Denton, Montana

Denton, Montana
Town
Location of Denton, Montana
Coordinates: 47°19′8″N109°56′48″W / 47.31889°N 109.94667°W / 47.31889; -109.94667
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Fergus
Government
• Mayor	Joel Barber
Area [1]
• Total	0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2)
• Land	0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	3,599 ft (1,097 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	205
• Density	287.52/sq mi (110.96/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59430
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-20425
GNIS feature ID	0770605 [2]

Denton is a town in Fergus County, Montana, United States. The population was 205 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

Central Montana Rail, Inc. is headquartered in Denton.

History

A post office called Denton has been in operation since 1888. ^[4] It was named after the Missouri county where the postmaster previously lived. ^[5] The town was established at its present site when the railroad was extended to that point. ^[6]

The fast-moving West Wind Fire swept through the town in December 2021. ^[7] Twelve families lost their homes. The wildfire destroyed or damaged many structures including garages, barns and grain elevators. There were no serious injuries as the town was evacuated minutes before the fire, which burned 10,000 acres (4,000 ha), reached the town. ^[8]

Geography

Montana Highway 81 passes through town. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.76 square miles (1.97 km²), all land. ^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	431		—
1930	345		−20.0%
1940	406		17.7%
1950	435		7.1%
1960	410		−5.7%
1970	398		−2.9%
1980	356		−10.6%
1990	350		−1.7%
2000	301		−14.0%
2010	255		−15.3%
2020	205		−19.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] [3]

2010 census

As of the census ^[11] of 2010, there were 255 people, 120 households, and 64 families living in the town. The population density was 335.5 inhabitants per square mile (129.5/km²). There were 156 housing units at an average density of 205.3 per square mile (79.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.2% White and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 120 households, of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.7% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the town was 44.8 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 27.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[12] of 2000, there were 301 people, 133 households, and 82 families living in the town. The population density was 395.4 inhabitants per square mile (152.7/km²). There were 158 housing units at an average density of 207.6 per square mile (80.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.34% White, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 133 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,393, and the median income for a family was $32,232. Males had a median income of $23,125 versus $16,528 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,982. About 5.9% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 2.4% of those 65 or over.

Education

Denton Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ^[13] They are known as the Trojans. ^[14] Denton High School had 19 students in 2021. ^[15]

Notable people

• Don Koehler, one of the few people on record to grow over eight feet tall.
• James A. Shelton, Navy ensign who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his service during the Battle of Midway.

See also

• Montana portal

• List of municipalities 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: Denton, Montana
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
4. "Fergus County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
5. "Denton". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
6. "Origins of Names on Milwaukee". Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times. August 22, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
7. Ragar, Shaylee (December 4, 2021). "A rare winter wildfire is a sign of climate change lengthening fire season". NPR News. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
8. Lutz, Andrea (December 4, 2021). "Loss of grain elevators big hit to farming community of Denton". KTVQ. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "Denton Public Schools". Denton Public Schools. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
14. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
15. "Denton High School Profile (2021)". Public School Review. Retrieved April 16, 2021.

External links

• Kirk Johnson (December 27, 2009). "Tough Times Test the Bonds Between a Town and Its Railroad". New York Times.