Circle, Montana Explained

Official Name:Circle, Montana
Settlement Type:Town
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Montana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:McCone
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:2.02
Area Land Km2:2.02
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:0.78
Area Land Sq Mi:0.78
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:591
Population Density Km2:292.64
Population Density Sq Mi:757.69
Timezone:Mountain (MST)
Utc Offset:-7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:-6
Elevation M:747
Elevation Ft:2451
Coordinates:47.4169°N -105.5886°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:59215
Area Code:406
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:30-14950
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0806926

Circle is a town in and the county seat of McCone County, Montana, United States.[3] The population was 591 at the 2020 census.[4]

The community was so named because a rancher there branded his cattle with the image of a circle.[5] [6]

History

After arriving in 1905, the town's founder Peter Rorvik opened the post office and a general store. In 1909 homesteaders began moving to the area. Then in 1914 the Great Northern Railway built a new station.

In 1951 oil was discovered southeast of Circle.[7] This led to a temporary population spike. The 1960 census of 1,117 was the highest ever recorded for the town.[8]

Geography

Circle is in southeastern McCone County along Montana Highway 200 (B Avenue), which leads east-northeast to Sidney and west to Jordan. Highway 200S branches off Highway 200 just east of Circle and leads southeast to Glendive. Highway 13 leads north from Circle to Wolf Point.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.78sqmi, all of it recorded as land.[1] The Redwater River runs just east of the city, crossing into the city limits briefly. Horse Creek, a tributary of the Redwater, runs through the northern part of the city. The Redwater flows northeast to the Missouri River near Poplar.

Circle was initially formed as a ranching and farming community thanks to the wide open plains. Agriculture is still a mainstay of the economy. It is also an excellent place for big game hunting.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Circle has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[9]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 615 people, 278 households, and 159 families living in the town. The population density was 788.5PD/sqmi. There were 343 housing units at an average density of 439.7/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 278 households, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.8% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the town was 45.9 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 26% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 644 people, 291 households, and 185 families living in the town. The population density was 815.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 384 housing units at an average density of 486sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 96.89% White, 0.78% African American, 0.93% Native American, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 291 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $36,354. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $12,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,412. About 16.2% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The McCone County Museum is in Circle. It focuses on area history and includes a wildlife collection.[12] The old Northern Pacific depot is located on site.

Every August, Circle hosts the County Fair which includes a PRCA rodeo. In September they have the Town and Country Day celebration. This includes a parade, shooting events, car races, and a town BBQ.

George McCone Memorial County Library provides service to the area.[13]

Education

Circle Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.[14] The team name for Circle High School is the Wildcats.[15] In 2022, the high school had 64 students and 6.75 full-time equivalency teachers.[16]

Media

The newspaper for McCone County is The Circle Banner.[17] It is published weekly.

The FM radio station KMGT is licensed in Circle.[18] It is run by the local high school.

Infrastructure

Montana Highway 200 passes through town from north to south. The southern end of Montana Highway 13 begins in Circle.

Circle Town County Airport is a public use airport located 1 mile east of town.[19] The nearest commercial airport is L. M. Clayton Airport in Wolf Point. It has limited regional flights.

McCone County Health Center and McCone Clinic are responsible for healthcare in the region.

Mid-Rivers Communications provides for telephone, wireless, internet and cable TV service.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Montana . United States Census Bureau . May 16, 2024.
  2. Web site: P1. Race – Circle town, Montana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171). U.S. Census Bureau. May 16, 2024.
  3. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. November 2, 2021.
  5. Book: Moyer. Armond. Moyer. Winifred. The origins of unusual place-names. 1958. Keystone Pub. Associates. 25.
  6. Web site: Circle . Montana Place Names Companion . Montana Historical Society . April 2, 2021.
  7. Web site: Circle . Missouri River Country Montana . September 20, 2023.
  8. Web site: About Circle, MT . McCone County . September 20, 2023.
  9. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=72057&cityname=Circle%2C+Montana%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Circle, Montana
  10. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. December 18, 2012.
  11. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .
  12. Web site: McCone County Museum . Montana Office of Tourism . September 20, 2023.
  13. Web site: George McCone Memorial County Library . April 12, 2021.
  14. Web site: Circle Public Schools . April 12, 2021.
  15. Web site: Member Schools . Montana High School Association . April 19, 2021.
  16. Web site: Circle H S . National Center for Education Statistics . September 20, 2023.
  17. Web site: About The Circle Banner . The Circle Banner . September 2, 2023.
  18. Web site: Renewal of License . FCC . September 2, 2023.
  19. Web site: 4U6 Circle Town County . FAA . September 2, 2023.