Box Elder, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Hill County County

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
39 Population 49/sq mi density
$157,800 Home Value $251,865 Zillow
45°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Box Elder has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.3 inches. The area receives 41.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Geography

Elevation2,670 ft (814 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density49/sq mi
Coordinates48.3231°N, 110.0177°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyHill County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
85 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.3"
65% below US avg
Snowfall 41.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.12"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.9 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score50.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability67.1 / 100
Community Resilience38.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.9. Most recent: M3.1 on Apr 2, 2014.

Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 99 km
Jun 5, 1991 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana M3.6 147 km
Apr 2, 2014 13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana M3.1 149 km
Dec 5, 1991 15 km WSW of Hays, Montana M3.0 93 km
Feb 25, 2013 28 km WSW of Chester, Montana M2.5 95 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

29 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 69 km 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 39 km 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 51 km 0
Jul 8, 2002 EF1 65 km 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 89 km 0
Jun 16, 1995 EF1 75 km 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 92 km 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 77 km 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 38 km 0
May 24, 1977 EF1 62 km 0
Jul 10, 1965 EF1 82 km 0
Jul 1, 1962 EF1 25 km 0
Aug 26, 2022 EF0 78 km 0
Jun 23, 2018 EF0 97 km 0
Jun 13, 2014 EF0 59 km 0
Jun 5, 2012 EF0 35 km 0
Jun 17, 2005 EF0 83 km 0
Aug 5, 2002 EF0 99 km 0
Jul 7, 1999 EF0 90 km 0
Jun 18, 1999 EF0 65 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BLAINE C (138,192 ac, 1991).

Year Name Acres Distance
1991 BLAINE C 138,192 61 km
2021 TAYLOR 21,704 96 km
2017 EAST FORK 21,165 34 km
2009 MEISSNER 12,318 100 km
1984 CENTENNIAL 11,775 21 km
2006 MAGGIE 8,187 85 km
2022 EAGLE CREEK 6,359 35 km
1988 LOSTCANYON 4,532 22 km
2008 CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX 4,365 51 km
2003 LAKE17 4,054 91 km
2014 MIDDLE BLACK 3,854 84 km
2012 OUTHOUSE 3,179 46 km
2007 CHOUTEAU CO ASST 2,646 73 km
2014 2 RAINTRAP PASTURE PRESCRIBED FIRE 2,311 85 km
2021 FOUR SISTERS 1,999 91 km
2011 WILD HORSE 1,882 88 km
2021 EAGLE BUTTE 1,817 53 km
2013 PEOPLES CREEK 1,623 92 km
1988 P N 1,533 73 km
2012 BIG STRETCH 1,524 18 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 24°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 0.5 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.3 in
May 55°F (13°C) 2.1 in
June 62°F (17°C) 3.1 in Wettest
July 70°F (21°C) 1.4 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 1.0 in
September 59°F (15°C) 1.2 in
October 46°F (8°C) 0.9 in
November 33°F (0°C) 0.6 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 0.4 in

Box Elder has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 20°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and February the driest (0.4").

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