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Laramie County, Wyoming

Coordinates: 41°19′N 104°41′W / 41.32°N 104.69°W / 41.32; -104.69
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For the city, see Laramie, Wyoming.

Laramie County
County
United States Post Office and Courthouse, Cheyenne, Wyoming
United States Post Office and Courthouse, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Flag of Laramie County
Flag
Map of Wyoming highlighting Laramie County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°19′N 104°41′W / 41.32°N 104.69°W / 41.32; -104.69
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedJanuary 9, 1867
Named forJacques La Ramee
SeatCheyenne
Largest cityCheyenne
Area
 • Total
2,688 sq mi (6,960 km2)
 • Land2,686 sq mi (6,960 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.06%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
100,512
 • Density37.39/sq mi (14.44/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitelaramiecounty.com

Laramie County is a county located at the southeast corner of the state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 100,512 or 17.4% of the state's total 2020 population,[1] making it the most populous county in Wyoming, but the least populous county in the United States to be the most populous in its state.

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.

The city of Laramie, Wyoming, is in neighboring Albany County.

History

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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 1867, a portion of Laramie County was annexed to create Sweetwater County; in 1868; further annexations occurred to create Albany County and Carbon County. 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. In 1888, Converse County was formed from a portion of Laramie County. In 1911, Goshen and Platte Counties were formed from parts of Laramie County, giving the county its current boundaries.

The county's early economy was based on agriculture and livestock raising. The present-day Wyoming Stock Growers Association[5] dates from that era. Other types of animal husbandry also occurred.[6]

Some of the settlers in early Laramie County were foreign immigrants; for example, Burns was largely settled by German immigrants.[6]

Arts and culture

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Laramie County Library System

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The Laramie County Library System is one of the oldest continually operating county library systems in the United States,[7] the first branch established in Cheyenne in 1886.[8] In 1899, Andrew Carnegie donated $50,000 toward the building of the state's first Carnegie Public Library, which opened in 1902.[7] The library moved to a larger location in 1969.[8] In 2007, a second library opened.[7]

Geography

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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.[9]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Transit

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,957—
18806,409116.7%
189016,777161.8%
190020,18120.3%
191026,12729.5%
192020,699−20.8%
193026,84529.7%
194033,65125.4%
195047,66241.6%
196060,14926.2%
197056,360−6.3%
198068,64921.8%
199073,1426.5%
200081,60711.6%
201091,73812.4%
2020100,5129.6%
2023 (est.)100,984[10]0.5%
US Decennial Census[11]
1870–2000[12] 2010–2020[13]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States Census, Laramie County had 81,607 people, 31,927 households, and 21,614 families.[14] The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). The county had 34,213 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/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.

The county population contained 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 100-100.9 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

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 91,738 people, 37,576 households, and 24,340 families in the county.[15] The population density was 34.2 people per square mile (13.2 people/km2). There were 40,462 housing units at an average density of 15.1 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2).[16] 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.[15] In terms of ancestry, 29.5% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 12.7% were English, and 4.9% were American.[17]

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.[15]

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.[18]

Communities

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City

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  • Cheyenne (county seat and largest municipality)

Towns

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Politics and government

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Like Wyoming as a whole, Laramie County is strongly Republican. It is extremely conservative for an urban county, having not backed the Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964–one of only two times since 1952 that it has supported a Democrat. In 2016, Hillary Clinton managed to win just 28.3 percent of the vote in the county, the lowest total of any presidential candidate in Laramie since John W. Davis in 1924, when a large proportion of progressive voters defected to Robert M. La Follette, Sr.[21] Nonetheless, the county is the third-friendliest to Democrats in the state, beaten only by Teton County and Albany County.

United States presidential election results for Laramie County, Wyoming[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 28,063 64.72% 14,153 32.64% 1,146 2.64%
2020 27,891 62.00% 15,217 33.83% 1,874 4.17%
2016 24,847 60.65% 11,573 28.25% 4,549 11.10%
2012 23,904 60.51% 14,295 36.19% 1,306 3.31%
2008 24,549 58.98% 16,072 38.61% 1,004 2.41%
2004 25,951 65.07% 13,171 33.03% 757 1.90%
2000 21,797 61.71% 12,162 34.43% 1,364 3.86%
1996 16,924 49.97% 13,676 40.38% 3,269 9.65%
1992 12,890 40.46% 12,177 38.23% 6,788 21.31%
1988 15,561 56.04% 11,851 42.68% 358 1.29%
1984 19,348 64.93% 10,110 33.93% 341 1.14%
1980 15,361 55.43% 9,512 34.32% 2,840 10.25%
1976 14,061 53.48% 12,040 45.79% 193 0.73%
1972 15,010 65.67% 7,791 34.09% 54 0.24%
1968 9,824 46.80% 9,519 45.35% 1,649 7.86%
1964 8,563 34.78% 16,059 65.22% 0 0.00%
1960 11,637 49.05% 12,086 50.95% 0 0.00%
1956 10,581 53.84% 9,072 46.16% 0 0.00%
1952 10,785 56.61% 8,187 42.97% 79 0.41%
1948 6,200 42.69% 8,226 56.64% 98 0.67%
1944 7,326 49.27% 7,542 50.73% 0 0.00%
1940 5,955 43.09% 7,808 56.50% 57 0.41%
1936 4,356 35.88% 7,594 62.55% 190 1.57%
1932 5,116 46.77% 5,435 49.69% 387 3.54%
1928 5,862 65.33% 3,029 33.76% 82 0.91%
1924 3,944 53.00% 1,120 15.05% 2,378 31.95%
1920 3,399 62.60% 1,810 33.33% 221 4.07%
1916 2,428 45.64% 2,759 51.86% 133 2.50%
1912 1,871 38.95% 1,923 40.03% 1,010 21.02%
1908 2,965 52.65% 2,523 44.80% 144 2.56%
1904 3,109 69.77% 1,167 26.19% 180 4.04%
1900 2,181 58.64% 1,538 41.36% 0 0.00%
1896 1,776 51.88% 1,628 47.56% 19 0.56%
1892 1,890 57.48% 0 0.00% 1,398 42.52%

Education

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There are two school districts in Laramie County: Laramie County School District 1 and Laramie County School District 2.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts".
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Long, John H. (2006). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  4. ^ Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. ISBN 0-87842-204-8.
  5. ^ Osgood, Ernest Staples. The Day of the Cattleman. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1929. Print. pp. 120-121
  6. ^ a b Herman, Marguerite. "Laramie County WY". Wyoming State Historical Society. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Laramie County Library". Laramie County Library System. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Laramie County Library". Laramie County Library System. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  12. ^ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ Altvan WY Google Maps (accessed January 10, 2019)
  20. ^ Egbert WY Google Maps (accessed January 10, 2019)
  21. ^ a b Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Laramie County, WY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2024. - Text list

Further reading

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  • Hallberg, L.L. and J.P. Mason. (2007). Selected hydrogeologic data for the High Plains aquifer in southwestern Laramie County WY, 1931-2006 [US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1069]. Reston VA: US Dept of the Interior, US Geological Survey.
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Media related to Laramie County, Wyoming at Wikimedia Commons

41°19′N 104°41′W / 41.32°N 104.69°W / 41.32; -104.69

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