Harlem, Montana

Harlem
City
Cinema in Harlem, March 2012
Motto:  Heartbeat of the Milk River Valley
Location of Harlem, Montana
Coordinates: 48°31′55″N108°47′05″W / 48.53194°N 108.78472°W / 48.53194; -108.78472
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Blaine
Area [1]
• Total	0.42 sq mi (1.08 km2)
• Land	0.42 sq mi (1.08 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,366 ft (721 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	769
• Density	1,839.71/sq mi (709.82/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59526
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-34375
GNIS feature ID	2410702 [2]
Website	www.cityofharlemmontana.com

Harlem is a city in Blaine County, Montana, United States. The population was 769 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is just south of the town, across the Milk River.

Like other towns along the Hi-Line, Great Northern Railway officials chose the name of a European city for this new town. In this case it was Haarlem, in the Netherlands. A. A. Cecil platted the townsite in 1889. ^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.43 square miles (1.11 km²), all land. ^[5]

Climate

Climate data for Harlem, Montana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	66 (19)	74 (23)	82 (28)	95 (35)	98 (37)	107 (42)	107 (42)	107 (42)	102 (39)	91 (33)	87 (31)	69 (21)	107 (42)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	53.4 (11.9)	56.0 (13.3)	66.4 (19.1)	79.6 (26.4)	85.8 (29.9)	92.6 (33.7)	97.2 (36.2)	98.3 (36.8)	91.5 (33.1)	79.0 (26.1)	66.5 (19.2)	54.2 (12.3)	100.2 (37.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	28.2 (−2.1)	32.7 (0.4)	45.0 (7.2)	58.8 (14.9)	69.0 (20.6)	76.6 (24.8)	85.0 (29.4)	84.7 (29.3)	74.1 (23.4)	59.7 (15.4)	43.3 (6.3)	30.9 (−0.6)	57.3 (14.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	16.6 (−8.6)	20.8 (−6.2)	32.5 (0.3)	44.4 (6.9)	54.3 (12.4)	62.6 (17.0)	69.3 (20.7)	68.2 (20.1)	57.9 (14.4)	45.1 (7.3)	31.1 (−0.5)	19.8 (−6.8)	43.6 (6.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	5.0 (−15.0)	8.9 (−12.8)	19.9 (−6.7)	29.9 (−1.2)	39.7 (4.3)	48.7 (9.3)	53.5 (11.9)	51.6 (10.9)	41.7 (5.4)	30.4 (−0.9)	18.9 (−7.3)	8.7 (−12.9)	29.7 (−1.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−24.5 (−31.4)	−17.3 (−27.4)	−4.3 (−20.2)	13.5 (−10.3)	24.9 (−3.9)	36.2 (2.3)	43.3 (6.3)	38.4 (3.6)	26.7 (−2.9)	10.4 (−12.0)	−6.7 (−21.5)	−15.2 (−26.2)	−32.1 (−35.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−50 (−46)	−50 (−46)	−37 (−38)	−12 (−24)	10 (−12)	26 (−3)	35 (2)	30 (−1)	13 (−11)	−20 (−29)	−35 (−37)	−44 (−42)	−50 (−46)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.51 (13)	0.36 (9.1)	0.52 (13)	1.00 (25)	1.89 (48)	2.90 (74)	1.44 (37)	0.99 (25)	1.09 (28)	0.73 (19)	0.57 (14)	0.50 (13)	12.50 (318)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.8	3.6	4.7	6.2	9.5	12.1	6.7	5.2	5.3	5.0	5.3	4.0	72.4
Source: NOAA [6] [7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	383		—
1920	721		88.3%
1930	708		−1.8%
1940	1,166		64.7%
1950	1,107		−5.1%
1960	1,267		14.5%
1970	1,094		−13.7%
1980	1,023		−6.5%
1990	882		−13.8%
2000	848		−3.9%
2010	808		−4.7%
2020	769		−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] [3]

2010 census

As of the census ^[9] of 2010, there were 808 people, 307 households, and 204 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,879.1 inhabitants per square mile (725.5/km²). There were 359 housing units at an average density of 834.9 per square mile (322.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.1% White, 52.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 307 households, of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.3% male and 54.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[10] of 2000, there were 848 people, 332 households, and 232 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,976.7 inhabitants per square mile (763.2/km²). There were 401 housing units at an average density of 934.7 per square mile (360.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.59% White, 0.24% African American, 42.57% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 4.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.

There were 332 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,794, and the median income for a family was $33,828. Males had a median income of $24,145 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,295. About 16.5% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Merrill Bridge, spanning Milk River at Snake Creek-Merrill Road, west of Harlem

Education

Harlem is home to Harlem Elementary, Middle School and Harlem High School. ^[11] The team name is the Wildcats. ^[12]

The Harlem Elementary District consists of a grade school with students from kindergarten to 6th grade and a middle school for 7th and 8th grade students. The district had a total of 453 students enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year. ^[13]

The Harlem High School educates students from 9th to 12th grade. In the 2021-2022 school year, 175 students were enrolled. ^[14]

Aaniiih Nakoda College is a two year institution in the town. ^[15] It offers associate degrees in eleven disciplines and vocational training in five others.

Harlem Public Library serves the area. ^[16]

Media

The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion is a local weekly newspaper. ^[17] It is available in print or online.

Infrastructure

U.S. Route 2 forms the southern border of the town. Highway 241 exits north of town and leads to the Turner–Climax Border Crossing.

Harlem Airport is a public use airport located three miles (6 km) north of town. ^[18] The nearest commercial airport is Havre City–County Airport, 48 miles (77 km) east. It offers regional flights only. For full flight service, residents must travel to either Great Falls International Airport or Billings Logan International Airport, both about 200 miles (322 km) away.

Transportation

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest stations are located in Havre, 43 miles (69 km) to the west, and Malta, 45 miles (72 km) to the east.

Notable people

• Francis Bardanouve, politician
• Ken Hansen, state senator
• Frank Warnke, politician

See also

• 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: Harlem, Montana
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
4. "Hall". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
5. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
6. "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
7. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "Harlem Montana Public Schools". Harlem Public Schools District #12. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
12. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
13. "Harlem Elem District". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
14. "Harlem High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
15. "Information". Aaniiih Nakoda College. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
16. "Harlem Public Library". Harlem Public Library. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
17. "News". The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
18. "48S Harlem". FAA. Retrieved October 3, 2023.

External links

Official website