Editing Choteau, Montana

{{short description|City in Montana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Choteau, Montana
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Choteau MT - aerial.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Aerial view of Choteau
|image_map                = Teton_County_Montana_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Choteau_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Choteau, Montana
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Montana|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flagicon|Montana}} [[Montana]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Teton County, Montana|Teton]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 5, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 3.77
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.46
|area_land_km2            = 3.77
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.46
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_total         = 1721
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_density_km2   = 456.63
|population_density_sq_mi = 1182.82
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 3816
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|48|49|N|112|10|46|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 59422
|area_code                = [[Area code 406|406]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 30-14650
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2409458<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409458}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://choteaumt.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Choteau''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Teton County, Montana|Teton County]], [[Montana]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503072804/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 3, 2015 }}</ref> The population was 1,721 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref>

Choteau is named after French fur merchant, trader and explorer [[Pierre Chouteau, Jr.]], who is also the namesake of [[Chouteau County, Montana|Chouteau County]], Montana.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ccY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=2RAGAAAAIBAJ&pg=487%2C2128045|title=Origins of Names on Milwaukee|work=Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times|date=August 22, 1940|access-date=April 27, 2015|pages=6}}</ref> [[Fort Pierre, South Dakota]], and [[Pierre, South Dakota]], are also named after Chouteau. Originally a trading post established by A. B. Hamilton in 1873, the town was platted in 1883.<ref name="mhs">{{cite web |title=Choteau |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |website=Montana Place Names Companion |publisher=Montana Historical Society |access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|1.83|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

The [[Teton River (Montana)|Teton River]] runs nearby, although for some distance upstream of Choteau it is dry during much of the year.

Being located along the [[Rocky Mountain Front]], Choteau is near several mountains. Some of them are [[Mount Frazier (Montana)|Mount Frazier]], [[Old Baldy (Montana)|Old Baldy]], and [[Rocky Mountain (Montana)|Rocky Mountain]]. The [[Ear Mountain (Montana)|Ear Mountain]] Wildlife Management Area seeks to protect local wildlife, especially [[mule deer]] and [[bighorn sheep]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ear Mountain Wildlife Management Area |url=https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/landsMgmt/siteDetail.action?lmsId=39753630 |publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref>

About {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} west is the [[Teton Pass Ski Area]]. The area has downhill skiing, backcountry skiing, and snowmobile trails.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teton Pass Ski Area |url=https://www.visitmt.com/listings/ski-area/downhill-ski-area/teton-pass-ski-area |publisher=Montana Office of Tourism |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>

Just to the south is Freezout Lake, a bird watcher's paradise. Hundreds of thousands of birds gather at the lake during peak migration.<ref name="FWP">{{cite web |title=Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area |url=https://mtfwp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=24465f5b7a17488da29b447fa2811107&fbclid=IwAR3EK6t7iF1PME5RxO22NLEhOt-ku1f_DDuWgIRhFCnW-Be46ZnFzamiZtY |publisher=Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> 230 species have been documented at the lake.<ref name="FWP" />

===Climate===
Choteau experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk'') with cold, dry winters and warm, more humid summers.

{{Weather box
| location = Choteau, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high F = 79
| Feb record high F = 73
| Mar record high F = 82
| Apr record high F = 86
| May record high F = 92
| Jun record high F = 98
| Jul record high F = 105
| Aug record high F = 106
| Sep record high F = 96
| Oct record high F = 90
| Nov record high F = 80
| Dec record high F = 72
| Jan avg record high F = 58.4
| Feb avg record high F = 58.4
| Mar avg record high F = 65.8
| Apr avg record high F = 74.0
| May avg record high F = 81.5
| Jun avg record high F = 86.0
| Jul avg record high F = 93.0
| Aug avg record high F = 91.8
| Sep avg record high F = 87.2
| Oct avg record high F = 78.1
| Nov avg record high F = 66.0
| Dec avg record high F = 57.3
| year avg record high F = 93.2
| Jan high F = 37.4
| Feb high F = 38.9
| Mar high F = 47.0
| Apr high F = 55.8
| May high F = 65.1
| Jun high F = 72.3
| Jul high F = 82.0
| Aug high F = 81.0
| Sep high F = 71.6
| Oct high F = 58.0
| Nov high F = 45.0
| Dec high F = 37.4
| year high F = 
| Jan mean F = 25.4
| Feb mean F = 26.5
| Mar mean F = 34.0
| Apr mean F = 42.4
| May mean F = 51.1
| Jun mean F = 58.2
| Jul mean F = 65.2
| Aug mean F = 64.0
| Sep mean F = 55.7
| Oct mean F = 44.3
| Nov mean F = 33.3
| Dec mean F = 26.0
| year mean F = 
| Jan low F = 13.4
| Feb low F = 14.2
| Mar low F = 21.0
| Apr low F = 28.9
| May low F = 37.0
| Jun low F = 44.1
| Jul low F = 48.3
| Aug low F = 46.9
| Sep low F = 39.8
| Oct low F = 30.6
| Nov low F = 21.6
| Dec low F = 14.6
| year low F = 
| Jan avg record low F = -16.1
| Feb avg record low F = -11.3
| Mar avg record low F = -4.0
| Apr avg record low F = 11.7
| May avg record low F = 24.0
| Jun avg record low F = 33.4
| Jul avg record low F = 38.8
| Aug avg record low F = 37.1
| Sep avg record low F = 26.8
| Oct avg record low F = 10.0
| Nov avg record low F = -3.6
| Dec avg record low F = -12.0
| year avg record low F = -24.8
| Jan record low F = -44
| Feb record low F = -50
| Mar record low F = -36
| Apr record low F = -16
| May record low F = 8
| Jun record low F = 28
| Jul record low F = 28
| Aug record low F = 28
| Sep record low F = -5
| Oct record low F = -15
| Nov record low F = -30
| Dec record low F = -43
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.28
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.41
| Mar precipitation inch = 0.52
| Apr precipitation inch = 1.15
| May precipitation inch = 2.14
| Jun precipitation inch = 2.75
| Jul precipitation inch = 0.99
| Aug precipitation inch = 1.06
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.16
| Oct precipitation inch = 0.74
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.41
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.32
| year precipitation inch = 
| Jan snow inch = 6.4
| Feb snow inch = 7.6
| Mar snow inch = 8.1
| Apr snow inch = 6.6
| May snow inch = 1.4
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.9
| Oct snow inch = 4.2
| Nov snow inch = 6.9
| Dec snow inch = 5.4
| year snow inch = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 4.7
| Feb precipitation days = 6.2
| Mar precipitation days = 5.9
| Apr precipitation days = 7.6
| May precipitation days = 8.9
| Jun precipitation days = 10.8
| Jul precipitation days = 6.0
| Aug precipitation days = 7.0
| Sep precipitation days = 6.0
| Oct precipitation days = 6.1
| Nov precipitation days = 5.2
| Dec precipitation days = 4.8
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 5.4
| Feb snow days = 6.0
| Mar snow days = 4.9
| Apr snow days = 3.1
| May snow days = 0.6
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.3
| Oct snow days = 2.1
| Nov snow days = 4.4
| Dec snow days = 5.3
| source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00241737&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access
|access-date = September 4, 2022
}}
</ref>
| source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=tfx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = September 4, 2022
}}
</ref>
| source = 
| width = 100%
| collapsed = Y
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 1043
|1930= 926
|1940= 1181
|1950= 1618
|1960= 1966
|1970= 1586
|1980= 1798
|1990= 1741
|2000= 1781
|2010= 1684
|2020= 1721
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="2010 Census">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-18}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,684 people, 791 households, and 441 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|920.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 888 housing units at an average density of {{convert|485.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 791 households, of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.2% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 49.1 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 29.8% were from 45 to 64; and 25.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,781 people, 807 households, and 464 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 994.3 people per square mile ({{#expr: ((1/2.59)*994.3) round 1 }}/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 897 housing units at an average density of 500.8 per square mile ({{#expr: ((1/2.59)*500.8) round 1 }}/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 93.94% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.06% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.92% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.22% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.75% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 807 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% 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 2.13 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there ware 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,708, and the median income for a family was $35,655. Males had a median income of $22,429 versus $17,098 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,999. About 12.7% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 30.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.5% of those 65 and older.

==Arts and culture==
Choteau is part of the [[Montana Dinosaur Trail]]. The town is near one of the world's most important paleontology sites, [[Two Medicine Formation#Egg Mountain site|Egg Mountain]].<ref name="nps">{{cite web |last1=Dawson |first1=John |title=Egg Mountain, the Two Medicine, and the Caring Mother Dinosaur |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/mesozoic-egg-mountain-dawson-2014.htm |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> The Old Trail Museum in Choteau is home to the Montana state fossil, the [[Maiasaura]]. The 3-D display can be viewed during the summer operating season. Also showcased is the Egg Mountain find along with a commentary on its significance in paleontology.<ref name="dino trail">{{cite web |title=Old Trail Museum |url=https://mtdinotrail.org/old-trail-museum/ |website=Montana Dinosaur Trail |publisher=Travel Montana |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= The Old Trail Museum - Maiasaura Exhibit |url= http://www.theoldtrailmuseum.com/maiasaura_exhibit.htm |access-date= 17 January 2010 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090722100252/http://www.theoldtrailmuseum.com/maiasaura_exhibit.htm
 |archive-date= 22 July 2009 }}</ref> Besides dinosaurs the museum has artifacts and information about the [[Blackfeet Nation|Blackfeet]] and [[Métis]] histories, local geology, and local history.

[[Bynum, Montana|Bynum]], {{convert|13|mi|km|0}} north, is home to [[The Montana Dinosaur Center]]. They have a skeletal model of what is believed to be the world's longest dinosaur, a [[diplodocus]].<ref name="hwy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/thisweek/stories/DN-dino_0518tra.ART.State.Edition1.1f64fa4.html|title='Dinosaur Highway' Rich in Dig Sites, Museums|accessdate=2008-05-27|date=2008-05-20|author=Claire Walter|work=The Dallas Morning News}}</ref>

Choteau/Teton Public Library serves the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Choteau/Teton Public Library |url=http://choteau-tetonpubliclibrary.com/ |publisher=Choteau/Teton Public Library |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Teton County Courthouse, Choteau, Montana, United States.JPG|thumb|County Courthouse in Choteau]]
Choteau has a mayor-council system of government. In 2023 the mayor was Chris Hindoien.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://choteaumt.org/contact-us/ |publisher=City of Choteau |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> Choteau is split into two wards, each with two councilmembers.

==In the news==
Choteau made national news in the U.S. because it is the town nearest to a {{convert|2700|acre|km2|0|adj=on}} ranch that [[David Letterman]] purchased in 1999 as a vacation home. Letterman has talked about the ranch on [[Late Show with David Letterman|his late-night show]] and showed photos of a black bear invading the place in September 2003.

On his first show after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Letterman gave an impassioned monologue about New York City in the aftermath. He concluded his seven-minute speech by mentioning Choteau's rally to raise money for victims of the attacks, despite the long drought there, as an example of the spirit of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Live from New York |last=Ted |work=Crooked Timber |date=September 11, 2003 |url=http://crookedtimber.org/2003/09/11/live-from-new-york/ }}</ref>

On March 19, 2009, Letterman married his girlfriend of 23 years at the [[Teton County Courthouse (Montana)|Teton County Courthouse]] in Choteau.<ref>{{cite news |title=David Letterman marries longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko |work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 24, 2009 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0324-david-letterman-ftmar24,0,1870943.story }}</ref>

In 2008, school authorities in Choteau made national news headlines by canceling a speaking engagement by Nobel laureate climate researcher [[Steve Running]], who was scheduled to speak to local high school students.<ref>{{cite news |title=Climate Talk's Cancellation Splits a Town |work=The New York Times |first=Jim |last=Robbins |date=January 17, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/17/us/17climate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin }}</ref>

==Education==
Choteau Public Schools serves all grades of children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Choteau Schools |url=http://choteauschools.net/ |publisher=Choteau Schools |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref>

In 2022, grades K-8 had 240 students with 19.5 full-time equivalency teachers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Choteau School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=300632000183 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> The high school had 107 students with 10 teachers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Choteau High School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=300633000184 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref>

==Media==
The ''Choteau Acantha'' is a newspaper printed weekly or accessed online.<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=http://www.choteauacantha.com/site/about.html |publisher=Choteau Acantha |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>

The radio stations [[LifeTalk Radio|KETI-LP]]<ref>{{cite web |title=KETI-LP |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.htoml?facilityId=194352 |publisher=FCC |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> and [[KUDI]]<ref>{{cite web |title=KUDI |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=176530 |publisher=FCC |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> are licensed in Choteau. Both are Christian stations.

==Infrastructure==
[[U.S. Route 89 in Montana|U.S. Route 89]] and [[U.S. Route 287 in Montana|287]] converge in town.

[[Choteau Airport]] is a public use airport one mile (2&nbsp;km) northeast of town.<ref>{{cite web |title=CII (KCII) |url=https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=cii |publisher=FAA |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> The nearest commercial airport is [[Great Falls International Airport]], {{convert|60|mi|km|0}} away.

Benefis Teton Medical Center provides local medical care.<ref>{{cite web |title=Benefis Teton Medical Center |url=https://www.benefis.org/teton-medical-center/benefis-teton-medical-center |publisher=Benefis |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[John E. Erickson (Montana politician)|John Edward Erickson]], [[List of Governors of Montana|Governor of Montana]], was born in Stoughton.<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_montana/col2-content/main-content-list/title_erickson_john.html|title= Montana Governor John Edward Erickson|publisher= National Governors Association|access-date= October 10, 2012}}</ref>
* [[J. Frank Glendon]], actor
* [[A. B. Guthrie Jr.]], American novelist
* [[David Letterman]], late-night talk show host
* [[Jay Neitz]], vision scientist
* [[J. K. Ralston]], western painter
* [[Flint Rasmussen]], rodeo clown
* [[Jim Waltermire]], Montana Secretary of State
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Choteau, Montana }}
* {{Official website|https://choteaumt.org/}}
* [https://choteauchamber.com Choteau Chamber of Commerce website]

{{Teton County, Montana}}
{{Montana county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Teton County, Montana]]
[[Category:County seats in Montana]]
[[Category:Cities in Montana]]