Circle, Montana

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Circle is a town in and the county seat of McCone County, Montana, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The population was 591 at the 2020 census.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref>

The community was so named because a rancher there branded his cattle with the image of a circle.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="mhs">Template:Cite web</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 built a new station.

In 1951 oil was discovered southeast of Circle.<ref name="Mis">Template:Cite web</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">Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, 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.

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.Template:Citation needed

Climate

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

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="2010 Census">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 615 people, 278 households, and 159 families living in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 343 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 644 people, 291 households, and 185 families living in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 384 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Circle Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.<ref name="cps">Template:Cite web</ref> The team name for Circle High School is the Wildcats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, the high school had 64 students and 6.75 full-time equivalency teachers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media

The newspaper for McCone County is The Circle Banner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is published weekly.

The FM radio station KMGT is licensed in Circle.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.

Notable people

• Ron Ehli, politician
• Alzira Peirce, artist
• David Rorvik, writer
• Jerry Schillinger, politician

External links

• Template:Official website
• Circle Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture