Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
While Montana did not rank among the most religious states in the U.S. this year (those would be Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas), there’s no denying that many Montanans are proud of their faith. After all, we are home to one of the country’s most majestic cathedrals, and many of us have fond memories of growing up going to church or other religious services.
USA Today published an article featuring the most religious county in every state, based on those who worship in each county as compared to those in the rest of the state. Montana’s most religious county might surprise you.
According to the data from 2018 (the most recent year available), Sheridan County is Montana's most religious county.
Sheridan County is as remote as it gets, at least for most Montanans. Its northern boundary is the Canada–United States border south of Saskatchewan, and it also borders North Dakota.
Sheridan County is home to Plentywood (its county seat), Medicine Lake, Westby, Outlook, Antelope, and Reserve.
There are also a couple of ghost towns (Dooley and Archer) and a few unincorporated communities in the area. The entire population of Sheridan County is only 3,384.
And if you drive through Plentywood, the largest city in the county, it does seem like there's a church on every corner.
Our country was founded on the principle of the separation of church and state, but part of that means that we all get to choose our religious paths (if we choose a path at all).