Broadwater County, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Broadwater County
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The Broadwater County Courthouse in Townsend
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Location within the U.S. state of Montana
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 Montana's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Montana |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Named for | Charles Arthur Broadwater |
| Seat | Townsend |
| Largest city | Townsend |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,239 sq mi (3,210 km2) |
| • Land | 1,193 sq mi (3,090 km2) |
| • Water | 46 sq mi (120 km2) 3.7% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,774 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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7,793  |
| • Density | 5.4673/sq mi (2.1109/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
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Broadwater County is a county located in the state of Montana, United States. In 2020, about 6,774 people lived here. The main town and county seat is Townsend. The county got its name from Charles Arthur Broadwater. He was a famous person in Montana who worked with railroads, land, and banks.
Contents
History of Broadwater County
The famous Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through this area long ago. They followed the Missouri River as they explored. In 1864, gold was found in the Big Belt Mountains. This discovery brought many mining towns to life. Later, in 1881, the Northern Pacific Railway built a stop here. This stop became the town of Townsend.
Geography of Broadwater County
Broadwater County covers a total area of about 1,239 square miles (3,210 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1,193 square miles (3,090 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 46 square miles (120 square kilometers), is water.
The county's borders are mostly formed by mountains. The Big Belt Mountains are to the east and north. The Elkhorn Mountains are to the west. The Horseshoe Hills are to the south.
Broadwater County is famous for Canyon Ferry Lake. This lake is the third largest body of water in Montana. It helps local farms by providing water for their crops. It is also a popular spot for fun activities. People enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and camping here. It's also a great place to see wildlife.
Main Roads in Broadwater County
Interstate 90
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 287
Montana Highway 2
Neighboring Counties
- Meagher County - east
- Gallatin County - south
- Jefferson County - west
- Lewis and Clark County - northwest
Protected Natural Areas
- Helena National Forest (part of it is in Broadwater County)
Population in Broadwater County
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 2,641 | — | |
| 1910 | 3,491 | 32.2% | |
| 1920 | 3,239 | −7.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,738 | −15.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,451 | 26.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,922 | −15.3% | |
| 1960 | 2,804 | −4.0% | |
| 1970 | 2,526 | −9.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,267 | 29.3% | |
| 1990 | 3,318 | 1.6% | |
| 2000 | 4,385 | 32.2% | |
| 2010 | 5,612 | 28.0% | |
| 2020 | 6,774 | 20.7% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 7,793 | 38.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960, 1900–1990, 1990–2000, 2010–2020 |
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In 2020, the county had a population of 6,774 people. By 2022, the population was estimated to be around 7,793 people.
Economy of Broadwater County
Farming is a very important industry in Broadwater County. Two of the biggest private employers in 2000 were RY Timber and Wheat Montana Bakery.
Towns and Communities
City
- Townsend (This is the county seat, where the main government offices are.)
Census-Designated Places
These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities.
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller settlements that are not officially part of a city or a census-designated place.
- Canton
- Copper City
- Diamond City
- Eustis
- Holker
- Lombard
Former Communities
- Lombard (This community used to exist but is no longer active.)
Education in Broadwater County
There are three main school districts that serve the students in Broadwater County:
- Townsend K-12 Schools
- Three Forks Elementary School District
- Three Forks High School District
Both the elementary and high school districts in Three Forks are part of Three Forks Public Schools.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Broadwater para niños
