Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lewis and Clark County
state = Montana


map size = 225
founded = 1864 |hi seat = Helena | largest city = Helena
area_total_sq_mi =3498
area_water_sq_mi =37
area percentage = 1.05%
census yr = 2000
pop = 55716
density_km2 =6
web = www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us
|

Lewis and Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 55,716. Its county seat is HelenaGR|6. The numerical designation for Lewis and Clark County (used in the issuance of license plates) is 5. The county was established in 1865 as Edgerton County; it was renamed Lewis and Clark County two years later.

Lewis and Clark County is part of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,498 square miles (9,059 km²), of which, 3,461 square miles (8,964 km²) of it is land and 37 square miles (95 km²) of it (1.05%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

* Teton County, Montana - north
* Cascade County, Montana - east
* Meagher County, Montana - east
* Broadwater County, Montana - southeast
* Jefferson County, Montana - south
* Powell County, Montana - west
* Flathead County, Montana - northwest

National protected areas

* Flathead National Forest (part)
* Helena National Forest (part)
* Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)
* Lolo National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the GR|2 of 2000, there were 55,716 people, 22,850 households, and 14,966 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 25,672 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.21% white, 0.20% Black or African American, 2.04% Native American, 0.52% Asian American, 0.05% Pacific Islander American, 0.38% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. 1.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.6% were of German, 15.5% Irish, 10.9% English, 9.5% Norwegian and 6.1% American ancestry according to the 2000 Census.

There were 22,850 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,360, and the median income for a family was $46,766. Males had a median income of $33,515 versus $23,961 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,763. About 7.30% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

In the county of the population that's 25 years old and over 91.4% of them have a High school diploma, 31.6% of that population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 17.2% of the population is disabled, 1.6% of them are foreign born, and only 4.0% of the population can speak another language at home. According to the 2000 Census 59.7% of the population (male) is married but, now separated. For the women it is only 3% lower at 56.7%. The average family size is 2.95. In the county there are 25,672 homes, 2,822 of which are vacant.

Communities

City

*Helena

Town

*East Helena

Census-designated places

*Augusta
*Helena Valley Northeast
*Helena Valley Northwest
*Helena Valley Southeast
*Helena Valley West Central
*Helena West Side
*Lincoln

Ghost town

*Marysville

Notable residents

*Seth Bullock, sheriff of Lewis and Clark County, and later served as sheriff of Deadwood, South Dakota.
*Mike McGrath, current Montana Attorney General, previously served as County Attorney of Lewis and Clark County.
*Johnny Miljus, major league baseball pitcher, retired to Fort Harrison in Lewis and Clark County.
* All of the Governors of the state of Montana, whose capital city, Helena, is in this county.

References

External links

* [http://www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us/ Lewis and Clark County web site]