Toole County, Montana

Infobox U.S. County
county= Toole County
state= Montana


map size= 225
founded=
seat= Shelby
largest city= Shelby
leader=
area_total_sq_mi=1946
area_land_sq_mi=1911
area_water_sq_mi=35
area percentage= 1.79%
census yr= 2000
pop= 5267
density_km2=1
web= www.toolecountymt.gov|

Toole County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Montana. It was established in 1914 from parts of Hill County and Teton County and is named for Joseph Toole, Montana's first governor. The population was 5,267 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Shelby.GR|6

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,946 square miles (5,040 km²), of which, 1,911 square miles (4,949 km²) of it is land and 35 square miles (90 km²) of it (1.79%) is water.

Its northern boundary is the Canadian border. A part of its southern boundary is formed by Maria's River, which flows through the south-eastern portion. In the eastern part are several creeks, the largest of which is Willow, which rises in the Sweet Grass hills and follows a southerly course through the county. In the Sweet Grass hills and elsewhere indications of oil and gas have been found.

Adjacent counties

* Glacier County, Montana - west
* Pondera County, Montana - south
* Liberty County, Montana - east
* Warner County No. 5, Alberta - north
* Village of Coutts, Alberta - north
* Forty Mile County No. 8, Alberta - northeast

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,267 people, 1,962 households, and 1,308 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,300 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.89% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 3.19% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.0% were of German, 19.4% Norwegian, 10.2% Irish, 8.3% American and 8.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.7% spoke English, 4.2% German and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 1,962 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 106.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,169, and the median income for a family was $39,600. Males had a median income of $27,284 versus $19,141 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,731. About 9.70% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

*Shelby

Towns

*Kevin
*Sunburst

Unincorporated communities

*Naismith
*Sweet Grass

References

External links

* [http://www.toolecountymt.gov Toole County Website (official site)]
* [http://www.shelbymt.com City of Shelby (official site)]
* [http://www.homestead.com/shelbychamber/ Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.shelbypromoter.com Shelby Promoter (weekly newspaper)]