Lake County, Montana

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


map size= 225
founded=1923
seat= Polson
largest city= Polson
leader=
area_total_sq_mi=1654
area_land_sq_mi=1494
area_water_sq_mi=160
area percentage= 9.67%
census yr= 2000
pop= 26507
density_km2=7
web=www.lakecounty-mt.org|

Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of 2000, the population was 26,507. Its county seat is PolsonGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,654 square miles (4,283 km²), of which, 1,494 square miles (3,869 km²) of it is land and 160 square miles (414 km²) of it (9.67%) is water. Over two-thirds (67.7%) of the county's land lies within the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Adjacent Counties

* Flathead County, Montana - north & east
* Missoula County, Montana - east & south
* Sanders County, Montana - west

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 26,507 people, 10,192 households, and 7,215 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 13,605 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.38% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 23.79% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 3.70% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.7% were of German, 8.8% Irish, 7.8% English, 5.4% Norwegian and 5.4% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.3% spoke English, 1.6% Salish and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 10,192 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,740, and the median income for a family was $34,033. Males had a median income of $27,009 versus $19,162 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,173. About 14.00% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.20% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

*Polson
*Ronan

Town

*St. Ignatius

Census-designated places

References