Judith Gap, Montana

Judith Gap
City
City Center Park, Judith Gap
Location of Judith Gap, Montana
Coordinates: 46°40′39″N109°45′02″W / 46.67750°N 109.75056°W / 46.67750; -109.75056
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Wheatland
Area [1]
• Total	0.33 sq mi (0.86 km2)
• Land	0.33 sq mi (0.86 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	4,643 ft (1,415 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	110
• Density	331.33/sq mi (127.77/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59453
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-40000
GNIS feature ID	2410154 [2]

Judith Gap is a city in Wheatland County, Montana, United States. The population was 110 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

History

The railway station here was initially named "Ubet", after A. R. Barrows' nearby stage stop settlement Ubet, Montana. ^[4] Judith Gap, like the river and mountains, derives its name from Capt. William Clark’s fiancée, Julia (Judith) Hancock. ^[5]

Judith Gap’s economic prospects soared in 2005 with the construction of a major wind farm. ^{[5] [6]}

Geography

The city is situated in the historic Judith Gap, which is a small gap between the two towering mountain ranges (Big Snowy Mountains and Little Belt Mountains) that separate Central Montana from Southern Montana. ^[7] This gap has been used by settlers and Native Americans for centuries, including Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce during their famous 1877 flight to Canada.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.38 square miles (0.98 km²), all land. ^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	522		—
1930	288		−44.8%
1940	212		−26.4%
1950	175		−17.5%
1960	185		5.7%
1970	160		−13.5%
1980	213		33.1%
1990	133		−37.6%
2000	164		23.3%
2010	126		−23.2%
2020	110		−12.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] [3]

2010 census

As of the census ^[10] of 2010, there were 126 people, 64 households, and 34 families residing in the city. The population density was 331.6 inhabitants per square mile (128.0/km²). There were 83 housing units at an average density of 218.4 per square mile (84.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% White, 0.8% African American, 2.4% Asian, and 0.8% from two or more races.

There were 64 households, of which 12.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.9% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.65.

The median age in the city was 58 years. 10.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.1% were from 25 to 44; 38.9% were from 45 to 64; and 26.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.4% male and 47.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[11] of 2000, there were 164 people, 69 households, and 48 families residing in the city. The population density was 440.9 inhabitants per square mile (170.2/km²). There were 94 housing units at an average density of 252.7 per square mile (97.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.46% White, 1.22% African American, 1.22% Native American, 0.61% Asian, and 5.49% from two or more races.

There were 69 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 121.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,979, and the median income for a family was $17,292. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $11,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,927. About 33.3% of families and 37.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 65.7% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Climate

The Köppen Climate System classifies the weather as humid continental, abbreviated as Dfb. ^[12]

Climate data for Judith Gap, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1952–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	66 (19)	65 (18)	74 (23)	80 (27)	87 (31)	95 (35)	104 (40)	99 (37)	94 (34)	82 (28)	75 (24)	64 (18)	104 (40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	52.4 (11.3)	54.3 (12.4)	62.7 (17.1)	72.3 (22.4)	78.2 (25.7)	84.5 (29.2)	90.2 (32.3)	90.4 (32.4)	86.6 (30.3)	77.0 (25.0)	63.6 (17.6)	53.2 (11.8)	92.3 (33.5)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	33.9 (1.1)	33.5 (0.8)	42.3 (5.7)	51.0 (10.6)	60.2 (15.7)	67.9 (19.9)	79.4 (26.3)	79.7 (26.5)	68.6 (20.3)	54.0 (12.2)	42.3 (5.7)	32.8 (0.4)	53.8 (12.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	22.9 (−5.1)	23.3 (−4.8)	31.0 (−0.6)	39.2 (4.0)	47.9 (8.8)	55.7 (13.2)	64.7 (18.2)	64.1 (17.8)	54.4 (12.4)	41.7 (5.4)	31.6 (−0.2)	22.6 (−5.2)	41.6 (5.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	11.9 (−11.2)	13.0 (−10.6)	19.8 (−6.8)	27.3 (−2.6)	35.6 (2.0)	43.6 (6.4)	50.0 (10.0)	48.6 (9.2)	40.2 (4.6)	29.5 (−1.4)	20.8 (−6.2)	12.4 (−10.9)	29.4 (−1.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−12.3 (−24.6)	−10.1 (−23.4)	−2.9 (−19.4)	10.3 (−12.1)	21.8 (−5.7)	31.6 (−0.2)	39.3 (4.1)	37.3 (2.9)	26.6 (−3.0)	11.8 (−11.2)	−2.1 (−18.9)	−11.4 (−24.1)	−22.0 (−30.0)
Record low °F (°C)	−25 (−32)	−29 (−34)	−25 (−32)	1 (−17)	14 (−10)	24 (−4)	31 (−1)	21 (−6)	15 (−9)	−9 (−23)	−16 (−27)	−27 (−33)	−29 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.43 (11)	0.45 (11)	0.64 (16)	1.75 (44)	3.26 (83)	3.03 (77)	1.73 (44)	1.49 (38)	1.36 (35)	0.89 (23)	0.51 (13)	0.38 (9.7)	15.92 (404.7)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	4.5 (11)	6.7 (17)	3.6 (9.1)	2.8 (7.1)	0.4 (1.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)	1.8 (4.6)	3.7 (9.4)	3.8 (9.7)	27.5 (69.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	2.9	2.9	3.9	7.8	10.3	10.1	7.9	6.9	5.3	4.9	2.8	2.7	68.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	2.0	2.7	1.4	1.1	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	1.0	1.4	1.7	11.8
Source 1: NOAA [13]
Source 2: National Weather Service [14]

Judith Gap Wind Farm

See also: Wind power in Montana

Because of its topography and prevailing winds, Judith Gap is the site of one of the most ambitious wind power projects in the United States. The 90 wind turbines at the Judith Gap Wind Farm have a nameplate capacity of 135 MW.

Judith Gap Wind Farm

Education

Judith Gap School educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ^[15] Judith Gap High School's team name is the Tigers. ^[16]

Judith Gap is part of the Tri-City sports coop with Hobson and Moore. ^[17]

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: Judith Gap, Montana
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
4. Montana Federal Writers' Project Montana: A State Guide Book (Fourth [1955]) printing); pp. 253-254
5. "Judith Gap". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
6. "Judith Gap Wind Farm/Energy Center". Montana Office of Tourism. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
7. "Origins of Names on Milwaukee". Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times. August 22, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. Climate Summary for Judith Gap
13. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
14. "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
15. "Judith Gap School". Judith Gap School. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
16. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
17. "About Us". Hobson Public School. Retrieved April 17, 2021.

External links

Media related to Judith Gap, Montana at Wikimedia Commons