Welcome to Beaverhead County

Published: 2019
By Jessica Murray

Founded in 1865, Beaverhead County is Montana’s largest with an area of 5,571 square miles. Of the 3.56 million acres of land, 69% is publicly-owned, which contributes to the sparse population of the county. The population density is less than 1.7 people per square mile, while the average cattle population density is 27.6 per square mile. The economy is driven largely by agriculture, mostly cattle and hay production, but tourism and recreation also contribute. Beaverhead County is the number one Montana county in beef cattle production and annual forage production.