The city was named for Samuel Hardin, a friend of developerCharles Henry Morrill.[6] It was incorporated in 1911.[7]Thomas D. Campbell operated the nation's largest wheat farm on 95,000 acres near here and pioneered the use of industrial machinery in farming.[7] TheHolly Sugar Company established a sugar beet–processing plant in Hardin in 1937.[7]
As of thecensus[12] of 2010, there were 3,505 people, 1,301 households, and 850 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,363.8 inhabitants per square mile (526.6/km2). There were 1,401 housing units at an average density of 545.1 per square mile (210.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.8%White, 0.7%African American, 40.8%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 2.2% fromother races, and 5.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 7.1% of the population.
There were 1,301 households, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% weremarried couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.29.
The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
As of thecensus[13] of 2000, there were 3,384 people, 1,295 households, and 868 families living in the city. The population density was 2,415.5 inhabitants per square mile (932.6/km2). There were 1,411 housing units at an average density of 1,007.2 per square mile (388.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 62.26%White, 0.12%African American, 31.59%Native American, 0.35%Asian, 1.03% fromother races, and 4.64% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 5.53% of the population.
There were 1,295 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% weremarried couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,018, and the median income for a family was $33,729. Males had a median income of $28,493 versus $19,444 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $13,041. About 17.2% of families and 23.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.1% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
In 2004–05, a consortium including architectural, bond sellers and contractors located in Texas, promoting the construction of speculative prison and jail ventures[16] convinced Hardin's industrial development authority to float a $27 million bond issuance to build theTwo Rivers Detention Facility. It was designed for 464 inmates, and was to be located on a 40-acre (160,000 m2) sugar beet field. The facility was slated to open in July 2007 but the state of Montana would not approve it.[17] The Authority bonds defaulted on May 1, 2008.[18][19] The consortium's contract terminated in January 2009 without any prisoners ever being housed in the jail.[20][21]
In November 2009 the Two Rivers Board hired its fifth director. A reserve fund of $814,000 was earmarked to maintain the building for possible future use.[22] It remained complete and vacant for over seven years, though it was partially filled for 18 months. By February 2016, empty once again, it had cost the city $582,595 paid to Two Rivers to maintain it since 2004.[23] Due to unpaid interest on the defaulted bonds, its estimated indebtedness had increased to over $40 million by December 2015.[24]
In April 2019, theBureau of Indian Affairs took possession and began operations. The name was changed to the Rocky Mountain Regional Detention Facility.[25]
The Big Horn County Historical Museum is located in Hardin. It sits on 35 acres and has 24 historic structures.[26]
The Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture conducts the annual Little Big Horn Days festival the 3rd weekend in June. It includes theCuster's Last Stand Reenactment written byJoe Medicine Crow. There is also aPRCA rodeo andCrow Native Days.
The Big Horn County Library operates in Hardin.[27]
The Hardin School Districts educate students from kindergarten to 12th grade.[28] The Hardin Elementary School District has 5 schools.Hardin High School had 529 students enrolled in the 2021-2022 school year.[29] Their team name is the Bulldogs.[30]