Editing Circle, Montana

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Circle, Montana
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_map                = McCone_County_Montana_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Circle_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in McCone County and the state of Montana
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Montana]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Montana|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[McCone County, Montana|McCone]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Montana |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_30.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
|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 -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US3014950&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Circle town, Montana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
|population_total         = 591
|population_density_km2   = 292.64
|population_density_sq_mi = 757.69
<!-- 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             = 2438
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|25|04|N|105|35|13|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 59215
|area_code                = [[Area code 406|406]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 30-14950
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2413204<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413204}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|mcconecountymt.com/2-uncategorised/44-circle}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Circle''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[McCone County, Montana|McCone County]], [[Montana]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archivedate=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The population was 591 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>

The community was so named because a rancher there branded his cattle with the image of a [[circle]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Moyer|first1=Armond|last2=Moyer|first2=Winifred|title=The origins of unusual place-names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89058322223;view=1up;seq=29|year=1958|publisher=Keystone Pub. Associates|page=25}}</ref><ref name="mhs">{{cite web |title=Circle |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |website=Montana Place Names Companion |publisher=Montana Historical Society |access-date=April 2, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
After arriving in 1905, the town's founder Peter Rorvik opened the post office and a general store.<ref name="mhs" /> In 1909 homesteaders began moving to the area. Then in 1914 the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] built a new station.

In 1951 oil was discovered southeast of Circle.<ref name="Mis">{{cite web |title=Circle |url=https://missouririvermt.com/community/circle |publisher=Missouri River Country Montana |access-date=September 20, 2023}}</ref> This led to a temporary population spike. The 1960 census of 1,117 was the highest ever recorded for the town.<ref name="county">{{cite web |title=About Circle, MT |url=https://mcconecountymt.com/2-uncategorised/44-circle |publisher=McCone County |access-date=September 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
Circle is in southeastern McCone County along [[Montana Highway 200]] (B Avenue), which leads east-northeast {{convert|75|mi}} to [[Sidney, Montana|Sidney]] and west {{convert|66|mi}} to [[Jordan, Montana|Jordan]]. [[Montana Highway 200S|Highway 200S]] branches off Highway 200 just east of Circle and leads southeast {{Convert|49|mi}} to [[Glendive, Montana|Glendive]]. [[Montana Highway 13|Highway 13]] leads north from Circle {{convert|53|mi}} to [[Wolf Point, Montana|Wolf Point]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|0.78|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it recorded as land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> 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, Montana|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.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Circle has a [[semi-arid climate]], abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.<ref>[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]</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Circle, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1963–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 65
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 83
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 101
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 105
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 68

|Jan avg record high F = 48.9
|Feb avg record high F = 53.2
|Mar avg record high F = 68.4
|Apr avg record high F = 78.4
|May avg record high F = 85.6
|Jun avg record high F = 93.0
|Jul avg record high F = 98.8
|Aug avg record high F = 99.0
|Sep avg record high F = 94.5
|Oct avg record high F = 81.9
|Nov avg record high F = 66.2
|Dec avg record high F = 51.9
|year avg record high F = 100.8

|Jan high F = 28.5
|Feb high F = 32.6
|Mar high F = 45.5
|Apr high F = 58.1
|May high F = 68.3
|Jun high F = 77.7
|Jul high F = 87.1
|Aug high F = 86.8
|Sep high F = 75.5
|Oct high F = 58.8
|Nov high F = 42.8
|Dec high F = 31.5
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 18.1
|Feb mean F = 22.1
|Mar mean F = 33.6
|Apr mean F = 44.9
|May mean F = 55.0
|Jun mean F = 64.3
|Jul mean F = 72.1
|Aug mean F = 71.1
|Sep mean F = 60.3
|Oct mean F = 46.0
|Nov mean F = 32.0
|Dec mean F = 21.3
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 7.8
|Feb low F = 11.5
|Mar low F = 21.6
|Apr low F = 31.7
|May low F = 41.7
|Jun low F = 50.9
|Jul low F = 57.1
|Aug low F = 55.4
|Sep low F = 45.2
|Oct low F = 33.1
|Nov low F = 21.2
|Dec low F = 11.0
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -23.3
|Feb avg record low F = -15.5
|Mar avg record low F = -5.4
|Apr avg record low F = 13.5
|May avg record low F = 25.1
|Jun avg record low F = 37.0
|Jul avg record low F = 44.5
|Aug avg record low F = 39.9
|Sep avg record low F = 27.8
|Oct avg record low F = 12.2
|Nov avg record low F = -3.7
|Dec avg record low F = -17.7
|year avg record low F = -29.9

|Jan record low F = -42
|Feb record low F = -38
|Mar record low F = -39
|Apr record low F = -9
|May record low F = 17
|Jun record low F = 27
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 27
|Sep record low F = 15
|Oct record low F = -9
|Nov record low F = -31
|Dec record low F = -46

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.40
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.37
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.49
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.38
|May precipitation inch = 2.55
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.64
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.14
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.40
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.33
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.93
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.36
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.46
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 4.6
|Feb precipitation days = 4.1
|Mar precipitation days = 4.4
|Apr precipitation days = 5.3
|May precipitation days = 7.4
|Jun precipitation days = 8.6
|Jul precipitation days = 6.6
|Aug precipitation days = 4.2
|Sep precipitation days = 4.5
|Oct precipitation days = 4.3
|Nov precipitation days = 3.7
|Dec precipitation days = 4.4

|Jan snow inch = 
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|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00241758&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 – Station: Circle, MT
|access-date = August 7, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ggw
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Glasgow
|access-date = August 7, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 519
|1940= 685
|1950= 856
|1960= 1117
|1970= 964
|1980= 931
|1990= 805
|2000= 644
|2010= 615
|2020= 591
|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|accessdate=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]]|accessdate=December 18, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 615 people, 278 households, and 159 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|788.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 343 housing units at an average density of {{convert|439.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 644 people, 291 households, and 185 families living in the town.  The population density was {{convert|815.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 384 housing units at an average density of {{convert|486.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.89% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.78% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.93% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 1.40% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=McCone County Museum |url=https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/museum/mccone-county-museum |publisher=Montana Office of Tourism |access-date=September 20, 2023}}</ref> The old Northern Pacific depot is located on site.

Every August, Circle hosts the County Fair which includes a [[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=George McCone Memorial County Library |url=https://librarytechnology.org/library/20687 |access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref>

==Education==
Circle Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref name="cps">{{cite web |title=Circle Public Schools |url=http://www.circleschools.org/ |access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref> The team name for [[Circle High School (Circle, Montana)|Circle High School]] is the Wildcats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, the high school had 64 students and 6.75 full-time equivalency teachers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Circle H S |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=300681000187 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=September 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Media==
The newspaper for McCone County is ''The Circle Banner''.<ref>{{cite web |title=About The Circle Banner |url=https://www.thecirclebanner.com/about |publisher=The Circle Banner |access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref> It is published weekly.

The FM radio station [[KMGT (FM)|KMGT]] is licensed in Circle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Renewal of License |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917679172c0176c1c40edd40d5&id=25076f917679172c0176c1c40edd40d5&goBack=N#skiptarget1 |publisher=FCC |access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=4U6 Circle Town County |url=https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=4u6 |publisher=FAA |access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref> The nearest commercial airport is [[L. M. Clayton Airport]] in [[Wolf Point, Montana|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.

==Notable people==
*[[Ron Ehli]], politician
*[[Alzira Peirce]], artist
*[[David Rorvik]], writer
*[[Jerry Schillinger]], politician

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|mcconecountymt.com/2-uncategorised/44-circle}}
* [http://www.circle-montana.com/ Circle Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture]

{{McCone County, Montana}}
{{Montana county seats}}

[[Category:Towns in McCone County, Montana]]
[[Category:County seats in Montana]]