Nestled in the heart of the American West, Wyoming is a land of breathtaking open spaces, rugged mountains, and surprising economic strength, where a population smaller than most major cities spreads across a vast landscape rich in natural resources and frontier history.
Key Takeaways
- Wyoming's population in 2020 was 576,851 according to the US Census.
- Wyoming has a population density of 5.97 people per square mile as of 2020.
- 88.5% of Wyoming residents are White alone, not Hispanic or Latino (2020).
- Wyoming's total area is 97,813 square miles.
- Wyoming ranks 10th largest state by area in the US.
- 84.7% of Wyoming's land is federally owned.
- Wyoming's GDP was $47.4 billion in 2022.
- Per capita personal income: $73,768 (2022).
- Unemployment rate: 3.0% (2023 avg.).
- Wyoming's legislature is bicameral with 31 Senators and 62 Representatives.
- Governor Mark Gordon (Republican) since 2019.
- Wyoming has one US House Representative: Harriet Hageman (R).
- Public school enrollment: 95,000 students (2022).
- High school graduation rate: 84% (2022).
- Average teacher salary: $64,000 (2023).
Wyoming is a sparsely populated, mineral-rich state dominated by stunning mountain ranges.
Demographics
1Wyoming's population in 2020 was 576,851 according to the US Census.
Verified2Wyoming has a population density of 5.97 people per square mile as of 2020.
Verified388.5% of Wyoming residents are White alone, not Hispanic or Latino (2020).
Verified4Hispanic or Latino population in Wyoming is 10.3% (2020 Census).
Directional5Wyoming's median age is 39.1 years (2020).
Single source68.0% of Wyoming's population is under 5 years old (2020).
Verified717.1% of Wyoming population is 65 years and over (2020).
Verified8Foreign-born persons in Wyoming: 3.5% (2018-2022).
Verified9Language other than English spoken at home: 7.3% (2018-2022).
Directional10Wyoming's population grew by 2.71% from 2010 to 2020.
Single source11Veterans in Wyoming: 7.3% of population 18+ (2018-2022).
Verified12Disability rate in Wyoming: 12.9% (2018-2022).
Verified13Laramie County has the largest population at 100,512 (2020).
Verified14Natrona County population: 79,476 (2020 Census).
Directional15Sweetwater County population: 42,272 (2020).
Single source16Campbell County population: 45,773 (2020).
Verified17Fremont County population: 38,173 (2020).
Verified18Albany County population: 38,332 (2020).
Verified19Sheridan County population: 31,322 (2020).
Directional20Park County population: 29,624 (2020).
Single source21Teton County population: 23,331 (2020).
Verified22Carbon County population: 14,933 (2020).
Verified23Niobrara County has the smallest population at 2,467 (2020).
Verified24Hot Springs County population: 4,696 (2020).
Directional25Platte County population: 8,289 (2020).
Single source26Wyoming's Cheyenne metro area population: 104,523 (2022 est.).
Verified27Casper metro area population: 78,844 (2022).
Verified28Median household income in Wyoming: $72,495 (2022).
Verified29Persons in poverty: 10.1% (2022).
DirectionalDemographics Interpretation
Wyoming offers vast, sparsely populated landscapes where the demographics reflect a tight-knit, aging, and predominantly white community enjoying solid incomes, yet not without its share of economic struggle.
Economy
1Wyoming's GDP was $47.4 billion in 2022.
Verified2Per capita personal income: $73,768 (2022).
Verified3Unemployment rate: 3.0% (2023 avg.).
Verified4Mining (incl. oil/gas) contributes 23.5% to GDP.
Directional5Wyoming leads US in coal production per capita.
Single source6Coal production: 116 million short tons (2022).
Verified7Crude oil production: 488,000 barrels/day (2023).
Verified8Natural gas production: 3.8 trillion cubic feet (2022).
Verified9Tourism generates $3.5 billion annually.
Directional10Agriculture GDP contribution: $1.5 billion (2022).
Single source11Beef cattle: 1.3 million head (2023).
Verified12Sheep: 340,000 head (2023).
Verified13Hay production: 4.5 million tons (2022).
Verified14Wind energy capacity: 4,000 MW (2023).
Directional15Average wage: $52,000/year (2022).
Single source16Construction employment: 28,000 jobs (2023).
Verified17Retail trade employment: 35,000 (2023).
Verified18Government employment: 55,000 jobs (2023).
Verified19Housing units: 312,000 (2022).
Directional20Median home value: $294,200 (2022).
Single source21Sales tax rate: 4% state, avg total 5.44%.
Verified22No corporate or personal income tax in Wyoming.
Verified23Severance tax on minerals: major revenue source.
VerifiedEconomy Interpretation
Wyoming's economy gallops along on the backs of its old-school cash cow—minerals and cattle—while enjoying the wind in its hair and tax-free air in its lungs.
Education
1Public school enrollment: 95,000 students (2022).
Verified2High school graduation rate: 84% (2022).
Verified3Average teacher salary: $64,000 (2023).
Verified4University of Wyoming enrollment: 11,000 (2023).
Directional5Community colleges: 7 campuses, 20,000 students.
Single source6Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 public schools.
Verified7Per pupil expenditure: $17,282 (2022).
Verified8Adult literacy rate: 93.4%.
Verified9Libraries: 108 public libraries.
Directional10NAEP math proficiency 4th grade: 32% (2022).
Single sourceEducation Interpretation
Wyoming's schools are lean and well-funded, yet a sobering one-in-three fourth graders failing math proficiency suggests the real issue isn't the resources in the room, but what's happening with them.
Geography
1Wyoming's total area is 97,813 square miles.
Verified2Wyoming ranks 10th largest state by area in the US.
Verified384.7% of Wyoming's land is federally owned.
Verified4Wyoming has 6 national parks and monuments including Yellowstone.
Directional5Highest point: Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet.
Single source6Lowest point: Belle Fourche River at 3,099 feet.
Verified7Wyoming has over 1,700 miles of rivers.
Verified8Continental Divide runs through Wyoming.
Verified9Wyoming's average elevation is 6,700 feet.
Directional10Teton Range is in northwest Wyoming, highest peak Grand Teton 13,775 ft.
Single source11Wind River Range has 40 peaks over 13,000 ft.
Verified12Bighorn Mountains cover 1.12 million acres.
Verified13Wyoming has 23 counties.
Verified14Largest county by area: Sweetwater County, 10,491 sq mi.
Directional15Smallest county: Teton County, 2,697 sq mi.
Single source16Wyoming receives 14.5 inches of precipitation annually on average.
Verified17Snowfall average: 60 inches per year statewide.
Verified18Driest location: Rock Springs, 8.85 inches precip/year.
Verified19Wettest: Dubois area, over 20 inches precip.
Directional20Average July high: 85°F, January low: 11°F.
Single source21Wyoming has 4 distinct seasons with low humidity.
Verified22Over 3 million acres of national forest in Wyoming.
Verified23Shoshone National Forest: 2.4 million acres.
Verified24Medicine Bow National Forest: 1.1 million acres.
Directional25Bighorn National Forest: 1.1 million acres.
Single source26Wyoming contains parts of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.
Verified2727% of Wyoming is rangeland, 16% forest.
Verified28Green River is Wyoming's longest at 730 miles.
VerifiedGeography Interpretation
Wyoming is a spectacularly roomy, high-altitude landlord where the federal government holds the master lease on 85% of the property, generously allowing the residents to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views and manage the thermostat that swings from 85°F in July to a brisk 11°F in January.
Health
1Life expectancy: 76.2 years (2021).
Verified2Obesity rate: 32.6% adults (2023).
Verified3Smoking rate: 15.2% adults.
Verified4Hospitals: 25 acute care.
Directional5Physicians per 1,000: 0.18 (2022).
Single source6Infant mortality rate: 4.8 per 1,000 (2021).
Verified7Cancer mortality rate: 159.2 per 100,000.
Verified8Mental health providers: 320 per 100,000.
Verified9Vaccinations: 68% fully for COVID (2023).
Directional10Opioid overdose deaths: 18.5 per 100,000 (2022).
Single sourceHealth Interpretation
Wyoming's rugged independence seems to be a double-edged sword, where a life lived hard under the big sky is reflected in health statistics that are as challenging as the landscape.
Politics
1Wyoming's legislature is bicameral with 31 Senators and 62 Representatives.
Verified2Governor Mark Gordon (Republican) since 2019.
Verified3Wyoming has one US House Representative: Harriet Hageman (R).
Verified4US Senators: John Barrasso (R) and Cynthia Lummis (R).
Directional5Wyoming voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.
Single source62020 presidential: Trump 69.9%, Biden 26.6%.
Verified7Voter turnout 2020: 71.6%.
Verified8Registered Republicans: 59% (2023).
Verified9One electoral vote in presidential elections.
Directional10State constitution adopted 1890.
Single source11Legislature meets 60 days every odd year.
Verified12Term limits: Governor 2 terms.
Verified13Supreme Court has 5 justices.
Verified14Death penalty authorized, last execution 1992.
Directional15Gun laws: constitutional carry since 2011.
Single source16Abortion restricted post-Roe (2022).
Verified17Minimum wage: $7.25 (federal).
Verified18Ballot initiatives allowed.
Verified19Cheyenne is state capital since 1869.
Directional20Statehood: July 10, 1890, 44th state.
Single source21First female governor: Nellie Tayloe Ross 1925.
Verified22Equal suffrage granted women 1869.
Verified23Republican trifecta since 2011.
Verified24Legislature: 81 Republicans, 12 Democrats (2023).
DirectionalPolitics Interpretation
For a state that prides itself on independence, Wyoming's political identity is an exceptionally well-ordered monolith, where the legislature's brief biennial meetings mostly serve to ratify the enduring Republican consensus established when women could vote here but not yet in the rest of the nation.
Sources & References
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