Yellowstone County, Montana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yellowstone County
U.S. county
Postcard. Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Montana
Montana's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Montana
Founded	February 26, 1883
Named for	Yellowstone River
Seat	Billings
Largest city	Billings
Area
• Total	2,649 sq mi (6,860 km2)
• Land	2,633 sq mi (6,820 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	164,731
• Density	62.186/sq mi (24.010/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Montana county number 03

Yellowstone County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 164,731. Its county seat is Billings. Yellowstone County is named for the Yellowstone River which roughly bisects the county, flowing southwest to northeast. The river in turn was named after the yellow Sandstone cliffs in what is now Yellowstone County.

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

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Musselshell County - north
• Rosebud County - northeast
• Treasure County - east
• Big Horn County - southeast
• Carbon County - southwest
• Stillwater County - west
• Golden Valley County - northwest

National protected areas

• Nez Perce National Historical Park (part)
• Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 129,352 people, 52,084 households, and 34,219 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 54,563 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.78% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 3.05% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 3.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.1% were of German, 10.4% Norwegian, 9.7% Irish, 9.3% English and 5.4% American ancestry.

There were 52,084 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,727, and the median income for a family was $45,277. Males had a median income of $33,475 versus $21,566 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,303. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, 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.

Communities

Cities

• Billings (county seat)
• Laurel

Town

• Broadview

Census-designated places

• Ballantine
• Custer
• Huntley
• Lockwood
• Shepherd
• Worden

Unincorporated communities

• Acton
• Comanche
• Hesper
• Nibbe
• Osborn
• Pompey's Pillar
• Homewood Park

Ghost towns

• Coulson
• Mossmain
• Rimrock
• Waco

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Yellowstone (Montana) para niños