Jordan - Scenic View

Jordan

The Loneliest Town in America

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Quick Facts
Population
321
County
Garfield County
Region
Eastern Montana
Elevation
2,608 ft
Top Industry
Education & Healthcare
Nearest Hospital
Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (61.8 mi)
Zip Code
59337
Area Code
406
Time Zone
Mountain Time (MT)
Industry: Census ACS 5-Year 2019–2023 · Hospital: MT DPHHS 2024
Current Weather
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Airport Distances

Nearest Major Airports

🛩️ Glasgow (GGW)
76 miles
~1h 30m drive
🛩️ Wolf Point (OLF)
98 miles
~1h 53m drive
🛩️ Glendive (GDV)
119 miles
~2h 14m drive
Browse recreation

Map & Nearby

Explore Jordan on the interactive map with 3 nearby towns and 2 highlighted recreation sites. Use the zoom controls or select a recreation item to focus it on the map.

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Outdoor Recreation Near Jordan

Outdoor Recreation Near Jordan

Jump to map →
4.4/10
Moderate
6 sites within 30 mi
5 categories

Distances are straight-line estimates. Driving distances may be longer. Data: OpenStreetMap contributors & editorial research.

History & Heritage

History & Heritage

Jordan was settled in 1896 by Arthur J. Jordan along Big Dry Creek; post office established July 11, 1899. Garfield County created 1915 with Jordan as seat (1919). Population peaked at 457 (1920) during the homestead boom; 1920s bust and 1930s droughts reversed gains. Incorporated 1951. New Deal built high school/dormitory (1936). The Montana Freemen standoff (March 25–June 13, 1996) brought national attention: ~12 armed sovereign-citizen adherents barricaded at Justus Ranch 25 miles northeast; 81-day siege ended peacefully with 16 surrenders. Garfield County Museum houses T. rex and Triceratops replicas, Stygimoloch skull; part of Montana Dinosaur Trail. Hell Creek State Park, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (Jordan Wildlife Station) nearby.

Official historic markers tied to Jordan in our statewide dataset. Expand the list to read inscriptions and follow links to full pages or deep reads where available. Browse Garfield County on the map · History trails

Historic markers in Jordan (2)tap to expand
In Memory of this B-17F Flying Fortress Crew

of the 401st Bombardment Group at Lewiston, who died Aug. 24, 1943 in a training mission accident on the Fred Gibson Ranch, Garfield County

Lt. James W. Lynch • Lt. William L. Luedke • Lt. Walter L. Eckerman

Lt. Michael F. Rodgers • Sgt. Edward C. Gregorich

Sgt. Frederick T. Melynchek • Sgt. Morris S. Kincaid

Sgt. Henry J. Downs • Sgt. Cecil K. Nolen • Pvt. Charles S. Burnette

PFC. John L. Dlouhy

Our forgotten World War II Heroes always loved and now saluted forever by their families & friends

disasters
Indian Country

Until the early 1880s this portion of Montana was wild and unsettled country. Various Indian tribes used this region for hunting bison and gathering other resources. Many of these tribes lived in tipis. Most tribes used a tripod when raising the tipi. The Crow and the Blackfeet used a four based pole. Prior to the use of wooden stakes to hold the hem of the tipi down, rocks were used. When the camp moved they would pull the tipi out from the rocks leaving a circle of stones. Tipi rings can still be found throughout Indian country. Interactions between the tribes consisted of trade, marriage, and warfare. Warfare on the plains consisted of acts of honor or "counting coup." Although many tribes used the area, it was generally occupied by the Binnéessippeele or River Crow band of the Apsáalooke Nation.

The large bison herds were slaughtered for their skins and as a means to diminish the food source of the Indian nations. The 1850s saw the beginning of treaties that controlled the movement of Indians through reservations. Each subsequent treaty decreased the size of the Indian reservations. With the bison gone and the limitations of the reservations, a way of life ended. The way of the warrior faded away.

Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.

Historic markers map

Open the interactive map filtered to Jordan. The view zooms to the markers for this community.

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Events & Festivals in Jordan

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Montana statewide events & festivals calendar

Browse the statewide calendar for festivals, fairs, rodeos, and concerts across Montana.

View all Montana events · Where to stay in Jordan

Quick Facts

  • Population: 356 (2020 Census)
  • County: Garfield County
  • Elevation: 2,608 ft
  • Known For: Hell Creek Formation paleontology (first T. rex identified nearby, 1902), Garfield County Museum, Montana Freemen standoff (1996), and vast ranching country.
  • Fun Fact: Barnum Brown discovered one of the first Tyrannosaurus rex specimens in the Hell Creek Formation near Jordan in 1902. Jerry Kramer (Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers) was born here in 1936. The 81-day Montana Freemen standoff (March–June 1996) occurred 25 miles northeast at Justus Ranch.

Notable People

  • Jerry Kramer (b. 1936): Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive guard; five NFL championships with Green Bay Packers; "Ice Bowl" participant; author of Instant Replay (1968).
  • Barnum Brown (1873–1963): Paleontologist who discovered one of the first T. rex specimens near Jordan in 1902.

Top Things to Do in Jordan

  • Garfield County Museum: Montana Dinosaur Trail; T. rex and Triceratops replicas, Hell Creek fossils.
  • Hell Creek State Park: Fort Peck Reservoir access; boating, fishing (walleye, sauger), hiking.
  • Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge: 1.3 million acres; hunting, birdwatching, primitive camping.
  • PaleoWorld Research Foundation / Paleo X: Guided fossil digs in the badlands.

Local Industry & Economy

Agriculture dominates (cattle ranching, dryland farming); ~48% of county employment. Garfield County: 238 farms (2022), beef cattle primary. Oil/gas modest. Retail, healthcare support local needs.

Getting There & Nearby Destinations

Where to Stay in Jordan

  • Local Motels: Basic accommodations for travelers and hunters.
  • Camping: Hell Creek State Park, CMR Refuge primitive sites, nearby public lands.
Vacation Rentals via VRBO Hotels via Expedia

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Jordan Climate

Average Monthly Climate: Jordan

MonthAvg HighAvg LowPrecipSnow
Jan35°F19°F0.5"0.9"
Feb28°F11°F0.8"2.1"
Mar41°F22°F0.6"1.1"
Apr53°F33°F1.3"1.8"
May65°F45°F1.6"0.4"
Jun78°F57°F2.1"0"
Jul87°F63°F0.7"0"
Aug85°F62°F0.8"0"
Sep74°F53°F1.8"0"
Oct54°F36°F1.3"1.5"
Nov43°F26°F0.7"1.3"
Dec34°F17°F0.6"1.5"
Housing & Economy

Housing & Cost of Living

$240,451
Typical Home Value
Census (2019–23): $110,200
$835/mo
Median Rent
$43,594
Median Household Income
National Rankings
Home Value40th percentile
Rent35th percentile
Income15th percentile
Affordability Ratio (home price ÷ income)5.5xExpensive
Percentile among ~21,000 U.S. cities. Higher = more expensive (home/rent) or higher earning (income).
Housing Availability
209
Total Housing Units
25.8%
Vacancy Rate
Employment & Economy
ACS 5-Year 2019–2023
0%
Unemployment Rate
MT avg: ~3.5%
48.8%
Labor Force Participation
121
Employed Residents
Top Industries
Education & Healthcare
30.6%
Retail
16.5%
Construction
10.7%
Home values from Zillow ZHVI (May 2026). Income, vacancy,, employment, industry, from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2019–2023. Data may not reflect current conditions. Check Zillow for the latest market data.
Schools
🏫
Garfield County Schools
~80 students
Jordan in Rankings & Guides
Compare Jordan with Another Town
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Explore Nearby Destinations

Fort PeckNashuaGlasgow

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