Fort Towson

Roundup is a city in and the county seat of Musselshell County, Montana, United States.[2] The population was 1,742 during the 2020 census.[3]

The city was incorporated in 1909.[4] It has a Commissioner-Executive form of government.[4]

History

Roundup served as a place for cattlemen to "round up" their cattle along the Musselshell River. It was the trailhead in the Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive[5] and now drives happen annually.

The post office opened in 1883.[6] In 1907, the Milwaukee Road reached Roundup.

From Hell to Breakfast in Old Montana, by Leland Blanchard, tells the story of pioneers who lived and worked in Roundup in the early 1900s.[7]

Geography

Roundup is located at 46°26′54″N 108°32′34″W / 46.44833°N 108.54278°W / 46.44833; -108.54278 (46.448401, -108.542676).[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.34 square miles (3.47 km2), all land.[9]

The Musselshell River runs through the city. Roundup is bordered to the south by the Bull Mountains which rise from the great plains over a hundred miles east of the front range of the Rocky Mountains.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Roundup has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Climate data for Roundup, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–2019
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)
75
(24)
82
(28)
91
(33)
100
(38)
106
(41)
111
(44)
108
(42)
102
(39)
95
(35)
77
(25)
70
(21)
111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 58.2
(14.6)
61.9
(16.6)
70.3
(21.3)
80.4
(26.9)
87.4
(30.8)
96.0
(35.6)
100.1
(37.8)
98.8
(37.1)
93.3
(34.1)
82.0
(27.8)
67.6
(19.8)
57.1
(13.9)
101.6
(38.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 37.2
(2.9)
40.7
(4.8)
50.6
(10.3)
59.9
(15.5)
69.1
(20.6)
78.3
(25.7)
88.9
(31.6)
87.9
(31.1)
76.9
(24.9)
60.9
(16.1)
46.6
(8.1)
37.2
(2.9)
61.2
(16.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 25.1
(−3.8)
27.8
(−2.3)
36.3
(2.4)
44.9
(7.2)
54.2
(12.3)
63.1
(17.3)
71.2
(21.8)
69.5
(20.8)
59.6
(15.3)
46.3
(7.9)
34.2
(1.2)
25.7
(−3.5)
46.5
(8.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13.1
(−10.5)
14.9
(−9.5)
22.1
(−5.5)
30.0
(−1.1)
39.3
(4.1)
47.8
(8.8)
53.5
(11.9)
51.1
(10.6)
42.4
(5.8)
31.7
(−0.2)
21.8
(−5.7)
14.2
(−9.9)
31.8
(−0.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −13.3
(−25.2)
−8.7
(−22.6)
−2.5
(−19.2)
17.7
(−7.9)
27.4
(−2.6)
37.1
(2.8)
44.9
(7.2)
41.6
(5.3)
28.8
(−1.8)
16.0
(−8.9)
0.4
(−17.6)
−12.5
(−24.7)
−24.3
(−31.3)
Record low °F (°C) −41
(−41)
−52
(−47)
−33
(−36)
−9
(−23)
10
(−12)
31
(−1)
36
(2)
30
(−1)
15
(−9)
−10
(−23)
−36
(−38)
−44
(−42)
−52
(−47)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.37
(9.4)
0.42
(11)
0.71
(18)
1.71
(43)
2.55
(65)
2.89
(73)
1.70
(43)
1.21
(31)
1.20
(30)
1.22
(31)
0.49
(12)
0.41
(10)
14.88
(376.4)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 5.2
(13)
3.9
(9.9)
4.4
(11)
1.4
(3.6)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.0
(2.5)
2.8
(7.1)
5.6
(14)
24.4
(61.35)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 4.0 3.6 5.1 7.7 10.0 10.6 7.0 5.1 5.3 6.9 3.9 4.5 73.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.2 2.8 1.9 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.7 3.4 14.3
Source 1: NOAA[10]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima and minima 1981–2010)[11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19101,513
19202,43460.9%
19302,5775.9%
19402,6442.6%
19502,8568.0%
19602,842−0.5%
19702,116−25.5%
19802,1190.1%
19901,808−14.7%
20001,9316.8%
20101,788−7.4%
20201,742−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12][3]

2010 census

As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 1,788 people, 814 households, and 445 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,334.3 inhabitants per square mile (515.2/km2). There were 973 housing units at an average density of 726.1 per square mile (280.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.3% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.1% of the population.

There were 814 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.3% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 43.6 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 31.6% were from 45 to 64; and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 1,931 people, 833 households, and 498 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,437.8 inhabitants per square mile (555.1/km2). There were 978 housing units at an average density of 728.2 per square mile (281.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.05% White, 0.16% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.74% of the population.

There were 833 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,144, and the median income for a family was $31,129. Males had a median income of $25,875 versus $17,011 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,123. About 13.7% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The area has coal mines, which combined with the agriculture, maintain the economy of the town.[4]

Roundup is a hub in Amazon.com's supply chain with a growing industry of prep centers, or businesses that specialize in packing goods to meet the requirements of Amazon's highly automated warehouses.[15]

Arts and culture

The Musselshell Valley Historical Museum highlights the early settlement of the area. Signal Peak Energy largely funded a coal exhibit.[16] Several recreated locations, such as a hospital, general store, and school, allow visitors to experience life as it was.

Roundup School-Community Library is a public library which serves the area.[17]

Parks and recreation

The Mussellshell River on the southern side of town provides the opportunity for fishing. Fish in the river include brown trout, smallmouth bass, and catfish.[18] Other activities are floating the river or harvesting the mussels the river is named for.

Hunting options are plentiful. The area has an abundance of whitetail and mule deer, antelope, and gamebirds.[19] The large number of animals can become a safety hazard, so an annual archery-only hunt is authorized in and around the town after the usual hunting season.[20][21]

Education

Roundup School District educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade.[22] Roundup High School's team name is the Panthers.[23] In the 2021-2022 school year, 174 students were enrolled in the high school.[24]

Media

The local newspaper is the Roundup Record-Tribune.[25] It is published weekly and serves Musselshell County and the neighboring counties.

There are two radio stations licensed in Roundup. KQLJ-LP is a religious channel[26] affiliated with Three Angels Broadcasting Network. KXEM[27] is also a religious channel. It is part of Your Network of Praise.

Infrastructure

U.S. Route 87 passes through the town from north to south while U.S. Route 12 travels east to west.

Roundup Airport is a public use airport located two miles (4 km) north of town.[28]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Visitors". City of Roundup. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Chamber of Commerce. "Welcome". Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  6. ^ "Roundup". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. ^ Blanchard, Leland (September 18, 2017). From Hell to Breakfast in Old Montana: A True Saga. ISBN 978-1548434175.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  10. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  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. ^ Dzieza, Josh (November 14, 2019). "Why thousands of Amazon packages converge on a tiny Montana town". The Verge. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  16. ^ "Home page". Musselshell Valley Historical Museum. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  17. ^ "Roundup School-Community Library". Montana State Library. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Musselshell River". Big Sky Fishing.Com. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  19. ^ "Block Management:Region 5". Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  20. ^ Fish, Wildlife & Parks (September 2, 2022). "Roundup deer archery tags go on sale Oct. 5". Billings Gazette. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  21. ^ "2019 FWP hails Roundup Urban Deer Hunt as success". City of Roundup. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Roundup School District". Roundup School District. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  24. ^ "Roundup H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  25. ^ "News". Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "KQLJ-LP". FCC. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "KXEM". FCC. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  28. ^ "RPX(KRPX) Roundup". FAA. Retrieved September 7, 2023.

External links