Fergus County, Montana

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


map size= 225
founded=1885
seat= Lewistown
leader=
area_total_sq_mi=4350
area_land_sq_mi=4339
area_water_sq_mi=11
area percentage= 0.26%
census yr= 2000
pop= 11893
density_km2=1
web=www.co.fergus.mt.us|

Fergus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of 2000, the population was 11,893. Its county seat is LewistownGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,350 square miles (11,267 km²), of which, 4,339 square miles (11,238 km²) of it is land and 11 square miles (29 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

* Chouteau County, Montana - northwest
* Blaine County, Montana - north
* Phillips County, Montana - northeast
* Petroleum County, Montana - east
* Musselshell County, Montana - southeast
* Golden Valley County, Montana - south
* Wheatland County, Montana - southwest
* Judith Basin County, Montana - west

National protected areas

* Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Lewis and Clark National Forest (part)
* Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 11,893 people, 4,860 households, and 3,197 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 5,558 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.10% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 1.18% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 13.5% American, 13.0% Norwegian, 9.3% Irish and 9.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.1% spoke English, 1.2% German and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 4,860 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,409, and the median income for a family was $36,609. Males had a median income of $27,260 versus $18,138 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,808. About 10.60% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

*Roy E. Ayers, later Governor of Montana, served as the attorney of the county from 1905 to 1909.
*Carl W. Riddick, later United States Congressman from Montana, earlier served as County Assessor of Fergus County.

Communities

City

*Lewistown

Towns

*Denton
*Grass Range
*Moore
*Winifred

Census-designated place

*Lewistown Heights

References