Richland County encompasses just over 2,100 square miles of land with an estimated population of 9,746 residents living in the cities and towns of Crane, Fairview, Lambert, Savage and the county seat, Sidney.

Richland County separated from Dawson County in 1914, and Sidney became the county seat. Richland county is located in northeastern Montana. This is a place of wide-open spaces, breathtaking natural beauty, and an adaptable, diverse economy. Richland County citizens take pride in their community, and unsaid expression of warmth, dedication, and drive to make the best with what they have. This vision has been passed down from generation to generation, as pioneers of long ago carved out of their spots in history to be recognized even today.

The adequate supply of irrigation water availability from the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers fosters an optimum environment for agricultural crops. The management of the water falls under the control of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County

Crane

Crane is an unincorporated community in Richland County. 91 people call Crane home and while there are no schools, it does have a US Post Office.

Crane is just ten miles south of Sidney and is located along the Yellowstone River, where there are numerous recreational opportunities. Its blue-ribbon waters are well-known among anglers for their trout.

Seven Sisters public fishing access is located northeast through Crane, and is bordered by approximately three-fourths of a mile of Yellowstone River side channel.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County

Fairview

Incorporated in 1913, Fairview became known for it’s unique distinction of being a two-state community, with the town straddling the Montana-North Dakota borders.

Fairview is the sugar beet capital of both Montana and North Dakota, and a large part of its irrigated farmland is devoted to growing sugar beets.

The community highlights include a beautiful city park, which offers a free campground and RV hookups, as well a public swimming pool with a young kid area. The Fairview Bridge, located at Sundheim Park, is a treasure that draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County

Lambert

Lambert is home to 686 residents and was originally an incorporated town and was later devastated in the early 1920s due to a series of costly fires, which ultimately led to its un-incorporation in 1928. The town is located in the western end of the county.

In an effort to draw additional families to Lambert, the school district opted to construct new housing for teachers. In addition, the school district updated and renovated the entire school building adding a new gymnasium, classrooms, as well as a state-of-the-art library.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County

Savage

Savage is home to 303 people, with of the residents employed in agriculture or providing services to those who do. Savage school also employs several residents.

Savage was one of the many towns that sprung up along the new railroad lines at the turn of the century. The community was provided by a boost from work on the Lower Yellowstone Reclamation Project (now known as the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project).

Located west of the town is the Westmoreland Coal Mine and to northeast of town lies Elk Island Recreation Area. Also located fifteen miles south of Savage on Highway 16 is Intake and the Lower Yellowstone Diversion Dam, a prime site for paddle fishing.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County

Sidney

Sidney is home to around 6,346 folks. Sidney was incorporated in 1911. Sidney is the second largest city in Eastern Montana next to Miles City, and the 20th largest city in the State. Sidney dates back to 1888 and is known as the “Sunrise City”.

Many of the highlights include the MonDak Heritage Center & Art Gallery, one of the best-combined museum and art facilities in the state. Sidney is the home of a beautiful eighteen-hole golf course and clubhouse, has the only indoor hockey arena in Eastern Montana, and an Olympic-size pool with two waterslides.

Sidney is the home of the Richland County Event Center located at the fairgrounds. Sidney has been historically recognized for the trees, as well as numerous surrounding municipal parks. Sidney is considered to be a major retail center for Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota.

Sidney is home to a sugar beet factory, built in 1925. The factory is the largest employer in Sidney.

Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County
Richland County