Wheatland County is a county in Montana, United States, on the central plains between the Big Snowy and Crazy mountain ranges. It had a population of 2,069 at the 2020 census and covers 1,428 square miles (3,700 km2), of which 1,423 square miles are land, centred near 46°28′N 109°50′W.
Harlowton is the county seat, and its postal code is 59036. The county has two incorporated towns, one census-designated place recognised by the 2020 census, and several unincorporated colonies. It sits in the Mountain time zone.
Towns & Villages in Wheatland County
Most residents live along U.S. Highway 12 and U.S. Highway 191, the two routes that cross at Harlowton. The rest of the county is open wheat and cattle country dotted with small Hutterite colonies.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlowton | City · seat | 955 | 59036 |
| Judith Gap | Town | — | 59453 |
| Twodot | CDP | — | 59077 |
| Shawmut | Unincorp. | — | 59078 |
| Duncan Ranch Colony | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Martinsdale Colony | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Springwater Colony | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 59036 — Harlowton (also serves the surrounding ranch country west of town)
- 59453 — Judith Gap (also serves the Judith Gap wind-farm area)
- 59077 — Twodot
- 59078 — Shawmut
The colonies and outlying ranches use the ZIP code of whichever post office town is closest along the highway.
Geography
Wheatland County spans open, rolling wheat and cattle country in central Montana, with the Big Snowy Mountains visible to the north and the Crazy Mountains to the southwest. The Musselshell River crosses the county near Harlowton and Twodot, and Careless Creek drains the eastern half toward the Musselshell. Most of the land is dryland farming and grazing, with little surface water beyond the river corridor.
Wheatland County borders Judith Basin County and Fergus County to the north, Golden Valley County to the east, Sweet Grass County to the south, and Meagher County to the west.
Demographics
The county had a population of 2,069 at the 2020 census, with a 2025 estimate of about 2,100. Harlowton and Judith Gap are the two largest communities. Median household income in Wheatland County runs below the Montana state figure of $70,804. Population density is roughly 1.5 people per square mile, among the more sparsely settled counties in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the local economy — wheat, barley, oats, hay, cattle and sheep — alongside wind power from the Judith Gap Wind Farm, one of Montana’s larger turbine installations. Harlowton’s employers include Wheatland Memorial Healthcare, Harlowton Public Schools, the Musselshell Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Midtown Market grocery, Rays Sport and Western Wear, and Cream of the West cereal mill. The county fair and rodeo in Harlowton each summer is the area’s biggest annual gathering.
History
Wheatland County was created on February 22, 1917, from parts of Meagher and Sweet Grass counties. Its name comes from the wheat-growing land that covers much of the new county. Harlowton, founded in 1900 as a Montana Railroad station, was named for railroad president Richard A. Harlow. The Milwaukee Road electrified its mainline through Harlowton from 1915 to 1974, and the town’s roundhouse and depot recall that era.
Getting There
U.S. Highways 12 and 191 cross at Harlowton, and Montana Highway 3 runs north toward Great Falls. Wheatland County Airport, two miles northwest of Harlowton, serves general aviation.
- Billings — about 100 miles southeast
- Great Falls — about 100 miles north
- Lewistown — about 50 miles north
- Big Timber — about 45 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Billings Logan International Airport; the nearest Amtrak service is the Empire Builder station at Havre, roughly 150 miles north.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harlowton postcode?
Harlowton, the Wheatland County seat, uses ZIP code 59036.
What is the population of Wheatland County?
The county had a population of 2,069 at the 2020 census.
What is the county seat of Wheatland County?
Harlowton is the county seat.
When was Wheatland County created?
It was organized on February 22, 1917, from parts of Meagher and Sweet Grass counties.
Where did Wheatland County get its name?
From the wheat-growing land that covers much of the county.
What counties border Wheatland County?
Judith Basin and Fergus to the north, Golden Valley to the east, Sweet Grass to the south, and Meagher to the west.
What is the largest town in Wheatland County?
Harlowton, with 955 residents at the 2020 census.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Montana.