Laramie County, Wyoming

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Laramie County, Wyoming
City and County Building, Cheyenne.jpg
The City and County Building in Cheyenne
Map of Wyoming highlighting Laramie County
Location in the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location in the U.S.
Founded January 9, 1867
Named for Jacques La Ramee
Seat Cheyenne
Largest city Cheyenne
Area
 • Total 2,688 sq mi (6,962 km2)
 • Land 2,686 sq mi (6,957 km2)
 • Water 1.6 sq mi (4 km2), 0.06%
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 96,389
 • Density 36/sq mi (14/km²)
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website webgate.co.laramie.wy.us

Laramie County is a county in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2010 census, the population was 91,738[1] making it the most populous county in Wyoming. The county seat is Cheyenne, the state capital.[2] The county lies west of the Nebraska state line and north of the Colorado state line.

Laramie county comprises the Cheyenne, WY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the least populous county that is the most populous in a state.

The city of Laramie, Wyoming, actually lies in neighboring Albany County, Wyoming.

History

Laramie County was originally created in 1867 as a county within the Dakota Territory.[3] The county was named for Jacques La Ramee, a French-Canadian fur-trader.[4] In late 1867, Laramie County lost territory when Sweetwater County was created.

In 1868, Laramie County also lost territory when Albany County and Carbon County were created. Laramie County became a county in the Wyoming Territory when the territorial government was formed in 1869. Crook County was created with land ceded by Laramie County in 1875. A few years later in 1888, Converse County was also formed from a portion of Laramie County. In 1911, Goshen and Platte Counties were formed from another part of Laramie County, and at that point the county achieved its current boundaries.

Many of the early occupations in the county were agriculturally based. The best known example would have to be Cattle farming, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association[5] is one remaining example of this. However other animals were also raised.[6]

Americans and foreigners were both attracted out over time, with places such as Burns being German immigrant filled early on.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,688 square miles (6,960 km2), of which 2,686 square miles (6,960 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.06%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 2,957
1880 6,409 116.7%
1890 16,777 161.8%
1900 20,181 20.3%
1910 26,127 29.5%
1920 20,699 −20.8%
1930 26,845 29.7%
1940 33,651 25.4%
1950 47,662 41.6%
1960 60,149 26.2%
1970 56,360 −6.3%
1980 68,649 21.8%
1990 73,142 6.5%
2000 81,607 11.6%
2010 91,738 12.4%
Est. 2014 96,389 [8] 5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1870–2000[10] 2010–2014[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, Laramie County had 81,607 people, 31,927 households, and 21,614 families.[11] The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km²). The county had 34,213 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.92% White, 2.60% Black or African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. 10.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of German, 11.1% English, 10.3% Irish and 7.4% American ancestry.

As of the 2000 census, Laramie County had 31,927 households of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of a single individual and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, the county had 100.90 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, the county had 100.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,607, and the median income for a family was $46,536. Males had a median income of $31,644 versus $24,406 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,634. About 6.50% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 91,738 people, 37,576 households, and 24,340 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 34.2 inhabitants per square mile (13.2/km2). There were 40,462 housing units at an average density of 15.1 per square mile (5.8/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 88.5% white, 2.5% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 1.0% American Indian, 0.2% Pacific islander, 3.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.1% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 29.5% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 12.7% were English, and 4.9% were American.[14]

Of the 37,576 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 37.0 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $52,824 and the median income for a family was $64,589. Males had a median income of $44,001 versus $32,882 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,406. About 6.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

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  5. Osgood, Ernest Staples. The Day of the Cattleman. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1929. Print. pages 120-121
  6. 6.0 6.1 Herman, Marguerite. “Laramie County, Wyoming”. Wyoming State Historical Society. Web. Accessed April 17, 2014. http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/laramie-county-wyoming.
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Further reading

  • Hallberg, L.L. and J.P. Mason. (2007). Selected hydrogeologic data for the High Plains aquifer in southwestern Laramie County, Wyoming, 1931-2006 [U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1069]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

External links

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