Alberton, Montana

Alberton, Montana
Town
Antique shop in Alberton
Location in Mineral County and Montana
Coordinates: 47°00′13″N114°28′54″W / 47.00361°N 114.48167°W / 47.00361; -114.48167
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Mineral
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
•  Mayor	Anna LeDuc
Area [1]
• Total	0.57 sq mi (1.49 km2)
• Land	0.55 sq mi (1.42 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation [2]	3,055 ft (931 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	452
• Density	826.33/sq mi (318.88/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59820
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-00700
GNIS ID	2412342 [2]

Alberton is a town in Mineral County, Montana, United States. The population was 452 at the 2020 census. ^[4] Alberton was the location of a major chlorine chemical release in 1996. It is the home of Northwest Indian Bible School, a Bible-training institution founded and operated by the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Original Allegheny Conference).

History

A post office called Alberton has been in operation since 1909. ^[5] The town was named for Albert J. Earling, president of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. ^[6]

On April 11, 1996, a Montana Rail Link train carrying chlorine derailed near Alberton. ^{[7] [8]} 350 people were injured by chlorine inhalation. 1,000 people were evacuated from Alberton and from Frenchtown. Interstate 90 was shut down for nineteen days. The incident has been described as the largest chemical spill from a train in United States history. ^[9]

Geography

Alberton is located in eastern Mineral County on Interstate 90 at exit 75. The southern border of the town is the Clark Fork River. Missoula County is to the south across the river. I-90 leads east 29 miles (47 km) to Missoula and northwest the same distance to Superior, the Mineral county seat.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alberton has a total area of 0.57 square miles (1.48 km²), of which 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²), or 4.54%, are water. ^[1]

Climate

Alberton has a cool-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb).

Climate data for Alberton, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	59 (15)	62 (17)	80 (27)	87 (31)	93 (34)	105 (41)	105 (41)	105 (41)	100 (38)	87 (31)	71 (22)	68 (20)	105 (41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	48.3 (9.1)	51.7 (10.9)	65.1 (18.4)	77.1 (25.1)	85.8 (29.9)	93.1 (33.9)	99.4 (37.4)	98.5 (36.9)	91.5 (33.1)	77.4 (25.2)	59.0 (15.0)	47.5 (8.6)	100.7 (38.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	34.6 (1.4)	40.1 (4.5)	48.9 (9.4)	58.2 (14.6)	67.6 (19.8)	75.2 (24.0)	86.8 (30.4)	86.5 (30.3)	75.7 (24.3)	57.8 (14.3)	41.0 (5.0)	32.7 (0.4)	58.8 (14.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)	26.3 (−3.2)	30.2 (−1.0)	36.7 (2.6)	44.2 (6.8)	52.7 (11.5)	59.7 (15.4)	67.7 (19.8)	66.8 (19.3)	57.6 (14.2)	44.1 (6.7)	32.6 (0.3)	25.7 (−3.5)	45.4 (7.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	18.0 (−7.8)	20.2 (−6.6)	24.5 (−4.2)	30.3 (−0.9)	37.8 (3.2)	44.2 (6.8)	48.7 (9.3)	47.2 (8.4)	39.6 (4.2)	30.4 (−0.9)	24.1 (−4.4)	18.8 (−7.3)	32.0 (0.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−1.1 (−18.4)	3.9 (−15.6)	13.1 (−10.5)	22.0 (−5.6)	27.1 (−2.7)	35.6 (2.0)	40.4 (4.7)	39.8 (4.3)	30.4 (−0.9)	17.5 (−8.1)	10.6 (−11.9)	0.5 (−17.5)	−7.4 (−21.9)
Record low °F (°C)	−28 (−33)	−22 (−30)	−12 (−24)	12 (−11)	21 (−6)	29 (−2)	31 (−1)	32 (0)	21 (−6)	−9 (−23)	−12 (−24)	−29 (−34)	−29 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.45 (37)	1.50 (38)	1.70 (43)	1.66 (42)	2.04 (52)	2.19 (56)	0.88 (22)	0.91 (23)	1.07 (27)	1.64 (42)	2.02 (51)	1.60 (41)	18.66 (474)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	10.3 (26)	11.1 (28)	6.0 (15)	1.4 (3.6)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	1.2 (3.0)	6.4 (16)	12.8 (33)	49.4 (125.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	13.6	12.8	14.0	13.0	12.4	12.7	5.0	6.3	7.8	12.1	13.1	14.4	137.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	8.9	8.1	4.9	1.6	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.7	5.0	9.5	38.9
Source 1: NOAA [10]
Source 2: National Weather Service [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	276		—
1940	283		2.5%
1950	326		15.2%
1960	356		9.2%
1970	363		2.0%
1980	368		1.4%
1990	354		−3.8%
2000	374		5.6%
2010	420		12.3%
2020	452		7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 420 people, 190 households, and 113 families residing in the town. The population density was 736.8 inhabitants per square mile (284.5/km²). There were 202 housing units at an average density of 354.4 per square mile (136.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.0% White, 1.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 190 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the town was 43.3 years. 19% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 53.1% male and 46.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[14] of 2000, there were 374 people, 152 households, and 108 families residing in the town. The population density was 652.7 inhabitants per square mile (252.0/km²). There were 175 housing units at an average density of 305.4 per square mile (117.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.59% White, 0.27% African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.27% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 152 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 23.7% 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 2.46 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,000, and the median income for a family was $26,500. Males had a median income of $24,792 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,120. About 19.6% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Natural Pier Bridge near Alberton

Alberton School began as a wooden, one room school house in the early 1900s. In 1916, a fire burned down the original school. In 1920, a new brick building was built; this later became the elementary school building. The brick building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[15] The current high school building is 50 feet from the elementary building and is roughly octagonal in shape. Both buildings have two stories and are connected by a tunnel. The school's mascot is the Panther, ^[16] and the school has football, volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, and track and field on campus. The school also participates in wrestling, tennis, and golf as part of cooperatives with other schools in the area. The school transferred from eight-man to six-man football in 2010.

A branch of the Mineral County Public Library is in Alberton. ^[17]

Arts and culture

The town celebrates its railroad heritage each year with Alberton's Railroad Day, held the third Saturday in July. July 18, 2015, marked the 30th anniversary of this community event.^{[ citation needed ]}

Media

The Mineral Independent is the newspaper serving Mineral County. It is printed weekly and also has an e-edition. ^[18]

See also

• Montana portal

• List of municipalities in Montana

References

1. "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Montana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alberton, Montana
3. "P1. Race – Alberton town, Montana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
5. "Montana post offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
6. "Origins of Names on Milwaukee". Roundup Record-Tribune & Winnett Times. August 22, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
7. “Railroad Accident Brief Report. LAX 96 FR 010. Derailment and Hazardous Materials Release with Fatality. Montana Rail Link, Alberton, Montana, April 11, 1966.” National Transportation Safety Board, August 18, 1998.
8. “CMCR Campaign: Alberton, Montana Train Spill.” Journal of the Wild Rockies. Accessed May 3, 2015.
9. Kato, Dillon. "Workshop Uses 1996 Alberton Chlorine Spill to Teach Emergency Management." Missoulian , May 3, 2015.
10. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Alberton, MT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
11. "NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Missoula". National Weather Service. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
15. Information from a linked document listing Historic Sites in Mineral County. Historical Society - National Register of Historic Places
16. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
17. "Alberton Branch Library". Mineral County Public Library. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
18. "Latest News". Clark Fork Valley Press/Mineral Independent. Retrieved August 31, 2023.

External links

Media related to Alberton, Montana at Wikimedia Commons