West Yellowstone, Montana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids West Yellowstone
Town
Yellowstone Avenue in winter
Seal
Location of West Yellowstone within Gallatin County
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Gallatin
First Settled	November 12, 1907
Incorporated	June 6, 1966
Founded by	E.H. Harriman
Named for	Yellowstone National Park
Area
• Total	0.78 sq mi (2.03 km2)
• Land	0.78 sq mi (2.03 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	6,667 ft (2,032 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,272
• Density	1,630.77/sq mi (626.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (Mountain)
ZIP Code	59758
Area code(s)	406
FIPS code	30-79525

West Yellowstone is a town in Gallatin County, Montana, United States, adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. The population was 1,272 at the 2020 census. West Yellowstone is served by Yellowstone Airport. It is part of the Bozeman, MT Micropolitan Statistical Area.

West Yellowstone offers lodging, gift shops, and other services to travelers visiting nearby Yellowstone National Park.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,271 people, 617 households, and 298 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,588.8 inhabitants per square mile (613.4/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 1,211.3 per square mile (467.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.6% White, 0.4% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 7.5% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.9% of the population.

There were 617 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.7% were non-families. 42.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06, and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the town was 39.4 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.1% were from 25 to 44; 34.2% were from 45 to 64; and 8.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 53.1% male and 46.9% female.

Geography

Typical landscape in West Yellowstone, Montana, photographed in late-September.

West Yellowstone is located at 44°39′45″N 111°6′21″W / 44.66250°N 111.10583°W / 44.66250; -111.10583 (44.662500, -111.105933).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.80 square miles (2.07 km²), all of it land.

Climate

At almost 7,000 feet above sea level and almost exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole, West Yellowstone experiences a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc), with cold — sometimes bitterly cold — winters and brief but generally warm summers. During the summer, the average low is 41 °F (5 °C), and the average high is 78 °F (26 °C). During the winter, the average low is 1 °F (−17 °C), and the average high is 24 °F (−4 °C). West Yellowstone holds the record low of any community in the lower 48 states at −66 °F (−54 °C), although Rogers Pass, Montana is colder, at −70 °F (−57 °C). However, the town's December record low of −59 °F (−51 °C) is the monthly record low for the lower 48 states.

Tourism

Because of its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, the town receives a large amount of tourism, especially from China. To cater to these tourists, the town has commercial signage in Mandarin and three Chinese restaurants. It is estimated to receive more than half its annual business from Chinese tourists.

Economy

Eagle's store in West Yellowstone, 1939

Tourism

Because of its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, the town receives a large amount of tourism, especially from China. To cater to these tourists, the town has commercial signage in Mandarin as well as six Chinese restaurants. It is estimated to receive more than half its annual business from Chinese tourists.

Education

The town has one school, the West Yellowstone School, serving kindergarten through 12th grade. West Yellowstone High School is a class C school (less than 108 students) which helps determine athletic competitions. They are known as the Wolverines.

West Yellowstone Public Library serves the area.

Infrastructure

Layout

The D Parkway road roughly separates the town into residential and commercial areas. South of D Parkway is mainly a business/commercial area, while northward is a residential area of homes and apartments. The area north of D Parkway is known to locals as the "Madison Addition".

Transportation

The West Yellowstone Airport, a mainly summer-operating airport, is to the north of town.

U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 191 pass through the town.

The Union Pacific Railroad historically operated the Butte Special, (29/30) which linked with a coordinated train, the Yellowstone Special, (35/36) which ran from Pocatello, Idaho to West Yellowstone. The two trains ran linked from Pocatello to Idaho Falls, where the latter train split off for West Yellowstone. Service ended in 1971.

See also

In Spanish: West Yellowstone (Montana) para niños