Working & Living in Miles City

GPS Coordinates:
Miles City is located at 46°24'30?N, 105°50'24?W (46.408460, -105.840093)^GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.5 km² (3.3 mi²), all land.

Geography:
Miles City is the county seat of Custer County, the largest urban area in southeastern Montana, which is made up of fertile irrigated valleys, grassy slopes, short grass prairie, and badland buttes with pine-covered hills. It sits at the confluence of the Yellowstone River (the longest free-flowing river in the continental U.S.) and the Tongue River, a 250 mile long tributary of the Yellowstone that drains the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming.

DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,487 people, 3,528 households, and 2,194 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,002.1/km² (2,593.3/mi²). There were 3,890 housing units at an average density of 459.3/km² (1,188.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.72% Caucasion, 0.12% African-American, 1.39% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanics were 1.59% of the population.

There were 3,528 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,847, and the median income for a family was $41,190. Males had a median income of $30,123 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,449. About 9.4% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

ECONOMY
Miles City is the county seat of Custer County, the largest urban area in eastern Montana with a population of approximately 9,000 people, which has remained constant for the past 50 years. Miles City serves as the trade center for an extended region running almost 100 miles in all directions. As such, retail and services comprise the majority of firms with retail (70 businesses), accommodations and food services (49 businesses) and healthcare and social assistance (45 services). Miles City provides a regional source for healthcare, banking, governmental services, transportation, financial services, legal services and educational services through Miles Community College. Miles City also provides cultural and recreational opportunities for the region and has a growing retirement community.

Our community has a vast historical heritage with roots that extend from the days of the fur traders and the exploration by Lewis & Clark through the military establishment at Fort Keogh and the Native American presence, riverboat traffic on the Yellowstone River, and the railhead brought by the Northern Pacific Railway. Miles City was the destination for many trail drives of cattle between Texas and the grasslands of the northern plains. It was, for a time, the second largest banking center in Montana. Currently, Miles City has a historic district centered in the downtown commercial area and two residential historic districts. A strong community desire to preserve their heritage has led to the re-establishment of the Miles City Historic Preservation Commission, which pursues historic preservation through education, financial assistance and other activities.

SCHOOLS

Miles Community College, 2715 Dickinson St., Miles City, MT. 59301
Miles City is home to Miles Community College(MCC), one of three community colleges in Montana. MCC offers one-year certificates, two-year degrees, and/or metriculated transferability to the Montana University System across a broad curriculum, including: GED preparation, agriculture, automotive technology, building construction, information technology, and an RN nursing program. In addition, MCC provides custom programming for business and industry training, as well as continuing and community education. Moreover, Miles Community College is also a leader in distance learning with many of its programs offered through outreach, online learning and interactive television.
Miles City Public School District

Custer County District High School
District No. 1
20 S. Center St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.4920

Washington Middle School
210 N. 9th St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.2084

Lincoln Elementary School
210 S. Lake
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.1697

Jefferson Elementary School
106 N. Strevell
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.2888

Garfield Elementary School
1015 Milwaukee St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.4310

Highland Park Elementary School
716 Cale
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.3890
Sacred Heart Parish School
519 N. Center St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.3850
Trinity Lutheran Pre-school
221 S. Center St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.4983
Headstart Action for Eastern Montana
1608 N. Merriam St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.5223
Big County Educational Cooperative
2705 Main St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.1957

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Holy Rosary Healthcare
2500 Wilson
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.233.2600
Billings Clinic-Miles City
620 Haynes Ave.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.233.7000
Custer County Community Health Center
V.A. Building
210 Winchester Ave. S.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.8793

TRANSPORTATION

Great Lakes Aviation (Air)
Frank Wiley Field
Miles City, MT. 59301
800.544.5111
AMTRAK (Rail)
Via Wolf Point, MT. or Williston, ND
Greyhound Bus Lines (Bus)
6 S. 11th St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.234.3900
Badlands Taxi (Local & Charter)
609 Main St.
Miles City, MT. 59301
406.2341414

SERVICES