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Chester, Montana
Liberty County Courthouse in Chester
Liberty County Courthouse in Chester
Location of Chester, Montana
Location of Chester, Montana
Country United States
State Montana
County Liberty
Area
 • Total 0.49 sq mi (1.26 km2)
 • Land 0.49 sq mi (1.26 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
3,133 ft (955 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 847
 • Density 1,728.57/sq mi (672.22/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59522
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-14200
GNIS ID 769799

Chester is a town in and the county seat of Liberty County, Montana, United States. The population was 847 at the time of both the 2010 and 2020 U.S. Census.

Geography

Chester is located at 48°30′40″N 110°58′2″W / 48.51111°N 110.96722°W / 48.51111; -110.96722 (48.511105, -110.967126).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.48 square miles (1.24 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 402
1930 387 −3.7%
1940 548 41.6%
1950 733 33.8%
1960 1,158 58.0%
1970 936 −19.2%
1980 963 2.9%
1990 942 −2.2%
2000 871 −7.5%
2010 847 −2.8%
2020 847 0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 847 people, 395 households, and 223 families living in the town. The population density was 1,764.6 inhabitants per square mile (681.3/km2). There were 462 housing units at an average density of 962.5 per square mile (371.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races.

There were 395 households, of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 0.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the town was 51 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 27.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

Climate

Chester experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with long, cold, dry winters and short, hot, wetter summers. This type of a semi-arid climate is a dry continental variety with similar temperatures as the more humid ones, albeit with less precipitation.

Climate data for Chester, Montana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 66
(19)
74
(23)
79
(26)
88
(31)
94
(34)
100
(38)
104
(40)
105
(41)
97
(36)
89
(32)
75
(24)
64
(18)
105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 28.1
(−2.2)
35.1
(1.7)
45.1
(7.3)
58.0
(14.4)
67.7
(19.8)
75.4
(24.1)
82.6
(28.1)
82.2
(27.9)
71.2
(21.8)
59.3
(15.2)
40.5
(4.7)
30.4
(−0.9)
56.3
(13.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 16.0
(−8.9)
22.1
(−5.5)
32.0
(0.0)
43.4
(6.3)
53.4
(11.9)
61.0
(16.1)
66.6
(19.2)
65.8
(18.8)
55.1
(12.8)
43.8
(6.6)
28.1
(−2.2)
18.3
(−7.6)
42.1
(5.6)
Average low °F (°C) 3.9
(−15.6)
9.1
(−12.7)
18.8
(−7.3)
28.7
(−1.8)
39.1
(3.9)
46.5
(8.1)
50.5
(10.3)
49.3
(9.6)
39.0
(3.9)
28.3
(−2.1)
15.6
(−9.1)
6.2
(−14.3)
27.9
(−2.3)
Record low °F (°C) −57
(−49)
−44
(−42)
−38
(−39)
−19
(−28)
14
(−10)
24
(−4)
31
(−1)
28
(−2)
13
(−11)
−17
(−27)
−31
(−35)
−52
(−47)
−57
(−49)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.38
(9.7)
0.26
(6.6)
0.51
(13)
0.71
(18)
1.77
(45)
2.20
(56)
1.47
(37)
1.21
(31)
0.84
(21)
0.48
(12)
0.36
(9.1)
0.39
(9.9)
10.58
(268.3)
Source 1: NOAA (normals, 1971–2000)
Source 2: The Weather Channel (Records)

Infrastructure

Liberty County Airport is a county-owned airport a mile west of Chester. CJI (Chester-Joplin-Inverness) School was formed in 2005 and competes in the Class C division of the Montana High School Association. The Liberty Medical Center is host to primary care physicians, nurses, and visiting medical specialists.

During the summer, the Liberty County Museum showcases the rich history of the area and its people. Also, during the summer, the city operates the swimming pool, provides certified swim lessons, and hosts an annual swim meet drawing competitors from around the state. The Liberty Village Arts Center displays a variety of local and regional items for show and for purchase. At the library, there are print and digital media and internet connected computers. The city park provides a pavilion, picnic and playground area, and restrooms. In the winter, there is an ice skating rink.

Liberty County Transit is available for all ages and provides transportation within Liberty County and to connect to Amtrak in Shelby or to the bus and planes in Great Falls. Transportation for medical appointments is also available.

Notable people

  • Philip Aaberg, pianist, keyboardist, and composer was born in Chester in 1949
  • Michael Claxton (born 1976), basketball player and coach
  • Casey FitzSimmons, NFL tight end with Detroit Lions
  • William E. Hunt, Montana Supreme Court Justice (1985–2000)
  • Allen Kolstad, former Lieutenant Governor of Montana (1989–1991)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chester (Montana) para niños

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