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Melstone, Montana
Location of Melstone, Montana
Location of Melstone, Montana
Country United States
State Montana
County Musselshell
Area
 • Total 0.61 sq mi (1.59 km2)
 • Land 0.61 sq mi (1.59 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
2,940 ft (896 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 126
 • Density 206.56/sq mi (79.25/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59054
Area code(s) 406
FIPS code 30-49000
GNIS feature ID 0774093

Melstone is a rural small town in far eastern Musselshell County, Montana, United States, along U.S. Route 12. The population was 126 at the 2020 census. The town was established in 1908 as a base for operating crews on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, then under construction in Montana. Although the railroad was abandoned in 1980, Melstone survives as a community center for farmers and ranchers in the lower Musselshell River valley. It has a K-12 school with a staff of 16, which in the Fall of 2017 successfully began a 4-day school week.

The Melstone Oil Field west of town developed in the 1950s and saw renewed production in the 1990s.

Geography

Melstone is located at 46°35′57″N 107°52′11″W / 46.59917°N 107.86972°W / 46.59917; -107.86972 (46.599081, -107.869851).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.69 square miles (1.79 km2), all of it land.

Climate

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

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 477
1930 215 −54.9%
1940 203 −5.6%
1950 195 −3.9%
1960 266 36.4%
1970 227 −14.7%
1980 238 4.8%
1990 166 −30.3%
2000 136 −18.1%
2010 96 −29.4%
2020 126 31.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 96 people, 52 households, and 24 families residing in the town. The population density was 139.1 inhabitants per square mile (53.7/km2). There were 75 housing units at an average density of 108.7 per square mile (42.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 2.1% African American, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 52 households, of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 40.4% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.8% were non-families. 51.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the town was 50 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.7% were from 25 to 44; 33.2% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.

Current events

In 2006, Melstone made history by winning the State Boys Basketball Championship, being the smallest school ever to win. The Melstone Broncs defeated the defending state champion Gardiner Bruins in an overtime win. The Broncs won 83-78 for the Class C boys basketball crown at MetraPark Arena in Billings, Montana.

2008 marked the town's centennial.

Education

Melstone Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Melstone High School's team name is the Broncs.

Notable residents

  • Evelyn Genevieve Sharp, early American aviator.

See also

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

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