Sheridan County, Wyoming

Sheridan County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 30,921.[1] The county seat is Sheridan.[2] Its northern boundary abuts the Montana state border.

Sheridan County
Sheridan County Courthouse
Sheridan County Courthouse
Flag of Sheridan County
Map of Wyoming highlighting Sheridan County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°47′N 106°53′W / 44.79°N 106.88°W / 44.79; -106.88
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedMarch 9, 1888
Named forPhilip Sheridan
SeatSheridan
Largest citySheridan
Area
 • Total2,527 sq mi (6,540 km2)
 • Land2,524 sq mi (6,540 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,921
 • Density12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.sheridancounty.com

Sheridan County comprises the Sheridan, WY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History edit

Sheridan County was created by the legislature of the Wyoming Territory on March 9, 1888.[3] The county was formed from a portion of Johnson County. Sheridan County was named for Philip Sheridan, a general in the American Civil War and controversial Indian fighter.[4]

A portion of Sheridan County was annexed in 1897 to create Big Horn County. Sheridan County boundary lines were also slightly altered in 1911, and again in 1929, after which it has retained its boundary lines to the present time.

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,527 square miles (6,540 km2), of which 2,524 square miles (6,540 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties edit

Major highways edit

Transit edit

National protected area edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18901,972
19005,122159.7%
191016,324218.7%
192018,18211.4%
193016,875−7.2%
194019,25514.1%
195020,1854.8%
196018,989−5.9%
197017,852−6.0%
198025,04840.3%
199023,562−5.9%
200026,56012.7%
201029,1169.6%
202030,9216.2%
US Decennial Census[6]
1870–2000[7] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census edit

As of the 2000 United States Census,[8] of 2000, there were 26,560 people, 11,167 households, and 7,079 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 12,577 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.88% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 2.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.8% were of German, 12.3% English, 10.3% Irish, 7.1% American, 6.0% Norwegian and 5.1% Polish ancestry.

There were 11,167 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 30.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.90.

The county population contained 24.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,538, and the median income for a family was $42,669. Males had a median income of $31,381 versus $20,354 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,407. About 8.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census edit

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 29,116 people, 12,360 households, and 7,701 families in the county.[9] The population density was 11.5 people per square mile (4.4 people/km2). There were 13,939 housing units at an average density of 5.5 units per square mile (2.1 units/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population.[9] In terms of ancestry, 31.5% were German, 16.3% were Irish, 11.8% were English, 7.5% were American, 6.2% were Norwegian, and 5.1% were Polish.[11]

Of the 12,360 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.7% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 41.9 years.[9]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,141 and the median income for a family was $61,959. Males had a median income of $45,035 versus $30,780 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,756. About 5.2% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.[12]

Communities edit

City edit

Towns edit

Census-designated places edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Government and infrastructure edit

The Wyoming Department of Family Services Juvenile Services Division operates the Wyoming Girls' School, located near Sheridan.[19][20] 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.[21]

Sheridan County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020) which was 1964 when Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater by 3.2 percent. In 2020 Donald Trump received 72.1 percent of the vote; the best ever result for a Republican, a record previously held by Mitt Romney who received 71.7 percent in 2012.

United States presidential election results for Sheridan County, Wyoming[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 11,843 72.09% 4,043 24.61% 542 3.30%
2016 10,266 70.75% 2,927 20.17% 1,317 9.08%
2012 10,267 71.69% 3,618 25.26% 437 3.05%
2008 10,177 67.93% 4,458 29.76% 346 2.31%
2004 9,689 69.06% 4,066 28.98% 274 1.95%
2000 8,424 68.85% 3,330 27.21% 482 3.94%
1996 5,892 48.91% 4,594 38.14% 1,560 12.95%
1992 4,303 37.21% 4,139 35.79% 3,123 27.00%
1988 5,980 55.48% 4,655 43.19% 143 1.33%
1984 7,460 66.14% 3,648 32.34% 171 1.52%
1980 5,649 58.56% 3,034 31.45% 963 9.98%
1976 5,382 62.21% 3,206 37.06% 64 0.74%
1972 6,432 69.03% 2,874 30.84% 12 0.13%
1968 5,163 61.22% 2,659 31.53% 612 7.26%
1964 4,491 48.61% 4,747 51.39% 0 0.00%
1960 5,690 60.05% 3,786 39.95% 0 0.00%
1956 5,546 63.38% 3,204 36.62% 0 0.00%
1952 6,522 67.55% 3,124 32.36% 9 0.09%
1948 3,698 48.65% 3,852 50.68% 51 0.67%
1944 3,802 49.61% 3,862 50.39% 0 0.00%
1940 3,814 46.13% 4,439 53.69% 15 0.18%
1936 2,726 35.49% 4,731 61.60% 223 2.90%
1932 2,738 38.34% 4,260 59.65% 144 2.02%
1928 3,616 57.86% 2,563 41.01% 71 1.14%
1924 2,530 42.76% 1,115 18.84% 2,272 38.40%
1920 2,645 60.43% 1,192 27.23% 540 12.34%
1916 1,914 37.92% 2,906 57.57% 228 4.52%
1912 862 20.29% 1,649 38.82% 1,737 40.89%
1908 2,158 54.99% 1,539 39.22% 227 5.78%
1904 1,905 59.49% 1,068 33.35% 229 7.15%
1900 1,018 49.80% 985 48.19% 41 2.01%
1896 877 44.03% 1,104 55.42% 11 0.55%
1892 509 46.36% 0 0.00% 589 53.64%

See also edit

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  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 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. ISBN 0-87842-204-8.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  6. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ Acme WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  14. ^ Beckton WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  15. ^ Burgess Junction WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  16. ^ Kleenburn WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  17. ^ Ucross WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  18. ^ Ulm WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
  19. ^ Wyoming Girls’ School. Wyoming Department of Family Services. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.
  20. ^ Sheridan city, Wyoming[permanent dead link]. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.
  21. ^ About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.
  22. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.

Further reading edit

  • Georgen, Cynde. In the Shadow of the Bighorns: A History of Early Sheridan and the Goose Creek Valley of Northern Wyoming. Sheridan, Wyoming: Sheridan County Historical Society, 2010. ISBN 978-0-9792871-7-6.
  • Georgen, Cynde. Snippets of Sheridan County History: 366 Newsy Little Stories from the First 125 Years of Sheridan County, Wyoming, 1888-2013. Sheridan, Wyoming: Sheridan County Historical Society, 2013. ISBN 978-0-9792871-8-3.

External links edit

44°47′N 106°53′W / 44.79°N 106.88°W / 44.79; -106.88