3.3.1 HistoricPopulation
Valley County’s population data since 1900 is presented in Table 13. Notice that the county had the biggest population increase from 1900 to 1910. The population peaked in 1960 and has been declining since. The most significant population decrease was from 1960 to 1970, which coincides with the closure of the Glasgow Airforce Base in 1969.
Table 13: PopulationofValley Countysince1900 (U.S.Census)
Census Year
|
Population
|
Percent Change
|
1900
|
4,355
|
-
|
1910
|
13,630
|
213.0%
|
1920
|
11,542
|
-15.1%
|
1930
|
11,181
|
-3.1%
|
1940
|
15,181
|
35.8%
|
1950
|
11,353
|
-25.2%
|
1960
|
17,080
|
50.4%
|
1970
|
11,471
|
-32.8%
|
1980
|
10,250
|
-10.6%
|
1990
|
8,239
|
-19.6%
|
2000
|
7,675
|
-6.8%
|
2010
|
7,369
|
-4.0%
|
Est. 2013
|
7,630
|
3.5%
|
Source: US Census
3.3.2 Population Trends
In Valley County, as of the 2010 Census, there were 3,150 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was demographically diverse with 25.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.
3.3.3 ComparableGrowth
One of the best ways to compare the county’s rate of population growth is to examine the growth rates of neighboring counties. Table 14 accomplishes this by including demographic information for the following counties: Phillips County, Garfield County, McCone County, Roosevelt County and Daniels County.
Table 14: Comparable Growth in Neighboring Counties
County
|
2000 Census
|
2010 Census
|
% change
|
Phillips County
|
4,601
|
4,253
|
-7.6%
|
Garfield County
|
1,279
|
1,206
|
-5.7%
|
McCone County
|
1,977
|
1,734
|
-12.3%
|
Roosevelt County
|
10,620
|
10,425
|
-1.8%
|
Daniels County
|
2,017
|
1,715
|
-13.2%
|
Valley County
|
7,675
|
7,630
|
-4.0%
|
According to the above information, all of the counties in the area are experiencing some population decrease. The county with the most population decrease in the past decade was McCone County and the county with the least population loss was Roosevelt County.
3.3.4 PopulationbyAgeGroups
Table15showsthebreakdownofValleyCounty’spopulationbyagecategories.Valley County’s total population is 7,369, with the largest age group makeup being those 55-59 years old. This indicates the major age group in Valley County is aging and will soon be retiring and may begin experiencing more health problems with age.
Table 15: Valley County’sPopulationbyAgeGroupsin2010(U.S.Census)
Subject
|
Number
|
Percent
|
Total population
|
7,369
|
100.0
|
Under 5 years
|
415
|
5.6
|
5 to 9 years
|
478
|
6.5
|
10 to 14 years
|
473
|
6.4
|
15 to 19 years
|
494
|
6.7
|
20 to 24 years
|
246
|
3.3
|
25 to 29 years
|
344
|
4.7
|
30 to 34 years
|
341
|
4.6
|
35 to 39 years
|
368
|
5.0
|
40 to 44 years
|
376
|
5.1
|
45 to 49 years
|
571
|
7.7
|
50 to 54 years
|
605
|
8.2
|
55 to 59 years
|
619
|
8.4
|
60 to 64 years
|
514
|
7.0
|
65 to 69 years
|
408
|
5.5
|
70 to 74 years
|
363
|
4.9
|
75 to 79 years
|
294
|
4.0
|
80 to 84 years
|
207
|
2.8
|
85 years and over
|
253
|
3.4
|
Median age (years)
|
46.4
|
( X )
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
3.3.5 Households
The Great Northern Development Corporation Regional Needs Assessment from 2013 indicated that there is a shortage of safe, sanitary, and affordable housing within the region which adversely affects the availability of a workforce. In 2010, Valley County had 4,874 housing units and there is a projected 12 percent population increase expected which means there would need to be a total of 8,253 housing units to accommodate. The lack of housing is a concern for the county.
Table16 showsexactlyhow many households are in Valley County. Currently, the number of family households makes up 62.3 percent of the counties households, with 20.2 percent of those having children under the age of 18. There is also a significant percentage of householders living alone, with over one-third of the county’s population living alone.
Table 16: Households, and Average Household Size of Valley County (U.S. Census)
HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
|
Number
|
Percent
|
Total households
|
3,248
|
3,248
|
Family households (families)
|
2,023
|
62.3%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
655
|
20.2%
|
Married-couple family
|
1,657
|
51.0%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
433
|
13.3%
|
Male householder, no wife present, family
|
94
|
2.9%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
27
|
0.8%
|
Female householder, no husband present, family
|
272
|
8.4%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
195
|
6.0%
|
Nonfamily households
|
1,225
|
37.7%
|
Householder living alone
|
1,177
|
36.2%
|
65 years and over
|
515
|
15.9%
|
HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
|
|
|
Total households
|
3,248
|
3,248
|
Family households (families)
|
2,023
|
62.3%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
655
|
20.2%
|
Married-couple family
|
1,657
|
51.0%
|
With own children under 18 years
|
433
|
13.3%
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
3.3.6 PopulationProjections
Population projections by county were released by the US Census in 2010. You can see the projections in the table below. Note that the population projection for the county by 2060 is projected to only increase by about 500 hundred people. This is not a significant increase in population, however, the population is projected to hit over 8,000 citizens in 2030.
Table 17: Population Projections for Valley County
County
|
Population 2010
|
Projected
2020
|
Projected
2030
|
Projected
2040
|
Projected
2050
|
Projected
2060
|
Valley County
|
7,376
|
8,074
|
8,178
|
7,938
|
7,667
|
7,813
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
3.3.7 Special Populations Special Population is a term used to express a disadvantaged group for example populations with disabilities, minors, and the elderly. Special populations often require accommodations for physical, mental or emotional differences. Emergency service providers must carefully consider special populations. The following tables illustrate four subgroups of special populations in Valley County, elderly, children, female and individuals with a disability. The first table outlines the number of households with children. The factors that make this table noteworthy, is the majority of households with children are married couples. However, single mothers make up a significant subset of the households with children. Table 18: Children Subject | 2010 Census Data (US Census Bureau) | Percent of Total Households | Family households with children | 655 | 20.2% | Married couples with children | 433 | 13.3% | | 195 | 6.0 | Single fathers with children | 27 | 0.8% |
Source: U.S. Census 2010
The elderly table is a recap of earlier stated county population data of just the 65 years old and older population. Currently, the number of 65 and older make up 20.6% of the total county population, but this number will increase exponentially as the baby boomers age. The elderly population makes up one-fifth of the total population currently in the county. Table 19: Elderly
Age Group
|
Number
|
Percentage
|
65 to 69 years
|
408
|
5.5%
|
70 to 74 years
|
363
|
4.9%
|
75 to 79 years
|
294
|
4.0%
|
80 to 84 years
|
207
|
2.8%
|
85 years and over
|
253
|
3.4%
|
Total
|
1525
|
20.6%
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
The female population table represents the number of females in the county. An interesting point shown in this table is that the female population is slightly more than half of the total population in the county. Table 20: Females
Female population
|
Number
|
Percent
|
Total Female Population
|
3,705
|
50.3%
|
Under 5 years
|
215
|
2.9%
|
5 to 9 years
|
234
|
3.2%
|
10 to 14 years
|
231
|
3.1%
|
15 to 19 years
|
245
|
3.3%
|
20 to 24 years
|
121
|
1.6%
|
25 to 29 years
|
174
|
2.4%
|
30 to 34 years
|
154
|
2.1%
|
35 to 39 years
|
191
|
2.6%
|
40 to 44 years
|
192
|
2.6%
|
45 to 49 years
|
297
|
4.0%
|
50 to 54 years
|
289
|
3.9%
|
55 to 59 years
|
295
|
4.0%
|
60 to 64 years
|
254
|
3.4%
|
65 to 69 years
|
201
|
2.7%
|
70 to 74 years
|
189
|
2.6%
|
75 to 79 years
|
153
|
2.1%
|
80 to 84 years
|
114
|
1.5%
|
85 years and over
|
156
|
2.1%
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
Table 21 outlines the population in Valley County with a disability. The table is an overview of the total of those with a disability condition. According to the 2010 US Census 1,067 persons (14.5%) in Valley County have a disability.
Total Civilian Non-Institutionalized Population
|
7,368
|
100%
|
With a disability
|
1,067
|
14.5%
|
Under 18 years
|
1,673
|
-
|
With a disability
|
105
|
6.3%
|
18 to 64 years
|
4,180
|
-
|
With a disability
|
426
|
10.2%
|
65 years and over
|
1,515
|
-
|
With a disability
|
536
|
35.4%
|
Source: U.S. Census 2010
According to the US Census Bureau, 1.0% of Valley County’s population is considered institutionalized. Table 22: Institutionalized Population Subject | 2010 Census Data (US Census Bureau) | Percentage | Institutionalized | 76 | 1.0% | Male | 25 | 0.3% | Female | 51 | 0.7% | The American Community Survey shows 13.5% of Valley County is living in poverty. Table 23: Valley County Poverty Subject | 2009-2013 Percentage Montana | 2009-2013 Percentage Valley County | Population in Poverty | 15.2% | 13.5% |
Source: American Community Survey
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