Plentywood, Montana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plentywood is a city in Sheridan County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,061 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sheridan County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Schools
4 Athletics
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Plentywood is located at 48°46′34″N, 104°33′32″W (48.776134, -104.558856)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,061 people, 857 households, and 522 families residing in the city. The population density was 680.1/km² (1,756.1/mi²). There were 1,020 housing units at an average density of 336.6/km² (869.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.14% White, 0.15% African American, 0.97% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 857 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The principal occupational opportunities in Plentywood include medical, school, and local government jobs. However, Plentywood remains a rural, agricultural community basing much of its income on the land through farming, ranching, and hunting.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,037, and the median income for a family was $37,679. Males had a median income of $24,741 versus $20,662 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,609. About 10.6% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Schools

Plentywood is home to the largest high school in Sheridan County. A new school building was constructed on the previous site after a fire destroyed most of the original building in the early 1990's.

The athletic teams are known as the Plentywood Wildcats and compete in Montana's Class B High School Classification.

The 1976 boys basketball team coached by C.C. "Zoonie" McLean won the Montana Class A title. In 1978, the boys basketball team won the Class B title after declining enrollment resulted in a downward classification. The 1979 boys basketball team finished as runners-up to the archrival Scobey Spartans at the State B Boys Basketball Tournament.

The 1981 Plentywood Wildcats football team, coached by Ron Smith, beat the Big Timber Herders for the State B title in Big Timber.

In 1997 the Plentywood Wildcat football team also made it to the state championship losing to Frenchtown.

The 1999 and 2000 Girls' Golf Team won the State B-C title.

For 5 years from 1997-2001 Plentywood was the state champion girls' 4x400 relay winner.

[edit] Athletics

A number of stand out athletes have competed in Plentywood. Zoonie McLean Jr. was starting quarterback for the Montana State Bobcats in the late 60's and early 70's. Former University of Montana Grizzly basketball coach Don Holst is a PHS graduate as is current University of Montana assistant football coach Kraig Paulson. Long time University of Montana Grizzly women's basketball coach Robin Selvig is a native of nearby Outlook and his first teaching job was at Plentywood High School.

Baseball was one of the early sports to gain popularity in the Plentywood area. In fact, the rivalry between Plentywood and Scobey, 42 miles to the west, got so heated in the 1920s that supporters of each town team were known to bring in professional players as ringers. Members of the Chicago Black Sox were reputed to have played a part in this diamond rivalry.