Washakie County, Wyoming

Washakie County
Indian Totem in Worland
Indian Totem in Worland
Map of Wyoming highlighting Washakie County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°55′N 107°41′W / 43.91°N 107.68°W / 43.91; -107.68
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedFebruary 21, 1911 (authorized)
1913 (organized)
Named forChief Washakie
SeatWorland
Largest cityWorland
Area
 • Total2,243 sq mi (5,810 km2)
 • Land2,239 sq mi (5,800 km2)
 • Water4.2 sq mi (11 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,685
 • Density3.4/sq mi (1.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.washakiecounty.net

Washakie County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,685.[1] Its county seat is Worland.[2]

History[edit]

Washakie County was created on February 21, 1911, as Hanover County with land detached from Big Horn County and organized in 1913.[3] The bill for creating the county initially named it "Hanover County", but it was renamed before the bill passed to Washakie County for the head chief of the Shoshone people, Chief Washakie, who became an ally of the US Government.[4]

Geography[edit]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,243 square miles (5,810 km2), of which 2,239 square miles (5,800 km2) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) (0.2%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected area[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19203,106
19304,10932.3%
19405,85842.6%
19507,25223.8%
19608,88322.5%
19707,569−14.8%
19809,49625.5%
19908,388−11.7%
20008,289−1.2%
20108,5332.9%
20207,685−9.9%
2023 (est.)7,710[6]0.3%
US Decennial Census[7]
1870–2000[8] 2010[1]

2000 census[edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[9] there were 8,289 people, 3,278 households, and 2,310 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.22% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 6.21% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. 11.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.1% were of German, 13.1% English, 9.9% Irish and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 3,278 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 27.20% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,943, and the median income for a family was $42,584. Males had a median income of $31,633 versus $21,028 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,780. About 10.00% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,533 people, 3,492 households, and 2,395 families in the county.[10] The population density was 3.8 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 1.7 units per square mile (0.66 units/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 91.4% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 4.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.6% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 33.1% were German, 17.6% were English, 11.7% were Irish, 6.6% were American, and 5.5% were Norwegian.[12]

Of the 3,492 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.4% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 41.8 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,379 and the median income for a family was $61,340. Males had a median income of $45,579 versus $30,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,557. About 1.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Town[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Government and infrastructure[edit]

Like almost all of Wyoming, Washakie County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Washakie County since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1936 landslide against Alf Landon. Although Lyndon Johnson did get within eighteen votes of Barry Goldwater, no Democrat since has reached one-third of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Washakie County, Wyoming[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,245 80.88% 651 16.23% 116 2.89%
2016 2,911 76.32% 532 13.95% 371 9.73%
2012 3,014 76.42% 794 20.13% 136 3.45%
2008 2,956 72.29% 1,042 25.48% 91 2.23%
2004 3,200 77.78% 855 20.78% 59 1.43%
2000 3,138 77.46% 806 19.90% 107 2.64%
1996 2,250 56.73% 1,205 30.38% 511 12.88%
1992 1,720 43.19% 1,118 28.08% 1,144 28.73%
1988 2,538 67.36% 1,197 31.77% 33 0.88%
1984 3,245 76.30% 970 22.81% 38 0.89%
1980 2,634 67.59% 945 24.25% 318 8.16%
1976 2,361 66.68% 1,168 32.99% 12 0.34%
1972 2,604 75.92% 825 24.05% 1 0.03%
1968 2,038 64.01% 948 29.77% 198 6.22%
1964 1,713 50.26% 1,695 49.74% 0 0.00%
1960 2,254 62.70% 1,341 37.30% 0 0.00%
1956 2,265 69.61% 989 30.39% 0 0.00%
1952 2,148 70.82% 880 29.01% 5 0.16%
1948 1,074 55.79% 851 44.21% 0 0.00%
1944 1,130 59.26% 777 40.74% 0 0.00%
1940 1,080 53.12% 942 46.34% 11 0.54%
1936 810 41.26% 1,109 56.50% 44 2.24%
1932 711 40.61% 1,009 57.62% 31 1.77%
1928 966 70.72% 392 28.70% 8 0.59%
1924 724 60.13% 209 17.36% 271 22.51%
1920 609 64.31% 333 35.16% 5 0.53%
1916 344 42.05% 455 55.62% 19 2.32%
1912 258 38.22% 221 32.74% 196 29.04%

The Wyoming Department of Family Services Juvenile Services Division operates the Wyoming Boys' School, located in Mc Nutt,[15] unincorporated Washakie County, near Worland.[16] The facility was operated by the Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform until that agency was dissolved as a result of a state constitutional amendment passed in November 1990.[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Long, John H., ed. (2004). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "Name of New County Changed". The Laramie Republican. January 25, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Wyoming Newspapers.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  15. ^ Mc Nutt CDP, Wyoming[permanent dead link]. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.
  16. ^ Wyoming Boys’ School." Wyoming Department of Family Services. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.
  17. ^ About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.

43°55′N 107°41′W / 43.91°N 107.68°W / 43.91; -107.68