Alder, Montana

Coordinates: 45°19′28″N 112°6′29″W / 45.32444°N 112.10806°W / 45.32444; -112.10806
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Alder, Montana
The old Fire Station in Alder, photo 2007
The old Fire Station in Alder, photo 2007
Location of Alder, Montana
Location of Alder, Montana
Coordinates: 45°19′28″N 112°6′29″W / 45.32444°N 112.10806°W / 45.32444; -112.10806
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyMadison
Area
 • Total2.01 sq mi (5.20 km2)
 • Land2.01 sq mi (5.20 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
5,121 ft (1,561 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total86
 • Density42.85/sq mi (16.55/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59710
Area code406
FIPS code30-00850
GNIS feature ID0801986

Alder is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madison County, Montana, United States. The population was 86 at the 2020 census. The community takes its name from Alder Creek (named by Henry Edgar in 1863), the site of the second major gold discovery in Montana.[2]

Geography[edit]

Alder is located at 45°19′28″N 112°6′29″W / 45.32444°N 112.10806°W / 45.32444; -112.10806 (45.324531, -112.108035).[3] Montana Highway 287 passes through town. Ruby Reservoir is to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.

Climate[edit]

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Alder has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[4]

Climate data for Alder 19 S, Montana, 1991–2020 normals: 5749ft (1752m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 61
(16)
58
(14)
69
(21)
76
(24)
85
(29)
93
(34)
90
(32)
94
(34)
92
(33)
83
(28)
68
(20)
59
(15)
94
(34)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 47.7
(8.7)
48.9
(9.4)
59.9
(15.5)
71.0
(21.7)
78.5
(25.8)
84.0
(28.9)
88.4
(31.3)
88.8
(31.6)
83.2
(28.4)
72.2
(22.3)
61.2
(16.2)
46.5
(8.1)
89.9
(32.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 33.1
(0.6)
35.8
(2.1)
44.7
(7.1)
52.8
(11.6)
62.5
(16.9)
70.2
(21.2)
80.5
(26.9)
78.8
(26.0)
69.5
(20.8)
55.9
(13.3)
41.2
(5.1)
31.2
(−0.4)
54.7
(12.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 22.2
(−5.4)
24.9
(−3.9)
32.6
(0.3)
39.1
(3.9)
47.8
(8.8)
54.5
(12.5)
62.4
(16.9)
61.2
(16.2)
53.1
(11.7)
41.5
(5.3)
29.9
(−1.2)
20.8
(−6.2)
40.8
(4.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 11.4
(−11.4)
13.9
(−10.1)
20.6
(−6.3)
25.5
(−3.6)
33.1
(0.6)
38.9
(3.8)
44.2
(6.8)
43.6
(6.4)
36.7
(2.6)
27.2
(−2.7)
18.5
(−7.5)
10.5
(−11.9)
27.0
(−2.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −13.8
(−25.4)
−10.4
(−23.6)
0.1
(−17.7)
7.5
(−13.6)
18.8
(−7.3)
27.3
(−2.6)
34.1
(1.2)
33.3
(0.7)
23.5
(−4.7)
11.6
(−11.3)
−3.6
(−19.8)
−14.8
(−26.0)
−21.3
(−29.6)
Record low °F (°C) −28
(−33)
−34
(−37)
−29
(−34)
3
(−16)
12
(−11)
23
(−5)
30
(−1)
28
(−2)
18
(−8)
−6
(−21)
−21
(−29)
−33
(−36)
−34
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.45
(11)
0.38
(9.7)
0.82
(21)
1.54
(39)
2.18
(55)
2.46
(62)
1.27
(32)
1.21
(31)
1.27
(32)
0.98
(25)
0.68
(17)
0.58
(15)
13.82
(349.7)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 8.20
(20.8)
7.50
(19.1)
8.40
(21.3)
9.70
(24.6)
3.60
(9.1)
0.10
(0.25)
0.00
(0.00)
0.00
(0.00)
0.20
(0.51)
3.10
(7.9)
8.00
(20.3)
8.40
(21.3)
57.2
(145.16)
Source 1: NOAA (Alder 17 S snowfall)[5][6]
Source 2: XMACIS2 (records & monthly max/mins)[7]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
202086
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
Aerial view of Alder, June 2008

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 116 people, 48 households, and 25 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 57.6 inhabitants per square mile (22.2/km2). There were 69 housing units at an average density of 34.3 per square mile (13.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 100.00% White.

There were 48 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,458, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,300. There were no families and 1.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Media[edit]

The Madisonian is a newspaper serving the Madison and Ruby Valleys, which includes Twin Bridges.[10] It is printed weekly and offers an e-edition.

In popular culture[edit]

Alder is mentioned in the song "Myrna Loy", by American songwriter Josh Ritter, from his 2017 album Gathering.[11]

Alder is the setting for the western romance novel Desperate Hearts by Roseanne Bittner.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Aarstad, Rich, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler, Charlene Porsild, and Brian Shovers. Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman Archived 2009-10-08 at the Wayback Machine. Montana Historical Society Press.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Climate Summary for Alder, Montana
  5. ^ "Alder 19 S, Montana 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "Alder 17 S, Montana 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  7. ^ "xmACIS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "Home page". The Madisonian. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Josh Ritter - Myrna Loy".

External links[edit]

Media related to Alder, Montana at Wikimedia Commons