Zurich is an unincorporated community in Blaine County, Montana, United States, located at 48°35′4″N 109°1′50″W / 48.58444°N 109.03056°W / 48.58444; -109.03056.[3] Located along the Hi-Line of Montana, between Harlem and Chinook,[4] along U.S. Route 2. It has a post office with the ZIP code of 59547,[5] and a public school serving grades PK through 8. There is also a bar; the store and bank are closed and abandoned, as are two grain elevators and other business buildings. Various online sources give the population as 22-23 residents.

Zurich, Montana
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyBlaine
Area
 • Total0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2)
 • Land0.54 sq mi (1.39 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29
 • Density54.10/sq mi (20.88/km2)
FIPS code30-82750
GNIS feature ID778767[2]

The Milk River flows south of town.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
202029
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

History

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Sometime around 1887, Great Northern Railway officials named one of their main line sidings Zurich, for the city in Switzerland.[7] A post office was established in 1907. In 1913 the townsite was platted. In 1923, a population increase was occasioned by the arrival of Volga Germans seeking employment in sugar beet farming.

Climate

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According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Zurich has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[8]

Climate data for Zurich, Montana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −4
(25)
−3
(27)
4
(39)
14
(57)
19
(67)
23
(74)
29
(84)
28
(82)
21
(70)
15
(59)
5
(41)
−1
(31)
13
(55)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −16
(3)
−14
(6)
−8
(17)
0
(32)
6
(42)
10
(50)
13
(55)
12
(53)
6
(43)
1
(33)
−7
(20)
−12
(11)
−1
(31)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15
(0.6)
10
(0.4)
15
(0.6)
25
(1)
46
(1.8)
71
(2.8)
38
(1.5)
28
(1.1)
30
(1.2)
18
(0.7)
15
(0.6)
13
(0.5)
320
(12.7)
Source: Weatherbase [9]

Education

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Zurich educates students from kindergarten through 8th grade.[10]

Transportation

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Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Havre, 31 miles (50 km) to the west.

Notable person

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Zurich is the birthplace of Mike Tilleman.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Zurich, Montana
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Zurich, Montana
  4. ^ "Zurich, Montana Community Information". Central Montana. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  5. ^ "Zurich Post Office Hours". PostOfficeHours.net. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  7. ^ "Zurich". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  8. ^ Climate Summary for Zurich, Montana
  9. ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on October 25, 2013.
  10. ^ "Superintendent of Schools". Blaine County. October 22, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Fergerson, George. "Area legend Mike Tilleman dies at age 76". Havre Daily News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.

48°35′04″N 109°01′50″W / 48.58444°N 109.03056°W / 48.58444; -109.03056