Towner sprang up in 1886 with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway into the area.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.81 square miles (2.10 km2), all land.

There were 337 housing units at an average density of 416.0 per square mile (160.6/km2).

41.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

42.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop.

The nearest station is located in Rugby, 20 miles (32 km) to the east.

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.