Ronan, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronan, Montana
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Ronan as seen from the Mission Mountains in the summer of 2009
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Location of Ronan, Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lake |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2) |
| • Land | 1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,048 ft (929 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,955 |
| • Density | 1,590.72/sq mi (614.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59864
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-64150 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0775919 |
Ronan is a city located in Lake County, Montana, in the United States. It is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. In 2020, about 1,955 people lived there. The Salish name for Ronan is ocqʔetkʷ.
Contents
History of Ronan
The area where Ronan is located is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. This reservation was created on July 16, 1855. It was formed by the Hellgate Treaty. This agreement was made between the United States and several Native American tribes. These tribes included the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d'Oreille, and Lower Kutenai people. Today, they are known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The city was first called Spring Creek. In 1893, its name was changed to Ronan. This was done to honor Major Peter Ronan. He was the superintendent of the Flathead Indian Reservation at that time.
Geography and Climate
Where is Ronan Located?
Ronan is about 12 miles (19 km) south of Flathead Lake. This lake is in the northwestern part of Montana. The beautiful Mission Mountains are located to the east of the city. Also, the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge is about 5 miles (8 km) south.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Ronan covers an area of 1.19 square miles (3.08 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
What is Ronan's Climate Like?
Ronan has a type of weather called a humid continental climate. This means the city experiences big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are usually warm to hot, and sometimes dry. Winters are cold, and can be very cold at times.
People of Ronan
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Ronan has changed over many years. Here is how the population has grown:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 600 | — | |
| 1930 | 537 | −10.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,032 | 92.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,251 | 21.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,334 | 6.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,347 | 1.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,530 | 13.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,547 | 1.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,812 | 17.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,871 | 3.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,955 | 4.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Ronan? (2010 Census)
In 2010, there were 1,871 people living in Ronan. These people lived in 737 households. About 61.3% of the people were White. About 27.0% were Native American. Other groups made up smaller parts of the population. About 4.7% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
About 33.8% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.41 people. The average age of people in Ronan was 34.7 years old. About 27.7% of residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Ronan
Public schools in Ronan are managed by the Ronan School District. There are three schools located in Ronan itself:
- Ronan High School
- Ronan Middle School
- K. William Harvey Elementary School
For the 2021–2022 school year, 371 students attended Ronan High School. The school's sports teams are called the Chiefs for male athletes and Maidens for female athletes.
The public library for the city is the Ronan City Library.
Media and News
Two newspapers serve the Ronan area. The Char-Koosta News covers news for the Flathead Indian Reservation. The Valley Journal provides local news for Ronan and nearby towns.
There is also a radio station, KKMT, which broadcasts from Ronan. It plays popular Top 40 music.
Transportation Around Ronan
Roads and Highways
The main road that goes through Ronan is U.S. Route 93. The closest major highway is I-90. It is about 46 miles (74 km) south of Ronan on US 93.
Train and Air Travel
Amtrak offers daily passenger train service on the Empire Builder route. This train runs between Seattle/Portland and Chicago. The closest train stations are in Whitefish (76 miles or 122 km north) and West Glacier.
Ronan Airport is a public airport located 3 miles (5 km) north of town. For commercial flights, the nearest airports are Missoula Montana Airport, about 50 miles (80 km) south, and Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, about 68 miles (109 km) north.
Notable People from Ronan
Many interesting people have connections to Ronan, including:
- Lou Goodale Bigelow, a photographer
- Marvin Camel, a professional boxer
- Corwin Clairmont, an artist, activist, and educator
- Rick Jore, a member of the Montana House of Representatives
- Laverne Parrish, who received the Medal of Honor during World War II
- Daniel Salomon, a politician who was born in Ronan and still lives there
See also
In Spanish: Ronan (Montana) para niños
