Welcome to Blaine County

Published: 2022
By Julianne Snedigar

Blaine County is located in North Central Montana. The Missouri River is the southern boundary, and the Canadian border provides the northern boundary. Two small mountain ranges, the Bear Paw and Little Rockies, are located within the county. Blaine County encompasses 4,267 square miles or 2.713 million acres. Agriculture is the backbone of Blaine County, with cattle, sheep, wheat, and barley being the primary enterprises. An irrigated alfalfa/grass hay base along the Milk River is enhanced by irrigation supplied by the Corps of Engineers St. Mary’s diversion project. Population in Blaine County stands at just over 7,000 people according to the 2020 census. Tourism and hunting contribute to the economy of Blaine County as well. Blaine County MSU Extension serves the community through various programs from two full-time Extension Agents and a full-time administrative/ 4-H assistant. Programs are concentrated in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community Development. The MSU Extension program is supported through an annual county budget which includes a portion of the agent’s salary and Montana State University's (USDA funds) direct support of the agent’s salary. MSU also supports the program indirectly, and the county benefits with returned services for every dollar invested. This partnership between MSU, USDA, and Blaine County provides citizens access to high-quality education and research-based knowledge from the state’s land-grant university system.