Mineral County is one of 56 counties in Montana. The
estimated population in 2004 was 3,879. This was a decrease of -.13%
from the 2000 census. In 2002, the per capita personal income in Mineral County
was $20,619. This was an increase of 42.5% from 1997. The 2002 figure was 67%
of the national per capita income, which was $30,906.
Mineral County is located in Western Montana near Idaho between
Missoula, Montana and Spokane Washington. Mineral County is full of
opportunity. The people are friendly and the climate is inviting. There
are several separate, but intertwined communities within the county; The West
End (Haugan, Saltese, DeBorgia), and the East end, St. Regis, Alberton, and the county seat, Superior. The county
contains 1,223 square miles, with the majority of the land surface contained
within the Lolo National Forest and
located through a narrow valley separated by the Clark Fork and St. Regis
Rivers. The Clark Fork River carries more water than any other river in
Montana. The entire county is heavily forested with ponderosa pine (the state
tree), lodge pole pine, fir, larch, white pine and cedar. The area is high in
minerals and contains many unpatented mining claims. Mineral County became an
independent county in 1914, with Superior as the County seat, and boasts a
lively history before and since. It has hosted a gold rush, seen the
building of two transcontinental railroads, experienced the trauma of the 1910 fire,
and witnessed the destruction of several floods of the St. Regis and Clark Fork
Rivers, as well as being the home to many Civilian Conservation Corps workers
during the Great Depression. The historic John Mullan
Road was built here in 1859-60 and the Yellowstone Trail in 1917.
The County offers extensive recreation areas for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and some fantastic
whitewater adventure. Winter activities abound in the Superior area.
Cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating and well
maintained roads all winter long assure you of finding the perfect spot for
winter fun. A short drive -in just about any direction will put you at some of
the finest downhill ski runs in the country. Summertime offers the angler some
of the best trout fishing to be found anywhere. Hiking and backpacking will
take you into areas with isolated alpine lakes and serene beauty. Whitewater
rafting, swimming, biking, camping and just about any other outdoor activity
you can think of will make your time pass all too quickly. At day's end you'll
find rest comes easy with cool night time temperatures; clean mountain air and
only the sound of the wind in the pines to lull you to sleep. You'll find
yourself at peace after an eventful day in our portion of the Big Sky Country.
In addition to the County seat (Superior), Mineral County is also home to the towns of Alberton,
DeBorgia, St. Regis, Tarkio, Haugan, and Saltese. For more information on Mineral County,
http://www.thebigsky.net/mineralchamber,
and MineralCounty.info.
For information on Schools in Mineral County, please see the Mineral
County Schools website.
