Wibaux County, Montana

Wibaux County ( ) is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 937, making it the fourth-least populous county in Montana. Its county seat is Wibaux.

History

Wibaux County was created by the Montana Legislature in 1914 from parts of Dawson, Fallon, and Richland Counties. The name comes from Pierre Wibaux (1858–1913), a late 19th-century cattle baron and friend of Theodore Roosevelt whose ranch was just over the border (in Dakota Territory, later North Dakota). According to legend, Pierre Wibaux's cowboys surrounded the town of Mingusville, and wouldn't let anyone enter or leave town unless they signed a petition changing the name of the town to Wibaux. Upon his death, his ashes were spread over a hill west of Wibaux. Today, a statue of Pierre Wibaux stands on that hill.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.07%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Montana by land area.

Adjacent counties

Richland County – north
Dawson County – northwest
Prairie County – west
Fallon County – south
Golden Valley County, North Dakota – east
McKenzie County, North Dakota – northeast

Major highways

20px Interstate 94
20px U.S. Highway 10 (Former)
20px Montana Highway 7

National protected area

Lamesteer National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Communities

Town

Wibaux (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

Carlyle
St. Phillip
Yates