Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,959.[2] Its county seat is Chester.[3] The decision to separate the future Liberty County area from the previous Hill and Chouteau counties was carried in a 1919 vote; the organization was authorized to commence in the following February.[1][4]

The southwestern corner of Liberty County holds Tiber Dam, a popular tourist and recreation area.

Geography

Liberty County is on the state's north line, so that it shares the US border with Canada. It abuts the Canadian province of Alberta. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,447 square miles (3,750 km2), of which 1,430 square miles (3,700 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (1.2%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19202,416—
19302,198−9.0%
19402,2090.5%
19502,180−1.3%
19602,62420.4%
19702,359−10.1%
19802,329−1.3%
19902,295−1.5%
20002,158−6.0%
20102,3398.4%
20201,959−16.2%
2024 (est.)1,934[6] Decrease−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,959. Of the residents, 23.8% were under the age of 18 and 23.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.3 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.7% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.7% of the population.[12]

There were 732 households in the county, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 933 housing units, of which 21.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.0% were owner-occupied and 29.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.[13]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,339 people, 822 households, and 537 families living in the county. The population density was 1.6 inhabitants per square mile (0.62/km2). There were 1,043 housing units at an average density of 0.7 units per square mile (0.27 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 55.4% were German, 24.1% were Norwegian, 14.5% were Irish, 9.9% were English, and 1.4% were American.

Of the 822 households, 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 44.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,212 and the median income for a family was $44,957. Males had a median income of $35,788 versus $30,714 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,097. About 12.4% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census record

Researchers William P. O'Hare and Kenneth M. Johnson described the county as typical of the northern Great Plains in being very thinly settled, almost fully dependent on agriculture, and lacking in urban areas. They noted that income can fluctuate substantially from year to year, depending on rainfall (which affects harvest yields) as well as grain and cattle prices, and that the 2000 Census recorded low incomes in 1999 after several years of drought. Also, the presence of Hutterite colonies in the county depresses per capita incomes because Hutterite families have significantly more children than the general population.[14]

Politics

As of 2024 Liberty County is a solid Republican county.

United States presidential election results for Liberty County, Montana[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1920 757 63.61% 331 27.82% 102 8.57%
1924 239 33.71% 141 19.89% 329 46.40%
1928 446 56.74% 332 42.24% 8 1.02%
1932 252 24.95% 731 72.38% 27 2.67%
1936 276 25.92% 758 71.17% 31 2.91%
1940 434 43.66% 550 55.33% 10 1.01%
1944 393 46.67% 440 52.26% 9 1.07%
1948 354 38.23% 542 58.53% 30 3.24%
1952 671 61.67% 411 37.78% 6 0.55%
1956 601 55.19% 488 44.81% 0 0.00%
1960 597 54.27% 501 45.55% 2 0.18%
1964 533 46.15% 619 53.59% 3 0.26%
1968 670 58.57% 390 34.09% 84 7.34%
1972 808 65.43% 365 29.55% 62 5.02%
1976 638 54.86% 506 43.51% 19 1.63%
1980 872 69.43% 283 22.53% 101 8.04%
1984 895 72.82% 323 26.28% 11 0.90%
1988 771 63.82% 418 34.60% 19 1.57%
1992 512 42.28% 321 26.51% 378 31.21%
1996 634 54.56% 379 32.62% 149 12.82%
2000 752 72.03% 243 23.28% 49 4.69%
2004 734 71.06% 281 27.20% 18 1.74%
2008 594 59.34% 367 36.66% 40 4.00%
2012 702 70.34% 257 25.75% 39 3.91%
2016 698 72.63% 206 21.44% 57 5.93%
2020 821 75.81% 249 22.99% 13 1.20%
2024 752 76.11% 214 21.66% 22 2.23%

Communities

Town

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Montana County Formation Table". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "History". Liberty County. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  11. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  12. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  13. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  14. ^ Facing Child Poverty in Rural America Archived February 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine by William P. O'Hare and Kenneth M. Johnson, Population Reference Bureau, January 2004
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  16. ^ Hill MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  17. ^ Lothair MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)
  18. ^ Tiber MT Google Maps (accessed January 2, 2019)

48°33′N 111°02′W / 48.55°N 111.03°W / 48.55; -111.03

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_County,_Montana