Cardwell, Montana

Cardwell, Montana
Census-designated place
Location of Cardwell, Montana
Coordinates: 45°51′54″N111°57′32″W / 45.86500°N 111.95889°W / 45.86500; -111.95889
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Jefferson
Area [1]
• Total	2.16 sq mi (5.58 km2)
• Land	2.15 sq mi (5.56 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation [2]	4,285 ft (1,306 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	62
• Density	28.88/sq mi (11.15/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59721
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-12400
GNIS feature ID	0780936 [2]

Cardwell is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Montana, United States. The population was 62 at the 2020 census. ^[3] It is part of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The town was named for area rancher and state senator Edward Cardwell. ^[4] It is home to the annual Headwaters Country Jam music festival. ^[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Cardwell CDP has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km²), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), or 1.86%, are water. ^[6]

The Jefferson River forms the southern boundary of the community as well as the Madison County line. Cardwell is located at the mouth of Jefferson Canyon, ^[7] a stretch of the river ending near Willow Creek, Montana. The canyon area has fewer trees and wildlife compared to the rest of the river.

Lewis and Clark Caverns, about 8 miles (13 km) to the east, offer tours during the summer. The caves are home to Townsend's big-eared bats. During the development of the caverns into a state park area, the Civilian Conservations Corps used Cardwell as a base camp. ^[7]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cardwell has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. ^[8]

Climate data for Cardwell, Montana
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	36.3 (2.4)	43.2 (6.2)	48.6 (9.2)	57.6 (14.2)	67.5 (19.7)	77.2 (25.1)	84.7 (29.3)	82.9 (28.3)	72.3 (22.4)	60.4 (15.8)	44.2 (6.8)	36.7 (2.6)	59.3 (15.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	22.6 (−5.2)	29.5 (−1.4)	34.0 (1.1)	42.3 (5.7)	51.6 (10.9)	60.1 (15.6)	66.2 (19.0)	64.2 (17.9)	53.6 (12.0)	43.5 (6.4)	33.4 (0.8)	26.1 (−3.3)	43.9 (6.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	13.3 (−10.4)	17.2 (−8.2)	21.9 (−5.6)	27.9 (−2.3)	35.8 (2.1)	43.2 (6.2)	46.4 (8.0)	44.2 (6.8)	35.2 (1.8)	27.9 (−2.3)	19.9 (−6.7)	14.4 (−9.8)	28.9 (−1.7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.4 (10)	0.3 (7)	0.5 (13)	0.9 (23)	1.6 (40)	1.7 (44)	1.3 (32)	1.5 (37)	1.5 (37)	1.1 (28)	0.4 (11)	0.3 (8)	11.5 (290)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	6.9 (17.5)	2.5 (6.3)	4.8 (12.2)	2.2 (5.6)	0.3 (0.8)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.4 (1.0)	1.1 (2.8)	2.1 (5.3)	3.4 (8.6)	23.7 (60.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0)	5	2	6	6	11	9	8	7	8	6	5	4	77
Mean daily daylight hours	9.7	10.9	12.5	14.1	15.6	16.3	15.9	14.6	13	11.4	10	9.3	12.8
Source: Weatherbase [9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2000	40		—
2010	50		25.0%
2020	62		24.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]

As of the census ^[11] of 2000, there were 40 people, 19 households, and 9 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 17.5 inhabitants per square mile (6.8/km²). There were 19 housing units at an average density of 8.3 per square mile (3.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.50% White, 2.50% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.

There were 19 households, out of which 10.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% were non-families. 42.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 2.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,250, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,716. There were no families and 9.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 60.0% of those over 64.

Education

The school districts for the community are Cardwell Elementary School District and Whitehall High School District ^[12] The high school district is a part of Whitehall Public Schools. ^[13]

Grades K-8 attend Cardwell School. In 2022, there were 6 teachers and 34 students at the school. ^[14]

Grades 9-12 attend Whitehall High School. ^[15] In 2022, there were 8 teachers and 130 students. ^[16]

Media

Cardwell licenses radio station KEAC-LP, at 106.1 MHz, which is part of the Jefferson County Radio network. ^[17] It airs classic country music, emergency messages, and public interest items.

Infrastructure

Interstate 90 forms the northern edge of the community, with access from Exit 256 (Montana Highway 359). I-90 leads east 52 miles (84 km) to Bozeman and west 33 miles (53 km) to Butte.

Montana Highway 2 parallels I-90 on the northern edge of town.

The nearest airport is Bert Mooney Airport in Butte. Butte also offers the nearest medical care facilities.

Notable person

Prominent American newscaster Chet Huntley was born in Cardwell in 1911. ^[18]

See also

• Montana portal

• List of census-designated places in Montana

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cardwell, Montana
3. "Cardwell CDP, Montana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
4. "Cardwell". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
5. Johnson, Riley (July 1, 2024). "Headwaters Country Jam 2024: What You Need To Know". Country Thang Daily. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Cardwell CDP, Montana". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
7. "Cardwell Montana". Southwest Montana. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
8. Climate Summary for Cardwell, Montana
9. "Cardwell, Montana Travel Weather Averages". Weatherbase. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson County, MT" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 4, 2024. - Text list
13. "Directory of Montana Schools". Montana Office of Public Instruction. March 13, 2024. pp. 143/317. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
14. "Cardwell School". NCES. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
15. "High School Districts" (PDF). Jefferson County. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
16. "Whitehall High School". NCES. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
17. "KEAC-LP". FCC. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
18. "Chet Huntley Papers, circa 1912-2017". Orbis Cascade Alliance. Retrieved September 17, 2023.

External links

Media related to Cardwell, Montana at Wikimedia Commons