According to Countryaah, Carter County is located in the southeastern corner of Montana, and borders North Dakota to the east and South Dakota to the south. It covers an area of 1,821 square miles and has a population of around 2,000 people. The county seat is Ekalaka, which is also the largest town in the county. Other towns include Alzada, Baker, Hammond, Ismay and Kinsey.
The economy of Carter County is primarily based on agriculture with wheat being the primary crop grown in the area. Cattle ranching is also common in the county as well as some oil production. The county has a diverse wildlife population with deer, antelope, elk and wild turkeys all present in this part of Montana. There are several recreational opportunities available to visitors including hunting, fishing and camping at public parks like Custer National Forest or Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Outdoor activities such as hiking or horseback riding can also be enjoyed at local parks like Hell Creek State Park or Big Sand Coulee State Park. Carter County provides an abundance of natural beauty where visitors can take in stunning views of rolling hills covered with lush grasslands and dense forests.
History of Carter County, Montana
Carter County has a rich and varied history that spans centuries. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho before being explored by European settlers in the 1800s. In 1879, Carter County was officially established as one of Montana’s original seven counties. During this time, the county seat was moved from Ismay to Ekalaka. In the early 20th century, homesteaders and ranchers moved into the area in search of better opportunities on the Great Plains. These settlers were drawn to Carter County for its abundant natural resources and relatively mild climate compared to other parts of Montana.
In recent decades, Carter County has seen an influx of tourism due to its many outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and horseback riding. The county is also home to several historical sites including the Ekalaka Museum which houses artifacts from over 100 years ago. Additionally, there are several festivals throughout the year that celebrate local culture such as Ekalaka Days in August or Hell Creek Fest in October.
Today, Carter County is a thriving community with a diverse economy built around agriculture, ranching and oil production as well as tourism and recreation. With its rich history and abundance of natural beauty, it continues to draw visitors from all over looking for an unforgettable experience in southeastern Montana.
Major cities and towns in Carter County, Montana
Carter County, Montana is home to a number of small cities and towns. The county seat is Ekalaka, the largest city in the county with a population of about 800 people as of 2019. Ekalaka is situated near the center of the county and serves as its commercial hub. Here visitors will find restaurants, stores and other amenities including a public library and post office.
Another notable city in Carter County is Ismay, located about 25 miles east of Ekalaka. This small town was established in 1879 and today it is home to about 150 people. It offers basic services such as a post office, grocery store and cafe.
Near Ismay lies Alzada, which has a population of approximately 50 people. This small town was founded by homesteaders in 1906 and retains much of its original character today including an old schoolhouse built in 1915 that still stands today.
Other cities within Carter County include Hammond, located just south of Ekalaka; Boyes, situated on the eastern border; Kinsey on the western edge; Alzada on the southern tip; Sand Coulee in the north-central part; Hammond Junction near Ismay; and Ollie near Boyes. All these towns offer basic amenities for those living or visiting here such as gas stations, restaurants and stores.
In addition to these cities, there are several unincorporated communities located throughout Carter County including Sand Springs on the northern border; Hell Creek along Hell Creek State Park; Medicine Lake which is home to Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge; O’Fallon Gulch at Big Sand Coulee State Park; Biddle near Kinsey; Hamlet along the western edge; O’Neil Junction near Boyes; Custer National Forest west of Hammond Junction; and East End at Custer National Forest’s eastern boundary line. These smaller communities provide essential services for locals while offering visitors an opportunity to experience rural life first-hand in southeastern Montana.
Population in Carter County, Montana
According to existingcountries.com, Carter County, Montana is a largely rural area located in the southeastern corner of the state. As of 2019, the county has an estimated population of 2,082 people, spread over an area of 1,841 square miles. Despite its small size and population density of just 1.1 people per square mile, Carter County is home to a diverse range of communities.
The largest city in Carter County is Ekalaka with a population of about 800 people as of 2019. This city serves as the county seat and commercial hub for the region with restaurants, stores and other amenities including a public library and post office. Other notable cities in Carter County include Ismay (population 150), Alzada (population 50), Hammond (population 35), Boyes (population 25), Kinsey (population 20) and Sand Coulee (population 10).
In addition to these small cities, there are several unincorporated communities located throughout Carter County including Sand Springs on the northern border; Hell Creek along Hell Creek State Park; Medicine Lake which is home to Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge; O’Fallon Gulch at Big Sand Coulee State Park; Biddle near Kinsey; Hamlet along the western edge; O’Neil Junction near Boyes; Custer National Forest west of Hammond Junction; and East End at Custer National Forest’s eastern boundary line. These smaller communities provide essential services for locals while offering visitors an opportunity to experience rural life first-hand in southeastern Montana.
Carter County has a population that is largely concentrated in its small cities and towns but also includes some rural residents who live outside these towns or on agricultural land throughout the county. The majority of residents are Caucasian with smaller populations from Native American tribes such as Crow and Sioux living on reservations within the county boundaries. There is also a small Hispanic/Latino community centered around Ekalaka which makes up about 2% of the total population in Carter County.
