Blaine County
countyBlaine County is located in north-central Montana, along the Canadian border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,044. The county seat is Chinook. The county is characterized by rolling prairies, the Bears Paw Mountains, and the Little Rocky Mountains. The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes, occupies a significant portion of the southeastern part of the county. Agriculture is the primary industry in Blaine County, with farming and ranching being the most common occupations. Key crops include wheat and barley, and livestock ranching is also prevalent. The main employers on the Fort Belknap Reservation are the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. Aaniiih Nakoda College is located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Blaine County is known for its wide-open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Blaine County Museum and the Wildlife Museum are located in Chinook. The county was named for James G. Blaine, a former United States Secretary of State.
Blaine County, Montana
- Classification
- County
- Country
- United States
- County
- Blaine County
- Region
- North-Central Montana
- Elevation
- 2,300 ft
- Total Area
- 4,239 sq mi
- Land Area
- 4,228 sq mi
- Water Area
- 11 sq mi
- Latitude
- 48.44
- Longitude
- -108.96
- Climate
- Semiarid climate
- Notable Features
- Milk River · Bears Paw Mountains · Little Rocky Mountains · Fort Belknap Indian Reservation
- Neighboring Areas
- Hill County, MT · Chouteau County, MT · Fergus County, MT · Phillips County, MT · Saskatchewan, Canada
- Population (2020)
- 7,044
- Est. Population (2026)
- 6,941
- Median Age
- 33.9
- Median Income
- $65,050
- Poverty Rate
- 18.29%
- Owner-Occupied
- 63.2%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- 49.0% American Indian and Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic), 44.2% White (Non-Hispanic), 3.7% Two or More Races
- Government Type
- County Commission
- Governing Body
- Blaine County Commission
- Municipal Services
- Road maintenance · Law enforcement · Public health · Emergency Management
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.6%
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture-based · Ranching
- Employment Sectors
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting · Educational Services · Public Administration
- Major Employers
- Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes · Aaniiih Nakoda College
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- School Districts
- Chinook · Harlem · Turner · Hays Lodge Pole · Bear Paw · Cleveland · North Harlem Colony · Zurich
- Colleges & Universities
- Aaniiih Nakoda College
- Transportation
- US Highway 2 · Montana Highway 66 · Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad · US/Canada Port of Entry near Turner
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal power
- Major Facilities
- Blaine County Courthouse in Chinook
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Bears Paw Mountains · Little Rocky Mountains · Fort Belknap Indian Reservation · Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
- Parks & Trails
- Zurich Park
- Founded
- 1912
- Named After
- James G. Blaine, former United States Secretary of State
- Historical Significance
- Important agricultural and ranching area with a significant Native American presence
- Key Events
- Formed from Chouteau County in 1912 · Establishment of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in 1888