Hamilton, Montana | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Hamilton | |
 Location of Hamilton, Montana | |
| Coordinates:46°14′54″N114°09′40″W / 46.24833°N 114.16111°W /46.24833; -114.16111 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Ravalli |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dominic A Farrenkopf[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.60 sq mi (6.73 km2) |
| • Land | 2.54 sq mi (6.58 km2) |
| • Water | 0.058 sq mi (0.15 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,563 ft (1,086 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,659 |
| • Density | 1,832.9/sq mi (707.68/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 59840 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-33775 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410694[3] |
| Website | www |
Hamilton is a city that serves as thecounty seat ofRavalli County, Montana, United States.[4] The population was 4,659 at the2020 census.[5]
Hamilton was founded bycopper kingMarcus Daly in the late 19th century.[6] It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad.[7] Daly is said to have wanted to begin business inGrantsdale, but was denied the opportunity.
In the summer of 2000, Hamilton madeinternational headlines when forest fires throughout theBitterroot Valley filled the area with smoke and prompted the evacuation of many residents.President Clinton declared a state of emergency in the area and dispatched National Guard troops to assist with fighting the fires.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.57 square miles (6.66 km2), of which 2.53 square miles (6.55 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[8]
According to theKöppen climate classification, Hamilton has ahumid continental climate.
| Climate data for Hamilton, Montana (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.7 (2.6) | 41.8 (5.4) | 51.4 (10.8) | 59.1 (15.1) | 67.6 (19.8) | 75.2 (24.0) | 85.1 (29.5) | 83.7 (28.7) | 72.8 (22.7) | 59.3 (15.2) | 44.2 (6.8) | 34.0 (1.1) | 59.2 (15.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.8 (−7.3) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 26.9 (−2.8) | 32.7 (0.4) | 39.5 (4.2) | 45.6 (7.6) | 50.2 (10.1) | 48.6 (9.2) | 40.8 (4.9) | 31.8 (−0.1) | 24.3 (−4.3) | 16.8 (−8.4) | 33.1 (0.6) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.88 (22) | 0.86 (22) | 0.97 (25) | 0.99 (25) | 1.67 (42) | 1.61 (41) | 0.99 (25) | 1.06 (27) | 1.01 (26) | 0.76 (19) | 1.19 (30) | 1.17 (30) | 13.17 (335) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.0 (7.6) | 3.2 (8.1) | 1.5 (3.8) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 2.3 (5.8) | 3.5 (8.9) | 14.3 (36) |
| Source: NOAA[9] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 50 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,257 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,240 | 78.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,700 | −24.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,839 | 8.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,332 | 26.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,678 | 14.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,475 | −7.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,499 | 1.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,661 | 6.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,737 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 3,705 | 35.4% | |
| 2010 | 4,348 | 17.4% | |
| 2020 | 4,659 | 7.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10][5] | |||
As of thecensus[11] of 2010, there were 4,348 people, 2,175 households, and 1,006 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,718.6 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km2). There were 2,456 housing units at an average density of 970.8 per square mile (374.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0%White, 0.3%African American, 0.6%Native American, 1.4%Asian, 0.2% fromother races, and 2.5% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.1% of the population.
There were 2,175 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% weremarried couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.7% were non-families. 47.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.72.
The median age in the city was 43 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.
As of thecensus[12] of 2000, there were 3,705 people, 1,772 households, and 855 families living in the city. The population density was 1,603.6 inhabitants per square mile (619.2/km2). There were 1,915 housing units at an average density of 828.8 per square mile (320.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.22%White, 0.11%African American, 0.89%Native American, 0.78%Asian, 0.22% fromother races, and 1.78% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 1,772 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% were non-families. 47.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,013, and the median income for a family was $30,665. Males had a median income of $25,795 versus $22,138 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $14,689. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Hamilton has two microbiological research and production facilities: the government-runRocky Mountain Laboratories, and a branch ofGSK.[13] NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) completed construction of a Biosafety Level 4biohazard laboratory as part of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) facility in 2008. This facility has begun operations using highly-pathogenic organisms including theLentivirus family of viruses.[14]
Hamilton had one of the last remainingKmart stores in the United States, which was the only remaining one in the state of Montana and the entire Mountain time zone.[15] Closure was announced in January 2022, with its final day of business conducted on March 6, 2022.[16]
Hamilton's City Council has three Wards with two representatives from each Ward.[17]
TheRavalli County Museum, founded in 1955, is located in the formerRavalli County Courthouse and focuses on county history, natural history and art.[18] The Daly Mansion, home of Marcus Daly, offers tours. This mansion has over 50 rooms, 26 acres of lawns, and several outbuildings.[19]
Being located in the dramatically scenicBitterroot Valley Hamilton is a great place for outdoor activity such as nature hikes and wildlife viewing opportunities. River Park and Skalkaho Bend offer trails in town.[20]
A large skatepark, Circle 13, is at Claudia Driscoll Park.[21] It is one of the skateparks built by Montana Pool Service, a project founded byJeff Ament.[22]
The 700-seat Hamilton Performing Arts Center atHamilton High School is home for the annual Bitterroot Performing Arts Series, produced by the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council, as well as other school and public productions throughout the year.
Hamilton is located directly onU.S. Route 93. It is intersected by Montana Secondary Highway 269.
Ravalli County Airport is a public use airport 1 mile east of town.[23]
Daly Hospital, part of Bitterroot Health, provides healthcare service in Hamilton.[24]
The Bitterroot Public Library serves the town of Hamilton. It was one of the 17Carnegie libraries built in Montana.[28]
Hamilton's newspaper is theRavalli Republic.[29] It is a daily broadsheet offered as print or e-edition as well as having online news.
Five radio stations are licensed in Hamilton:KBAZ[30] with mainstream rock,KHKM[31] with adult hits,KLYQ[32] is news/talk,KMZO[33] is a religious channel, andKUFN[34] public radio.
City of Hamilton official website
Municipalities and communities ofRavalli County, Montana,United States | ||
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