Broadwater County

As of the 2020 Census, Broadwater County, MT, had a population of approximately 6,774. The racial makeup was predominantly White (94.8%), with smaller percentages of Native American (1.7%), Asian (0.3%), and other or mixed races. The Hispanic or Latino population accounted for 2.8%. The median household income was around $56,667, with a poverty rate of about 10.6%. The age distribution included about 22.5% under 18, 57.4% aged 18-64, and 20.1% aged 65 and older. The county seat is Townsend.

As of the latest data, Broadwater County, MT, has a median home value of approximately $341,000. The housing market shows a slight upward trend, with an annual appreciation rate of around 4.2%. Rental costs average around $1,200 per month. The county has about 2,500 housing units, with a homeownership rate of 75%. The vacancy rate stands at 12%, reflecting seasonal or second homes. Housing options mainly include detached single-family homes.

As of the latest updates in 2023, Broadwater County, MT, participates in both local and general elections, typically occurring in even-numbered years. Local elections include positions such as County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, and other key roles.

For the 2022 general elections, key positions and candidates were:

• County Commissioner: Candidates included incumbent Tom Mead and challenger Jane Benson.
• Sheriff: Incumbent John Smith ran against Deputy Larry Johnson.
• Clerk and Recorder: Candidates were Susan Wilson (incumbent) and Amanda Gold.

Voter turnout in the county usually ranges between 60-70% for general elections. For the 2022 elections, roughly 2,500 of the 3,800 registered voters participated.

Local issues and referendums also appear on ballots, varying by election cycle. Detailed and up-to-date information can always be found on the Broadwater County official website or local government offices.

Broadwater County, MT, has educational attainment figures somewhat below national and state averages. About 91% of adults (25 and older) have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of approximately 90% and Montana's average of 92%. Around 18% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is lower than the national average of 33% and Montana's average of 34%. The county exhibits moderate educational attainment but lags behind broader benchmarks, indicating areas for potential improvement.

Broadwater County, MT, a rural area, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 60%, with an unemployment rate hovering around 3.5%, similar to Montana’s state average but lower than the national average of about 4%. Key industries in Broadwater County include agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining, which employ around 20% of the workforce, compared to about 1.5% nationally. Retail trade accounts for 13% of local employment, slightly above the national average of 11%. Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance engage about 18% of workers, which is lower than the national average of 25%. Other significant industries include construction (10%) and manufacturing (8%), both roughly aligned with state averages but higher than national figures, reflecting the regional economic focus.

As of the most recent data available, the average household income in Broadwater County, Montana is approximately $60,400. Comparatively, the median household income in Montana is roughly $57,153, while the national median stands at $68,703. This indicates that Broadwater County's average household income is slightly above the state average but below the national median.

These figures suggest that while Broadwater County fares better than the state average, there is still a significant gap when compared to the national median.

As of the most recent data, Broadwater County, MT, has relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The county saw approximately 158 reported crimes per year, with both violent and property crimes tracked and analyzed.

These numbers reflect low violent crime rates, but property crimes, particularly theft, comprise the majority of reported incidents. Efforts are ongoing to improve public safety and reduce crime further.