McCone County is a county in Montana, United States, on the plains east of the Missouri and Musselshell river breaks. It had a population of 1,729 at the 2020 census and covers 2,683 square miles (6,950 km2), of which 40 square miles is water, centred near 47°39′N 105°48′W.
Circle is the county seat, and its postal code is 59215. The county has one incorporated town, three census-designated places, and a couple of small unincorporated settlements. Montana has no civil townships, so places here are grouped only by type. The county runs on Mountain time and its FIPS code is 30055.
Towns & Villages in McCone County
McCone County has one incorporated town (Circle), three census-designated places, and several unincorporated settlements and rural sites. CDP = Census-Designated Place, an unincorporated community the Census Bureau tracks separately; Unincorp. = unincorporated, with no town government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | Town · seat | 644 | 59215 |
| Vida | CDP | 297 | 59274 |
| Brockway | CDP | 46 | 59214 |
| Prairie Elk Colony | CDP | — | 59215 |
| Nickwall | Unincorp. | — | 59215 |
| Weldon | Unincorp. | — | 59215 |
The old page’s “Circle Trailer Court” and “Stephensons Trailer Court” entries are informal names for small residential clusters near Circle rather than distinct places, so they are folded into Circle here rather than listed separately. Prairie Elk Colony is a Hutterite communal farming colony rather than a conventional town, one of several such colonies scattered across McCone and neighboring counties.
ZIP Codes
- 59215 — Circle (also serves Nickwall, Weldon and Prairie Elk Colony)
- 59274 — Vida
- 59214 — Brockway
Every settlement in the county falls under one of these three post offices.
Geography
McCone County sits on rolling, grass-covered plains that break sharply into badland coulees along the Missouri River, which forms much of the county’s northern boundary, and the Big Dry Creek and Redwater River drainages that cross it. Part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge lies within the county along the Missouri breaks. The county borders Valley County and Garfield County to the west, Roosevelt County to the north, Richland County to the northeast, Dawson County to the east, and Prairie County to the south.
Links to neighboring county pages: Valley County, Garfield County, Roosevelt County, Richland County, Dawson County and Prairie County.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 1,729 residents, making McCone one of Montana’s least populated counties. Circle is by far the largest community, followed by Vida. Median household income runs below the Montana median of $70,804, typical of the state’s sparsely settled eastern plains counties. Population density is under 1 person per square mile, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Wheat and cattle ranching drive the county’s economy, with dryland grain farming across the plains and grazing along the river breaks. McCone County Health Center in Circle is the area’s main employer outside agriculture, and McCone County High School serves the district, with its athletic teams known as the Circle Wildcats. Grain elevators at Circle and Vida remain the local shipping points for the harvest, and the county fair in Circle is the area’s biggest annual gathering.
History
McCone County was organized in 1919, carved out of Dawson and Valley counties, and named for George McCone, an early Dawson County commissioner and state senator. Circle was chosen as county seat the same year, taking its name from a nearby cattle brand, the Circle Ranch. Like much of eastern Montana, the county saw a homestead-era population surge in the 1910s and early 1920s, as dryland farmers filed claims on the plains under federal homestead acts, followed by a long decline through the 20th century as smaller farms consolidated into larger ranching and grain operations. That consolidation pattern is why the county’s population today is a fraction of its early-1920s peak, even as the amount of land under cultivation has grown.
Getting There
Montana Highways 13, 24 and 200 cross the county, meeting at Circle.
- Glendive — 55 miles east
- Sidney — 65 miles northeast
- Miles City — 90 miles south
- Glasgow — 70 miles northwest
The nearest commercial airport is Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport, about 65 miles northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is McCone County?
It’s in eastern Montana, along the Missouri River breaks between Glasgow and Glendive.
What is the population of McCone County?
1,729 at the 2020 census.
How big is McCone County?
2,683 square miles (6,950 km2), including 40 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of McCone County?
Circle is the county seat.
How many towns are in McCone County?
One incorporated town (Circle), three census-designated places, and a few small unincorporated settlements.
What ZIP codes are in McCone County?
59215 (Circle), 59274 (Vida) and 59214 (Brockway).
What is McCone County named after?
George McCone, an early Dawson County commissioner who later served as a Montana state senator.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Montana.