Welcome to Powder River County

Published: 2022
By Mary Rumph

Powder River County is a rural, agricultural county of 3,297 square miles in southeastern Montana. The county was named for the gunpowder-colored sand on the banks of the Powder River, which runs through it. The total acres in Powder River County equals 2,109,728 million, most of which are used for rangeland purposes. The population of Powder River County is 1,694, according to the 2020 census. Powder River County is primarily rural and agricultural. There is limited oil and timber production. Most of Powder River County is grazing land. Since 1954, farm acreage has fluctuated between 1.54 and 1.72 million acres. The number of ranches has decreased, and the average ranch size continues to increase.