According to countryaah, Beaverhead County is located in the southwestern part of Montana, bordered by Madison and Gallatin Counties to the north, Jefferson County to the east, and Idaho to the west. It is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, an area of immense natural beauty. The county covers an area of 6,567 square miles and is home to a population of 9,246 people. The county seat is Dillon which has a population of about 4,000 people. The county has two incorporated towns: Wisdom and Lima.
Beaverhead County’s terrain includes rolling hills with buttes and mesas that are characteristic of this region. It contains several mountain ranges including the Bitterroot Range which runs along its western border with Idaho; the Tobacco Root Mountains in its northern region; and the Pioneer Mountains located in its southeastern corner. Beaverhead County also features several rivers such as the Beaverhead River which flows through Dillon; Big Hole River running through Wisdom; Ruby River flowing through Alder; Red Rock River running through Melrose; plus many other smaller streams throughout the county. The climate in Beaverhead County is semi-arid with cold winters and hot summers. Rainfall averages around 12 inches per year while snowfall averages around 70 inches per year.
Demographics of Beaverhead County, Montana
Beaverhead County is home to a population of 9,246 people, with a population density of 1.4 persons per square mile. The largest city in the county is Dillon with a population of 4,000 people. The racial makeup of the county is 91.5% White, 0.3% African American, 3.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander and 3.1% from other races. The median age in Beaverhead County is 40 years old and the median household income is $41,959 per year.
The majority of Beaverhead County’s population identifies as Christian (76%), followed by those who identify as non-religious (12%). Other religious affiliations include Islam (0.6%), Buddhism (0.4%) and Judaism (0.2%). The county has an unemployment rate of 5%.
The largest industries in Beaverhead County are agriculture and tourism related industries such as ranching and hunting guides services, as well as small retail businesses in Dillon’s downtown area which draws visitors from around the region to enjoy its unique shops and restaurants while they explore this beautiful area of Montana’s Big Sky Country!
Places of Interest in Beaverhead County, Montana
Beaverhead County is home to a wealth of places of interest, from historic sites to outdoor recreation areas. The county is dotted with numerous small towns and cities that each have their own unique attractions, such as Dillon which features the Beaverhead County Museum, which houses artifacts from the area’s history, as well as the Beaverhead Rock State Park which features petroglyphs carved by Native Americans.
The Big Hole National Battlefield is also located in Beaverhead County and commemorates one of the most significant battles of the Nez Perce War in 1877. Other historical sites include Bannack State Park, a former mining town with numerous restored buildings and artifacts from its gold mining days.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Ruby River for fishing, kayaking or swimming; or take a hike along one of many trails found throughout the county. There are numerous camping spots available for those looking to spend some time in nature. Additionally, Beaverhead County’s wildlife management areas provide hunting opportunities for elk, deer, antelope and more.
For those seeking more leisurely activities, golf courses such as The Oaks Golf Course in Dillon offer great opportunities to practice your game while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The county also has several ski resorts including Discovery Ski Area near Divide and Maverick Mountain near Polaris where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy some of Montana’s best slopes!
Communities in Beaverhead County, Montana
Beaverhead County is home to a variety of communities, each with its own unique character and charm. Dillon is the county seat and largest city, with a population of over 4,000 people. It is known for its historic downtown area and has several small shops, restaurants, and parks to explore. Other cities in the county include Divide, Lima, Wisdom, Twin Bridges, and Wisdom.
Each community offers something special for visitors to explore. For example, Divide is home to the Divide Historical Museum which contains artifacts from the region’s past. Lima has the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds which hosts a number of events throughout the year including rodeos and music festivals. Twin Bridges also hosts its own annual music festival as well as an outdoor movie theater in the summer months.
The small towns of Melrose and Wise River are popular destinations for those looking for some peace and quiet away from it all. They offer breathtaking views of surrounding mountains as well as access to some great fishing spots on the Big Hole River. Additionally there are numerous ranches located throughout Beaverhead County that provide opportunities to experience life on a working ranch or even take part in cattle drives!
Notable People of Beaverhead County, Montana
Beaverhead County, Montana is home to a variety of notable individuals that have made an impact in the world. One of the most famous people from Beaverhead County is the former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State John Walsh. Walsh was born and raised in Dillon, Montana and served as a senator for nearly 10 years before becoming Secretary of State under President Barack Obama in 2013. He also has a long history of public service in the state, having served as a state legislator from 1979-1987.
Another notable individual from Beaverhead County is professional golfer Phil Mickelson. Mickelson attended college at Arizona State University but was born and raised in the small town of Divide, Montana where his family still resides today. He has won over 40 tournaments on the PGA tour including five majors and has been inducted into both the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.
The county is also home to several other talented athletes including NFL players Sam Bradford, Colt Anderson, and Mike Person as well as NBA player Klay Thompson who all grew up in Beaverhead County. Additionally, there are several musicians that have come out of Beaverhead County such as singer-songwriter Corb Lund who was born in Wisdom and country artist Rodney Atkins who was born in Dillon.
Beaverhead County has produced some amazing people throughout its history that have gone on to do great things! From politicians to athletes to musicians, it’s clear that this small county has had an outsized impact on our world today!
Bordering States of Montana
According to abbreviationfinder, Montana is bordered by six states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Idaho. The border between Montana and North Dakota measures approximately 160 miles in total length as it stretches from Montana’s northeastern corner near Whitetail up to its northwestern tip near Ambrose. Additionally, Montana shares a lengthy border with Wyoming that measures about 460 miles in total length. It extends from the northwesternmost point near Red Lodge to its southeasternmost point near Alzada.
To the south, Montana has relatively short borders with both South Dakota and Nebraska that measure only 100 and 65 miles in length respectively as they run along South Dakota’s western edge and Nebraska’s southwestern edge from Forsyth up to their northwesternmost points near Baker and Terry respectively. Additionally, Montana also has a border with Idaho that measures about 310 miles in length as it extends from the northeastern corner of Idaho up to its northwestern tip near Lookout Pass.
To the west, Montana has borders with both Washington and Oregon that measure about 165 miles each in total length as they run along Washington’s northern edge and Oregon’s western edge from Libby up to their northwesternmost points near Metaline Falls and Whitebird respectively. Finally, Montana also has a small border with Canada that measure only 100 miles in total length as it extends from Sweetgrass up to Chief Mountain on the Rocky Mountains.
