seat is Polson.[2]

Lake County
St. Ignatius Mission at St. Ignatius, Montana
Map of Montana highlighting Lake County
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Map of the United States highlighting Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°39′N 114°05′W / 47.65°N 114.09°W / 47.65; -114.09
Country United States
State Montana
Founded1923
Named forFlathead Lake
SeatPolson
Largest cityPolson
Area
 • Total1,654 sq mi (4,280 km2)
 • Land1,490 sq mi (3,900 km2)
 • Water164 sq mi (420 km2)  9.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total31,134
 • Estimate 
(2022)
32,853 Increase
 • Density19/sq mi (7.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.lakemt.gov
  • Montana county number 15

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,654 square miles (4,280 km2), of which 1,490 square miles (3,900 km2) is land and 164 square miles (420 km2) (9.9%) is water.[3] Over two-thirds (67.7%) of the county's land lies within the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19309,541
194013,49041.4%
195013,8352.6%
196013,104−5.3%
197014,44510.2%
198019,05631.9%
199021,04110.4%
200026,50726.0%
201028,7468.4%
202031,1348.3%
2022 (est.)32,853[4]5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960,[6] 1900–1990,[7]
1990–2000,[8] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 31,134 people living in the county.[citation needed]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 28,746 people, 11,432 households, and 7,770 families living in the county. The population density was 19.3 inhabitants per square mile (7.5/km2). There were 16,588 housing units at an average density of 11.1 per square mile (4.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.4% white, 22.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.5% from other races, and 7.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were German, 11.6% were English, 11.5% were Irish, 6.9% were Norwegian, and 3.8% were American.

Of the 11,432 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 41.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,274 and the median income for a family was $47,437. Males had a median income of $37,461 versus $26,637 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,164. About 15.4% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Lake County, Montana[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 9,322 56.07% 6,916 41.60% 388 2.33%
2016 7,530 57.13% 4,776 36.23% 875 6.64%
2012 7,135 53.63% 5,805 43.63% 364 2.74%
2008 6,498 46.56% 6,766 48.48% 692 4.96%
2004 7,245 57.61% 4,960 39.44% 371 2.95%
2000 6,441 56.26% 3,884 33.93% 1,123 9.81%
1996 4,723 43.57% 4,195 38.70% 1,922 17.73%
1992 3,596 34.08% 3,938 37.32% 3,018 28.60%
1988 4,883 53.37% 4,109 44.91% 158 1.73%
1984 5,754 61.55% 3,473 37.15% 121 1.29%
1980 5,083 59.58% 2,615 30.65% 834 9.77%
1976 3,809 52.83% 3,253 45.12% 148 2.05%
1972 4,172 62.09% 2,260 33.64% 287 4.27%
1968 3,358 55.98% 1,956 32.61% 685 11.42%
1964 2,828 47.24% 3,148 52.59% 10 0.17%
1960 3,240 56.75% 2,462 43.12% 7 0.12%
1956 3,363 59.88% 2,253 40.12% 0 0.00%
1952 3,651 65.09% 1,893 33.75% 65 1.16%
1948 2,295 49.35% 2,177 46.82% 178 3.83%
1944 2,265 55.80% 1,750 43.11% 44 1.08%
1940 2,718 52.46% 2,379 45.92% 84 1.62%
1936 1,401 31.68% 2,656 60.06% 365 8.25%
1932 1,361 33.34% 2,514 61.59% 207 5.07%
1928 1,876 59.42% 1,256 39.78% 25 0.79%
1924 884 28.00% 340 10.77% 1,933 61.23%

Communities

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Cities

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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School districts include:

K-12 (Unified):[16]

High school:[16]

Elementary school:[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "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 28, 2014.
  9. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  10. ^ Allentown MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  11. ^ Post Creek MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  12. ^ Proctor MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  13. ^ Round Butte MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  14. ^ Salmon Prairie Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  15. ^ Sipes MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  16. ^ a b c "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lake County, MT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 4 (PDF p. 5/7). Retrieved March 13, 2024. - Text list

47°39′N 114°05′W / 47.65°N 114.09°W / 47.65; -114.09