:Hamilton, Montana

Image:Hamilton MT Daly Mansion 2.jpgHamilton was founded by copper king Marcus Daly in the late 19th century.{{cite web |title=Hamilton |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |website=Montana Place Names Companion |publisher=Montana Historical Society |access-date=5 April 2021}} It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad.{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27739|title=Profile for Hamilton, Montana|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=2010-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609014610/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27739|archive-date=2011-06-09|url-status=dead}} Daly is said to have wanted to begin business in the then county seat of Grantsdale, but was denied the opportunity. He supposedly founded Hamilton out of his own pocket as a reaction to being rebuffed at Grantsdale.

In the summer of 2000, Hamilton made international headlines when forest fires throughout the Bitterroot 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 the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{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 }}

According to the Köppen climate classification, Hamilton has a humid continental climate.

{{Weather box

|location = Hamilton, Montana (1981–2010)

|single line = Y

|collapsed = yes

|Jan high F = 36.7

|Feb high F = 41.8

|Mar high F = 51.4

|Apr high F = 59.1

|May high F = 67.6

|Jun high F = 75.2

|Jul high F = 85.1

|Aug high F = 83.7

|Sep high F = 72.8

|Oct high F = 59.3

|Nov high F = 44.2

|Dec high F = 34.0

|year high F = 59.2

|Jan low F = 18.8

|Feb low F = 20.7

|Mar low F = 26.9

|Apr low F = 32.7

|May low F = 39.5

|Jun low F = 45.6

|Jul low F = 50.2

|Aug low F = 48.6

|Sep low F = 40.8

|Oct low F = 31.8

|Nov low F = 24.3

|Dec low F = 16.8

|year low F = 33.1

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.88

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.86

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.97

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.99

|May precipitation inch = 1.67

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.61

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.99

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.06

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.01

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.76

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.19

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.17

|year precipitation inch= 13.17

|Jan snow inch = 3.0

|Feb snow inch = 3.2

|Mar snow inch = 1.5

|Apr snow inch = 0.3

|May snow inch = 0.2

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.1

|Nov snow inch = 2.3

|Dec snow inch = 3.5

|year snow inch = 14.3

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mso |title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = May 5, 2013}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 50

|1900= 1257

|1910= 2240

|1920= 1700

|1930= 1839

|1940= 2332

|1950= 2678

|1960= 2475

|1970= 2499

|1980= 2661

|1990= 2737

|2000= 3705

|2010= 4348

|2020= 4659

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{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}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-18}} of 2010, there were 4,348 people, 2,175 households, and 1,006 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1718.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,456 housing units at an average density of {{convert|970.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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 the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 3,705 people, 1,772 households, and 855 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,603.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,915 housing units at an average density of {{convert|828.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.22% White, 0.11% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the city was $14,689. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Hamilton is, as of 2004, home to two microbiological research and production facilities: the government-run Rocky Mountain Laboratories, and a branch of the Corixa Corporation (bought in the late 1990s from Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc.). The Corixa Corporation was bought by GlaxoSmithKline in 2005. NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) completed construction of a Biosafety Level 4 biohazard laboratory as part of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) facility in 2008. This facility has begun operations using highly-pathogenic organisms including the Lentivirus family of viruses.{{cite web|url=http://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dir/rml/pages/default.aspx|title=Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH|publisher=NIH|access-date=2012-09-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003041735/http://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dir/rml/pages/default.aspx|archive-date=2012-10-03}}

Hamilton had one of the last remaining Kmart stores in the United States, which was the only remaining one in the state of Montana and the entire Mountain time zone.{{cite web | url=https://www.kmart.com/stores/montana/hamilton/9808.html | title=Kmart}} However, plans to close the Kmart store were announced in January 2022, with its final day of business conducted on March 6, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/hamilton-kmart-to-close-in-early-march | title=Hamilton Kmart to close in early March | date=10 January 2022 }}

Dominic Farrenkopf became Mayor in 2018. Hamilton's City Council has three Wards with two representatives from each Ward.{{cite web|title=City of Hamilton - City Council|url=http://www.cityofhamilton.net/departments/council/index.html|website=City of Hamilton|publisher=City of Hamilton|access-date=8 August 2015}}

The Ravalli County Museum, founded in 1955, is located in the former Ravalli County Courthouse and focuses on county history, natural history and art.{{cite web |title=home page |url=https://ravallimuseum.org/ |publisher=Ravalli County Museum & Historical Society |access-date=26 August 2023}} The Daly Mansion, home of Marcus Daly, offers tours. This luxurious mansion has over 50 rooms, 26 acres of lawns, and several outbuildings.{{cite web |title=The Preservation of a Beautiful History |url=https://www.dalymansion.org/history-and-preservation |publisher=Daly Mansion |access-date=26 August 2023}}

Being located in the dramatically scenic Bitterroot Valley Hamilton is a great place for outdoor activity. Nature hikes and wildlife viewing opportunities are boundless. River Park and Skalkaho Bend offer trails in town.{{cite web |title=River Park & Trail |url=http://www.cityofhamilton.net/living/parks_and_recreation/river_park_and_trail.html |publisher=City of Hamilton |access-date=26 August 2023}}

A large skatepark, Circle 13, is at Claudia Driscoll Park.{{cite web |title=Hamilton Skate Park Officially a Reality |last1=Miller |first1=Katie |url=https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/2019/07/07/new-hamilton-skate-park-officially-a-reality/ |publisher=KPAX |access-date=26 August 2023}} It is one of the skateparks built by Montana Pool Service, a project founded by Jeff Ament.{{cite web |title=home page |url=https://montanapoolservice.com/ |publisher=Montana Pool Service |access-date=26 August 2023}}

The 700-seat Hamilton Performing Arts Center at Hamilton 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 on U.S. Route 93. It is intersected by Montana Secondary Highway 269.

Ravalli County Airport is a public use airport 1 mile east of town.{{FAA-airport|id=HRF|use=PU|own=PU|site=12384.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective August 10, 2023

Daly Hospital, part of Bitterroot Health, provides healthcare service in Hamilton.{{cite web |title=home page |url=https://www.bitterroothealth.org/ |publisher=Bitterroot Health |access-date=26 August 2023}}

• Hamilton High School
• The Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana is located in Hamilton.[http://www2.umt.edu/bcp/ Bitterroot College Program] In May 2012, it was renamed Bitterroot College University of Montana.[http://mus.edu/2yr/CollegeNOW/MUS-BOR-Renames-and-Rebrands-MontanaTwo-YearColleges.pdf Montana University System’s Board of Regents Approve Re-branding of Montana’s Two-Year Colleges and Programs of Higher Education, As Part of the Montana University System’s College!NOW Initiative], Helena, Montana: Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, May 25, 2012[http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2012/07/13/montana-renames-technical-colleges Montana Renames Technical Colleges], Inside Higher Ed, July 13, 2012

The Bitterroot Public Library serves the town of Hamilton. It was one of the 17 Carnegie libraries built in Montana.{{cite web |title=Bitterroot Public Library |url=https://bitterrootpubliclibrary.org/ |publisher=Bitterroot Public Library |access-date=12 April 2021}}

Hamilton's newspaper is the Ravalli Republic.{{cite web |title=News |url=https://ravallirepublic.com/ |publisher=Ravalli Republic |access-date=26 August 2023}} 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{{cite web |title=KBAZ Hamilton, MT |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/KBAZ |publisher=FCC |access-date=26 August 2023}} with mainstream rock, KHKM{{cite web |title=KHKM Hamilton, MT |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/KHKM |publisher=FCC |access-date=26 August 2023}} with adult hits, KLYQ{{cite web |title=KLYQ Hamilton, MT |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/KLYQ |publisher=FCC |access-date=26 August 2023}} is news/talk, KMZO{{cite web |title=KMZO Hamilton, MT |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/KMZO |publisher=FCC |access-date=26 August 2023}} is a religious channel, and KUFN{{cite web |title=KUFN Hamilton, MT |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/fm-profile/KUFN |publisher=FCC |access-date=26 August 2023}} public radio.

• Willy Burgdorfer,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/health/willy-burgdorfer-who-found-bacteria-that-cause-lyme-disease-is-dead-at-89.html|title=Willy Burgdorfer, Who Found Bacteria That Cause Lyme Disease, is Dead at 89|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 November 2014|last1=Yardley|first1=William}} scientist who discovered the cause of Lyme disease
• Herald Rea Cox, bacteriologist
• Marcus Daly, one of the "Copper Kings" of Butte, Montana, owned the Bitterroot Stock Farm near Hamilton
• Scott Lee Kimball,{{cite news|last=Aguilar|first=John|title=Chapter 9: Damaged|url=http://scottleekimball.com/2010/03/15/chapter-9-damaged/|newspaper=Daily Camera|date=March 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103042139/http://scottleekimball.com/2010/03/15/chapter-9-damaged/|archive-date=November 3, 2018|access-date=August 2, 2021}} Colorado-born serial killer who lived in Hamilton during his teenage years.
• Henry L. Myers,{{cite web |title=Myers, Henry Lee |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001129 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=26 August 2023}} United States Senator from Montana
• Jerry J. O'Connell, United States Representative from Montana, editor and publisher of local newspaper
• Val Skinner, golfer, winner of six LPGA Tour events
• Suzanna Son,{{cite web |last1=Feinberg |first1=Scott |title=Next Big Thing: Suzanna Son on Her Breakout Role Opposite Simon Rex in 'Red Rocket' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/suzanna-son-next-big-thing-1235050682/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=13 March 2022 |date=22 November 2021}} film actress known for Red Rocket
• Michael D. Stevens, former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

{{Reflist}}

• [http://hamiltonmontana.com/ Hamilton, Montana community website]

{{Ravalli County, Montana}}

{{Montana}}

{{Montana Regions and Towns with Breweries}}

{{Montana county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Montana

Category:Cities in Ravalli County, Montana

Category:County seats in Montana