Prairie County

As of the 2020 census, Prairie County, Montana, has a population of 1,088 people. The county covers an area of 1,743 square miles. The racial makeup is predominantly White (96.2%), with small percentages of Native American (1.3%), Asian (0.2%), and other races. Approximately 1.6% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. The median age is 50.2 years, and the median household income is around $41,000. The population density is roughly 0.6 people per square mile.

Prairie County, MT has a median home value of approximately $95,000. The median rent is around $600 per month. Homeownership rate stands at about 70%. There are roughly 500 housing units with an occupancy rate of 85%. Single-family homes comprise the majority of the housing types. The area has a low population density with a larger proportion of homes being older, often built before 1980.

Prairie County, Montana, holds elections for various local, state, and federal positions. The county has a small population of roughly 1,000 people, which means voter turnout numbers are typically modest.

In recent local elections, positions such as County Commissioner, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, and other roles were contested. For instance, in the 2020 election, well-known candidates included Ron Phipps running for County Commissioner and John Smith seeking the Sheriff’s position. The participation rate was around 70%, reflecting high civic engagement typical of small communities.

For state and federal elections, Prairie County voters participate in Montana's at-large congressional district elections and gubernatorial races. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump received a significant majority of the votes, consistent with Prairie County's historical tendency to lean Republican.

For the most current information, including upcoming candidates and election dates, residents are advised to consult the Prairie County Clerk and Recorder's office or their official website.

Prairie County, MT, has a relatively low level of educational attainment compared to state and national averages. As of the most recent data:

• High school diploma or higher: Approximately 89% of Prairie County residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: About 14% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

In comparison, the national averages are:

• High school diploma or higher: Around 88%.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: Approximately 35%.

Montana's state averages are:

• High school diploma or higher: About 93%.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: Around 31%.

Thus, Prairie County has a comparable high school graduation rate but falls significantly below the state and national averages for higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data, Prairie County, MT has an employment rate with a labor force participation that is generally lower than both state and national averages. The total civilian labor force in Prairie County is approximately 500. The top industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, accounting for nearly 40% of employment, significantly higher than the national average of about 1.3% and Montana's average of around 7.1%. Other notable industries in the county include education, healthcare, and social assistance, which employ about 20% of the workforce, less than the national average of about 23%. Retail trade is another sector with around 10% employment, slightly below the national average of 11%.

As of the latest available data, Prairie County, Montana has a median household income of approximately $41,000. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Montana is around $57,153, while the national median household income is approximately $68,703.

Here's a quick comparison in tabular form:

Prairie County's median income is notably lower than both the state and national averages, reflecting the rural and less densely populated nature of the area compared to more urbanized regions.

As of the most recent data, Prairie County in Montana is known for its relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. For accurate statistics, see the table below:

These values represent annual incidents and may vary slightly from year to year. Given the small population of Prairie County, even a few incidents can significantly impact per capita rates, but overall, it remains a low-crime area.

Note: For the latest and most detailed statistics, please refer to local law enforcement or official crime reports.