Fort Smith, Montana

Fort Smith, Montana
Census-designated place
Location of Fort Smith, Montana
Coordinates: 45°18′28″N107°55′39″W / 45.30778°N 107.92750°W / 45.30778; -107.92750
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Big Horn
Area [1]
• Total	1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2)
• Land	1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2)
• Water	0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation [2]	3,288 ft (1,002 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	170
• Density	123.19/sq mi (47.56/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59035
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-28650
GNIS feature ID	0794944 [2]

Fort Smith is a census-designated place (CDP) in Big Horn County, Montana, United States. The population was 161 at the 2010 census. ^[3] The town is named for the former Fort C.F. Smith. The North District of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is accessed at Fort Smith.

The Crow name for this town is Annu'ucheepe, “Mouth of the canyon.” ^[4]

Geography

Fort Smith is located at 45°18′28″N107°55′39″W / 45.307906°N 107.927392°W / 45.307906; -107.927392 (45.307906, -107.927392). ^[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km²), of which 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km²), or 14.90%, is water. ^[3] It is located along the Bighorn River where it exits from Bighorn Canyon. Montana Highway 313 ends at Fort Smith and leads northeast 42 miles (68 km) to Hardin and Interstate 90.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fort Smith has a warm-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Climate data for Yellowtail Dam, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	71 (22)	72 (22)	82 (28)	89 (32)	98 (37)	107 (42)	110 (43)	107 (42)	104 (40)	94 (34)	78 (26)	72 (22)	110 (43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	59.7 (15.4)	62.1 (16.7)	72.1 (22.3)	81.2 (27.3)	87.5 (30.8)	96.4 (35.8)	102.1 (38.9)	100.5 (38.1)	95.2 (35.1)	83.1 (28.4)	68.9 (20.5)	61.0 (16.1)	103.2 (39.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	38.5 (3.6)	40.0 (4.4)	50.3 (10.2)	57.9 (14.4)	67.9 (19.9)	78.4 (25.8)	88.8 (31.6)	87.4 (30.8)	76.1 (24.5)	60.5 (15.8)	47.5 (8.6)	39.4 (4.1)	61.1 (16.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	29.0 (−1.7)	30.5 (−0.8)	39.1 (3.9)	46.8 (8.2)	55.9 (13.3)	65.6 (18.7)	74.0 (23.3)	72.3 (22.4)	62.3 (16.8)	49.3 (9.6)	37.8 (3.2)	30.3 (−0.9)	49.4 (9.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	19.6 (−6.9)	21.0 (−6.1)	27.9 (−2.3)	35.6 (2.0)	44.0 (6.7)	52.7 (11.5)	59.2 (15.1)	57.3 (14.1)	48.6 (9.2)	38.0 (3.3)	28.2 (−2.1)	21.3 (−5.9)	37.8 (3.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−6.0 (−21.1)	−0.4 (−18.0)	6.4 (−14.2)	21.1 (−6.1)	31.5 (−0.3)	41.0 (5.0)	49.7 (9.8)	45.6 (7.6)	34.7 (1.5)	20.0 (−6.7)	5.8 (−14.6)	−2.8 (−19.3)	−14.2 (−25.7)
Record low °F (°C)	−30 (−34)	−32 (−36)	−20 (−29)	4 (−16)	21 (−6)	31 (−1)	32 (0)	35 (2)	20 (−7)	−11 (−24)	−14 (−26)	−28 (−33)	−32 (−36)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.72 (18)	0.83 (21)	1.21 (31)	1.95 (50)	2.62 (67)	2.27 (58)	1.15 (29)	0.78 (20)	1.67 (42)	1.98 (50)	0.77 (20)	0.72 (18)	16.67 (424)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	8.8 (22)	7.4 (19)	8.4 (21)	3.0 (7.6)	0.2 (0.51)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	3.0 (7.6)	5.8 (15)	7.3 (19)	43.9 (111.71)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.9	4.5	6.0	7.6	8.0	7.4	5.0	3.7	4.7	6.0	4.1	4.5	66.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	2.3	2.2	1.4	0.8	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	1.2	2.4	11.1
Source 1: NOAA [6]
Source 2: National Weather Service [7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	170		—
U.S. Decennial Census [8]

As of the census ^[9] of 2000, there were 122 people, 51 households, and 31 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 103.6 inhabitants per square mile (40.0/km²). There were 143 housing units at an average density of 121.4 per square mile (46.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 64.75% White, 32.79% Native American, 2.46% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.92% of the population.

There were 51 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 34.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 159.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 158.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,250, and the median income for a family was $24,333. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $12,045 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,692. There were 68.2% of families and 50.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 55.1% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education

Fort Smith has an elementary school. Hardin High School serves 9th through 12th grade. ^[10]

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fort Smith, Montana
3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Fort Smith CDP, Montana". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
4. "Fort Smith". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
7. "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
10. "Fort Smith Elementary". Hardin Public Schools. Retrieved April 14, 2021.