Hamilton was founded by copper kingMarcus Daly in the late 19th century.[6] It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad.[7] Daly is said to have wanted to begin business in the then county seat of Grantsdale, but was denied the opportunity. He supposedly founded Hamilton out of his own pocket as a reaction to being rebuffed at Grantsdale.
In the summer of 2000, Hamilton made international headlines when forest fires throughout the Bitterroot Valley filled the area with smoke and prompted the evacuation of many residents. President Clinton declared a state of emergency in the area and dispatched National Guard troops to assist with fighting the fires.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.57 square miles (6.66 km2), of which 2.53 square miles (6.55 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[9]
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 4,348 people, 2,175 households, and 1,006 families living in the city. The population density was 1,718.6 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km2). There were 2,456 housing units at an average density of 970.8 per square mile (374.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.
There were 2,175 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.7% were non-families. 47.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.72.
The median age in the city was 43 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 3,705 people, 1,772 households, and 855 families living in the city. The population density was 1,603.6 inhabitants per square mile (619.2/km2). There were 1,915 housing units at an average density of 828.8 per square mile (320.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.22% White, 0.11% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 1,772 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.7% were non-families. 47.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,013, and the median income for a family was $30,665. Males had a median income of $25,795 versus $22,138 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,689. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Hamilton is, as of 2004, home to two microbiological research and production facilities: the government-run Rocky Mountain Laboratories, and a branch of the Corixa Corporation (bought in the late 1990s from Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc.). The Corixa Corporation was bought by GlaxoSmithKline in 2005. NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) completed construction of a Biosafety Level 4 biohazard laboratory as part of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) facility in 2008. This facility has begun operations using highly-pathogenic organisms including the Lentivirus family of viruses.[14]
Hamilton had one of the last remaining Kmart stores in the United States, which was the only remaining one in the state of Montana and the entire Mountain time zone.[15] However, plans to close the Kmart store were announced in January 2022, with its final day of business conducted on March 6, 2022.[16]
Government
Dominic Farrenkopf became Mayor in 2018.[1] Hamilton's City Council has three Wards with two representatives from each Ward.[17]
Arts and culture
The Ravalli County Museum, founded in 1955, is located in the former Ravalli County Courthouse and focuses on county history, natural history and art.[18] The Daly Mansion, home of Marcus Daly, offers tours. This luxurious mansion has over 50 rooms, 26 acres of lawns, and several outbuildings.[19]
Being located in the dramatically scenic Bitterroot Valley Hamilton is a great place for outdoor activity. Nature hikes and wildlife viewing opportunities are boundless. River Park and Skalkaho Bend offer trails in town.[20]
A large skatepark, Circle 13, is at Claudia Driscoll Park.[21] It is one of the skateparks built by Montana Pool Service, a project founded by Jeff Ament.[22]
The 700-seat Hamilton Performing Arts Center at Hamilton High School is home for the annual Bitterroot Performing Arts Series, produced by the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council, as well as other school and public productions throughout the year.
Infrastructure
Hamilton is located directly on U.S. Route 93. It is intersected by Montana Secondary Highway 269.
The Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana is located in Hamilton.[25] In May 2012, it was renamed Bitterroot College University of Montana.[26][27]
The Bitterroot Public Library serves the town of Hamilton. It was one of the 17 Carnegie libraries built in Montana.[28]
Media
Hamilton's newspaper is the Ravalli Republic.[29] It is a daily broadsheet offered as print or e-edition as well as having online news.
Five radio stations are licensed in Hamilton: KBAZ[30] with mainstream rock, KHKM[31] with adult hits, KLYQ[32] is news/talk, KMZO[33] is a religious channel, and KUFN[34] public radio.
