Demographics

Population Statistics

Richland County Population...........................................................9,746
Incorporated Cities:  Sidney (County Seat): 5,191             Fairview:  840           

*Figures throughout this section are from the 2010 census unless otherwise noted.

Age Distribution

 Age Distribution
25-24    
25-44    
45-65  
# in each group

1166 

2587

2299

Median Age:  39
Population under 18:  27.5% 
Population over 65:  15.6%
Labor Analysis
Civilian Labor Force* 5,908
Employed 5,697
Unemployed 211
Unemployment Rate 3.6%
Annual Number of High School Grads 120
Percent of High School Graduates or higher (Persons 25 and older) 83.5%
Work stoppages in the last 5 years None
Right-to-Work Law None
    

*information from http://www.ourfactsyourfuture.org/
        

Trade Area Analysis
Well over 450 businesses are located in Sidney, the bulk of them in the county seat of Sidney, with a retail trade area that exceeds a 75-mile radius.  The 6-county area principally encompassed by that radius (plus Daniels County) totals 41,685 in population and 2,970 farms.  (Those figures do not include trade numbers from across the state border, another sizable market for Richland County.)  Sidney is ideally situated to serve Northeastern Montana as well as residents of Western North Dakota.Products and services offered here include everything from intricate craftwork, data processing, cabinet making, bottling, sugar production, construction and coal mining.  Businesses are found in all areas from retail trade and small manufacturing to mining, oil & gas development, outdoor recreation, and, of course, agriculture.  The presence of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, established in 1909, has provided an important stability to Richland County's ag-dominated economy.  The county also has over 2.3 billion tons in known recoverable coal reserves.  The boom and bust cycle of oil and gas production also impacts the county's economy, where Richland County remains a top producer in the state even in down cycles.

*Figures based on 2010 Census data, the latest available.

Mileage
Distance in highway miles from Richland County seat of Sidney:     

Helena, MT..........................460 Regina Sask......................190
Billings, MT..........................270 Denver, CO......................645
Glendive, MT.........................51 St. Paul./Mpls, MN...........800
Williston, ND.........................42 Salt Lake City, UT............825
Dickinson, ND......................125   Seattle, WA......................970
Minot, ND............................180 Chicago, IL....................1,100

 

Climate
The county averages 13.5 inches of precipitation annually with a growing season of 140 days.  Clear sunny skies dominate, whatever the season, with temperatures during July averaging 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and in January , 25 degrees  Fahrenheit.
( A 49-year average from Eastern Montana Branch MSU Experiment Station)

Incorporated Communities

Sidney- County Seat

Population: 5,191 • School Enrollment: K-12: 1619
Type of Government: Mayor/Council • No. of Businesses: 370+

Major Employers: Sidney Sugars, Inc., Sidney Health Center, Sidney School District, County Government, Blue Rock Products, Franz Construction, Mitchell's Oil Field Service, Cyclone Drilling, Ensign US Drilling

Incorporated in 1911, Sidney is the second largest city in eastern Montana next to Miles City.  It has 4 public schools - 2 elementary, 1 junior high and 1 high school - along with 1 private school and 17 churches.  Highlights include the MonDak Heritage Center & Art Gallery, one of the best combined museum and art facilities in the state.  Sidney also has a beautiful eighteen hole golf course and clubhouse, the only indoor hockey arena in Eastern Montana, an Olympic-size pool with water slides and the county fairgrounds as well as numerous municipal parks.  A major retail center for Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, Sidney sports a particularly strong women's apparel shopping district, a regional book store and a growing arts community.  It's also home to one of the region's finest full-service medical facilities.

Fairview

Population: 840 • School Enrollment K-12: 340
Type of government: Mayor/Council • No. of Businesses: 60+

Major Employers: Fairview School District, MonKota fertilizer plant

Fairview has the unique distinction of being a two-state community, with the town site straddling the Montana-North Dakota border.  Highlights include a city park and pool with free campground and RV hookups. Fort Union Trading Post and Fort Buford are just 11 miles north of Fairview as is Snowden Bridge, one of the only vertical lift bridges left in the country.

Other Major Communities

Savage

Population: approx. 200-250 • School Enrollment K-12: 175

Major Employers: Savage School District, Westmoreland Savage Inc. Coal Mine

Savage was one of the many towns springing up along the new rails lines at the turn of the century, boosted by the work of the Lower Yellowstone Reclamation Project.  Most residents are employed in agriculture or providing services to those who do.  Just north of town is Westmoreland Savage Inc. Coal Mine and just down the roads lies Elk Island Recreation Area.   15 miles down Highway 16 lies Intake and the Lower Yellowstone Diversion dam, a prime paddlefishing site

Lambert

Population : Approx. 150 • School Enrollment K-12: 135

Major Employers: Lambert School District, Cenex Fertilizer Plant

Originally an incorporated town, Lambert was devastated in the early 1920's by a series of costly fires, which ultimately led to its becoming unincorporated in 1928.  Located in the western end of the county, Lambert boasts an excellent small town museum, and is located next door to the Fox Lake Wildlife Management area, an excellent waterfowl and general hunting spot.