Phillips County, Montana

Phillips County, Montana
Phillips County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,217. Its county seat is Malta. Before February 5, 1915, Phillips County was part of Blaine County, and before 1912 both were part of Chouteau County. It was named for rancher and state senator Benjamin D. Phillips.
Its northern boundary is the Canada–United States border with Saskatchewan. The Missouri River defines its southern boundary.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.4%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Montana by land area and third-largest by total area.
Adjacent counties and rural municipalities
Blaine County - west
Fergus County - southwest
Petroleum County - south
Garfield County - southeast
Valley County - east
Rural Municipality (RM) of Lone Tree No. 18, Saskatchewan (SK) - north
RM of Val Marie No. 17, SK - north
RM of Mankota No. 45, SK - northeast
National protected areas
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge
UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 4,217 people.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,253 people, 1,819 households, and 1,159 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 2,335 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 8.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were Norwegian, 24.3% were German, 13.4% were Irish, 10.1% were American, and 9.0% were English.
Of the 1,819 households, 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.3% were non-families, and 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 46.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,453 and the median income for a family was $55,362. Males had a median income of $41,826 versus $26,417 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,227. About 11.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
From its creation until 1964, voters of Phillips County were fairly balanced; they selected Democratic Party candidates in 58% of national elections. After 1964 the Republican presidential candidate has garnered the county's vote in every election.
Communities
City
Malta (county seat)
Towns
Dodson
Saco
Census-designated places
East Malta Colony
Landusky
Loring Colony
Sleeping Buffalo
Whitewater
Zortman
Other unincorporated communities
Bowdoin
Caldwell
Cole
Content
Cree Crossing
Jordan Crossing
Loring
Morgan
Tattnall
Wagner
See also
List of lakes in Phillips County, Montana
List of mountains in Phillips County, Montana
National Register of Historic Places listings in Phillips County MT
References
External links
Phillips County Sheriff's Office
Further reading
Montana counties on the Missouri River
1915 establishments in Montana
Populated places established in 1915