Richey - Scenic View

Richey

The Prairie Pride of Eastern Montana

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Quick Facts
Population
238
County
Dawson County
Region
Eastern Montana
Elevation
2,490 ft
Top Industry
Education & Healthcare
Nearest Hospital
McCone County Health Center (28.9 mi)
Zip Code
59259
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

🛩️ Glendive (GDV)
44 miles
~59m drive
🛩️ Wolf Point (OLF)
47 miles
~1h 1m drive
🛩️ Sidney (SDY)
49 miles
~1h 4m drive
Browse recreation

Map & Nearby

Explore Richey on the interactive map with 3 nearby towns and 3 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 Richey

Outdoor Recreation Near Richey

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3.1/10
Moderate
7 sites within 30 mi
4 categories

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

History & Heritage

History & Heritage

The quiet town of Richey represents the vast, enduring frontier spirit of Montana.

The history of Richey is closely tied to the pioneering spirit of early Montana. Founded during the homesteading or railroad eras, the town grew as a central hub for the surrounding farmers and ranchers who worked the expansive plains and river valleys. Today, it retains its deep agricultural heritage and stands as a testament to the resilience of rural Montana communities.

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

Historic markers in Richey (1)tap to expand
Richey

In the fall of 1909, a Great Northern Railway survey crew came through here and by 1912 all of the surrounding area had been homesteaded except the badlands. Those early years were hard on the settlers. In spite of the survey, there were no roads, no railroad, no market, no grain elevators and some years no crops!

In 1911 one of the homesteaders, Clyde Richey, applied for a post office to serve the area, and the town has borne his name ever since. As the railroad built in this direction, a squatter town sprouted up on the prairie and farmers sold stock to build an elevator. In 1916, Great Northern officially surveyed a townsite and sold lots. The "old town" merchants quickly moved to be near the depot and the first newspaper began publication. The entire community celebrated Steel Day, Dec. 2, 1916, when the first train arrived on the tracks, laying the last ties before it as it came.

The Great Northern intended to extend the line across central Montana into Lewiston, but World War I interrupted those plans and the line terminated at Richey. As in so many areas, the other small towns nearby died out as the railroad town became the trade center. In February 1986, the BNSF Railway Company removed the tracks and once again Richey was without a railroad.

Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.

Settlements

Historic markers map

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

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Events & Festivals in Richey

We do not have featured local listings for Richey yet.

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 Richey

Quick Facts

  • Population: ~TBD
  • County: TBD County
  • Elevation: TBD ft
  • Known For: Historical agricultural roots, stunning Montana landscapes, and quiet small-town charm.

Top Things to Do in Richey

  • Explore the Surrounding Wilderness: Richey serves as a fantastic, quiet basecamp for exploring the vast public lands, rivers, and mountain ranges that define this region of Montana.
  • Experience Local Culture: Visit the local businesses, cafes, and historic sites in town to experience the genuine, welcoming hospitality of a classic Montana ranching community.
  • Hunting and Fishing: The surrounding agricultural fields, prairies, and waterways provide excellent, uncrowded opportunities for seasonal hunting and fishing.

Local Industry & Economy

The economy of Richey is primarily driven by agriculture. The vast expanses of land surrounding the town are dedicated to cattle ranching and dryland farming (primarily wheat, barley, and hay). Small, locally-owned businesses provide essential services and goods to the community, while the local school district often serves as one of the primary civic anchors and employers in town.

Getting There & Nearby Destinations

  • Getting There: Richey is accessible via Montana's network of scenic state highways and local county roads, offering a beautiful drive no matter which direction you approach from.
  • Nearby Destinations:
    • Regional Hubs: Larger neighboring cities offer comprehensive dining, shopping, and commercial airports.
    • State Parks and Public Lands: Visitors can easily take day trips to nearby state parks, national forests, or wildlife refuges.

Where to Stay in Richey

Because Richey is a smaller, residential community, traditional commercial lodging can be limited.

  • Local Motels: There may be small, independent motels in or near town offering basic accommodations for highway travelers and hunters.
  • Nearby Cities: Many visitors choose to stay in larger regional hubs a short drive away, utilizing Richey as a scenic day-trip destination.
  • Camping: For outdoor enthusiasts, nearby public lands often provide beautiful, rustic camping options.
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Richey Climate

Average Monthly Climate: Richey

MonthAvg HighAvg LowPrecipSnow
Jan30°F13°F0.5"1"
Feb26°F7°F0.8"2"
Mar40°F19°F0.5"1.1"
Apr51°F29°F1.4"2.3"
May65°F42°F2.2"0.3"
Jun77°F55°F2"0"
Jul85°F61°F1.2"0"
Aug83°F59°F1"0"
Sep73°F51°F2.1"0"
Oct53°F35°F1.6"1.7"
Nov40°F22°F0.7"1.3"
Dec30°F13°F0.7"1.8"
Housing & Economy

Housing & Cost of Living

$176,311
Typical Home Value
Census (2019–23): $105,600
$455/mo
Median Rent
$66,250
Median Household Income
National Rankings
Home Value19th percentile
Rent2nd percentile
Income52nd percentile
Affordability Ratio (home price ÷ income)2.7xAffordable
Percentile among ~21,000 U.S. cities. Higher = more expensive (home/rent) or higher earning (income).
Housing Availability
142
Total Housing Units
33.1%
Vacancy Rate
Employment & Economy
ACS 5-Year 2019–2023
8.2%
Unemployment Rate
MT avg: ~3.5%
68.2%
Labor Force Participation
112
Employed Residents
Top Industries
Education & Healthcare
23.2%
Retail
19.6%
Agriculture & Mining
8.9%
Home values from Zillow ZHVI (Jun 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
🏫
Richey Public Schools
~60 students
Richey in Rankings & Guides
Compare Richey with Another Town
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Explore Nearby Destinations

CirclePoplarWolf Point

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