Hardin, Montana

The city was named for Samuel Hardin, a friend of developer Charles Henry Morrill.{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27740|title=Profile for Hardin, Montana|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=2010-05-28|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609014638/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27740|url-status=dead}} It was incorporated in 1911.{{cite web |title=Hardin |url=http://mtplacenames.org/ |website=Montana Place Names Companion |publisher=Montana Historical Society |access-date=5 April 2021}} Thomas D. Campbell operated the nation's largest wheat farm on 95,000 acres near here and pioneered the use of industrial machinery in farming. The Holly Sugar Company established a sugar beet–processing plant in Hardin in 1937.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{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/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}

The Little Bighorn River empties into the Bighorn River east of town.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hardin has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

{{Weather box

|location = Hardin, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 70

|Feb record high F = 74

|Mar record high F = 84

|Apr record high F = 96

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 106

|Jul record high F = 112

|Aug record high F = 109

|Sep record high F = 104

|Oct record high F = 94

|Nov record high F = 81

|Dec record high F = 72

|Jan avg record high F = 56.7

|Feb avg record high F = 60.8

|Mar avg record high F = 72.6

|Apr avg record high F = 82.3

|May avg record high F = 88.2

|Jun avg record high F = 97.0

|Jul avg record high F = 101.7

|Aug avg record high F = 100.7

|Sep avg record high F = 95.9

|Oct avg record high F = 83.6

|Nov avg record high F = 69.1

|Dec avg record high F = 58.9

|year avg record high F = 103.0

|Jan high F = 36.4

|Feb high F = 41.1

|Mar high F = 52.8

|Apr high F = 62.1

|May high F = 71.4

|Jun high F = 81.0

|Jul high F = 90.7

|Aug high F = 89.7

|Sep high F = 79.1

|Oct high F = 63.6

|Nov high F = 48.3

|Dec high F = 38.0

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 23.7

|Feb mean F = 27.8

|Mar mean F = 37.9

|Apr mean F = 47.0

|May mean F = 56.3

|Jun mean F = 65.3

|Jul mean F = 73.1

|Aug mean F = 71.5

|Sep mean F = 61.6

|Oct mean F = 48.2

|Nov mean F = 34.9

|Dec mean F = 25.5

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 10.9

|Feb low F = 14.5

|Mar low F = 23.1

|Apr low F = 31.8

|May low F = 41.2

|Jun low F = 49.7

|Jul low F = 55.5

|Aug low F = 53.3

|Sep low F = 44.1

|Oct low F = 32.8

|Nov low F = 21.5

|Dec low F = 12.9

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -15.7

|Feb avg record low F = -8.7

|Mar avg record low F = 1.6

|Apr avg record low F = 18.5

|May avg record low F = 28.9

|Jun avg record low F = 39.8

|Jul avg record low F = 47.5

|Aug avg record low F = 44.2

|Sep avg record low F = 32.5

|Oct avg record low F = 16.0

|Nov avg record low F = -0.4

|Dec avg record low F = -10.2

|year avg record low F = -23.4

|Jan record low F = -43

|Feb record low F = -38

|Mar record low F = -31

|Apr record low F = -1

|May record low F = 15

|Jun record low F = 30

|Jul record low F = 34

|Aug record low F = 30

|Sep record low F = 15

|Oct record low F = -14

|Nov record low F = -31

|Dec record low F = -47

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.50

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.55

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.89

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.50

|May precipitation inch = 2.52

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.92

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.28

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.86

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.36

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.36

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.52

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.49

|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 6.0

|Feb snow inch = 6.2

|Mar snow inch = 3.4

|Apr snow inch = 1.3

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 1.6

|Nov snow inch = 3.1

|Dec snow inch = 6.3

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 5.2

|Feb precipitation days = 5.0

|Mar precipitation days = 5.5

|Apr precipitation days = 7.0

|May precipitation days = 8.7

|Jun precipitation days = 8.1

|Jul precipitation days = 5.4

|Aug precipitation days = 4.1

|Sep precipitation days = 5.4

|Oct precipitation days = 6.6

|Nov precipitation days = 5.0

|Dec precipitation days = 4.1

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 3.3

|Feb snow days = 3.3

|Mar snow days = 1.8

|Apr snow days = 0.6

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.6

|Nov snow days = 1.4

|Dec snow days = 2.4

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00243915&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 = August 5, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=byz

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data

|access-date = August 5, 2022

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1920= 1312

|1930= 1169

|1940= 1886

|1950= 2306

|1960= 2789

|1970= 2733

|1980= 3300

|1990= 2940

|2000= 3384

|2010= 3505

|2020= 3818

|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 3,505 people, 1,301 households, and 850 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1363.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,401 housing units at an average density of {{convert|545.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 49.8% White, 0.7% African American, 40.8% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1% of the population.

There were 1,301 households, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% 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 3,384 people, 1,295 households, and 868 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,415.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,411 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,007.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 62.26% White, 0.12% African American, 31.59% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.03% from other races, and 4.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.53% of the population.

There were 1,295 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,018, and the median income for a family was $33,729. Males had a median income of $28,493 versus $19,444 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,041. About 17.2% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.1% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

The city developed an 800 acre industrial park.{{cite web |title=Two Rivers Authority |url=http://tworiversauthority.homestead.com/Industrial-Park.html |publisher=City of Hardin |access-date=9 October 2023}} It has access to Interstate and rail.

Hardin hosts a bitcoin mining facility by Marathon Patent Group, according to a press release by the company in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/bitmain-ships-4000-antminer-s-19-pro-asic-miners-to-marathon-patent-group-2021-02-01|title= Bitmain Ships 4,000 Antminer S-19 Pro ASIC Miners to Marathon Patent Group |website=nasdaq.com|publisher=Globe Newswire|date=2021-02-01}}

{{Main|Two Rivers Detention Facility}}

In 2004–05, a consortium including architectural, bond sellers and contractors located in Texas, promoting the construction of speculative prison and jail ventures {{Citation| last = Hodai | first = Beau | title = The Rainmakers - Banking on Private Prisons in the Fleecing of Small Town America | magazine = In These Times| date = March 3, 2010 | url = http://inthesetimes.com/article/5578/the_rainmakers}} convinced Hardin's industrial development authority to float a $27 million bond issuance to build the Two Rivers Detention Facility. It was designed for 464 inmates, and was to be located on a {{convert|40|acre|m2|adj=on}} sugar beet field. The facility was slated to open in July 2007 but the state of Montana would not approve it.{{citation | title = Hardin Has Gitmo Aspirations | date = 2 May 2009| url = http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/hardin_has_gitmo_aspirations/10036/}} The Authority bonds defaulted on May 1, 2008.[http://www.trib.com/articles/2008/05/29/news/wyoming/e0fc15efa1122445872574570081efb9.txt Wyoming Won’t Put Prisoners in Montana Jail]{{citation | title = Hardin jail hopes to house sex offenders | url = http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?s=7390474}} The consortium's contract terminated in January 2009 without any prisoners ever being housed in the jail.{{Citation|last=Shay |first=Becky |title=Hardin prison drawing media attention from around globe |newspaper=Billings Gazette |date=May 11, 2009 |url=http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/11/news/state/18-hardin.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514062524/http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/11/news/state/18-hardin.txt |archive-date=May 14, 2009 }}Dawson, Pat. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20090506034416/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1894373,00.html?xid=rss-topstories-cnnpartner The Montana Town That Wanted to Be Gitmo]." TIME. Sunday May 3, 2009. Retrieved on May 3, 2009.

In November 2009 the Two Rivers Board hired its fifth director. A reserve fund of $814,000 was earmarked to maintain the building for possible future use.{{citation | title = Hard time in Hardin| url = http://www.billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_e4684f94-fe63-11de-afdd-001cc4c03286.html}} It remained complete and vacant for over seven years, though it was partially filled for 18 months. By February 2016, empty once again, it had cost the city $582,595 paid to Two Rivers to maintain it since 2004.[http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/hardin-jail-population-drops-to-zero/article_ef24926e-4d34-5fff-bd2d-4daabb2b02c7.html Regional Hardin Jail Population drops to Zero], Billings Gazette, Matt Hudson, February 4, 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Due to unpaid interest on the defaulted bonds, its estimated indebtedness had increased to over $40 million by December 2015.[http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/lacking-prisoners-hardin-jail-closes-again/article_863b6ca9-cbce-51a7-8b1d-0d4b4f962561.html Lacking prisoners Hardin jail closes again], Billings Gazette, Matt Hudson, April 29, 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.

In April 2019, the Bureau of Indian Affairs took possession and began operations. The name was changed to the Rocky Mountain Regional Detention Facility.{{cite web |title=Two Rivers Authority |url=http://tworiversauthority.homestead.com |publisher=City of Hardin |access-date=9 October 2023}}

The Big Horn County Historical Museum is located in Hardin. It sits on 35 acres and has 24 historic structures.{{cite web |title=Walk Through History |url=https://www.bighorncountymuseum.org/ |publisher=Big Horn County Historical Museum |access-date=9 October 2023}}

The Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture conducts the annual Little Big Horn Days festival the 3rd weekend in June. It includes the Custer's Last Stand Reenactment written by Joe Medicine Crow. There is also a PRCA rodeo and Crow Native Days.

The Big Horn County Library operates in Hardin.{{cite web |title=Library |url=https://www.bighorncountymt.gov/departments/library/ |publisher=Big Horn County Montana |access-date=12 April 2021}}

The Hardin School Districts educate students from kindergarten to 12th grade.{{cite web |title=Hardin School District 17H & 1 |url=https://www.hardin.k12.mt.us/ |publisher=Hardin Public Schools |access-date=12 April 2021}} The Hardin Elementary School District has 5 schools. Hardin High School had 529 students enrolled in the 2021-2022 school year.{{cite web |title=Hardin High School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?ID=301334000397 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=9 October 2023}} Their team name is the Bulldogs.{{cite web |title=Member Schools |url=https://www.mhsa.org/memberschools |publisher=Montana High School Association |access-date=19 April 2021}}

• KHDN 1230 AM{{cite web |title=KHDN |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=5298 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}} has a news talk information format.
• KNPC 88.5 FM{{cite web |title=KNPC |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=177237 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}} has a religious format.
• KRWS-LP 100.7 FM{{cite web |title=KRWS-LP |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=134773 |publisher=FCC |access-date=9 October 2023}} has an oldies format.

• Big Horn County News{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://www.bighorncountynews.com/ |publisher=Big Horn County News |access-date=9 October 2023}}
• The Original Briefs{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://www.originalbriefs.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429052244/http://www.originalbriefs.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 29, 2004 |publisher=Original Briefs |access-date=9 October 2023}}

Interstate 90 passes the northern part of town from east to west. It is also served by Old US Route 87 as a frontage road as well as secondary highways 216, 236, 307, 313, and 384.

Big Horn County Airport is a public use airport located 3 miles west of town.{{cite web |title=Airport |url=https://www.bighorncountymt.gov/158/Airport |publisher=Big Horn County |access-date=9 October 2023}} The nearest commercial airport is Billings Logan International Airport.

• Kroy Biermann, NFL defensive end
• Bill Christiansen, 25th Lieutenant Governor of Montana
• Kendall Cross, Olympic Gold Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling
• Tim Fox, Attorney General of Montana

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.hardinmt.com/}}

{{Big Horn County, Montana}}

{{Montana county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:County seats in Montana

Category:Cities in Big Horn County, Montana

Category:Cities in Montana