Niobrara County, Wyoming

Niobrara County
County
Stagecoach Museum in Lusk
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°03′N104°28′W / 43.05°N 104.47°W / 43.05; -104.47
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
Founded	February 21, 1911 (authorized) 1913 (organized)
Named for	Niobrara River
Seat	Lusk
Largest town	Lusk
Area
• Total	2,628 sq mi (6,810 km2)
• Land	2,626 sq mi (6,800 km2)
• Water	1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.07%
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,467
• Density	0.94/sq mi (0.36/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.niobraracounty.org

Niobrara County (WY) SR85

Niobrara County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 2,467, ^[1] making it the least populous county in Wyoming. Its county seat is Lusk. ^[2] Its eastern boundary abuts the west lines of the states of Nebraska and South Dakota.

History

Niobrara County was created on February 21, 1911, of area annexed from Converse County. Its organization was established in 1913. ^[3]

The county was named for the Niobrara River, which rises near Lusk. ^[4]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,628 square miles (6,810 km²), of which 2,626 square miles (6,800 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) (0.07%) is water. ^[5]

In comparison to the state of Rhode Island, the county has more than twice the land area, with approximately 1/500 of the population. ^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Weston County – north
• Custer County, South Dakota – northeast
• Fall River County, South Dakota – east
• Sioux County, Nebraska – southeast
• Goshen County – south
• Platte County – southwest
• Converse County – west

Major highways

• US 18
• US 20
• US 85
• WYO 270
• WYO 271
• WYO 272
• WYO 273

National protected area

• Thunder Basin National Grassland (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	6,321		—
1930	4,723		−25.3%
1940	5,988		26.8%
1950	4,701		−21.5%
1960	3,750		−20.2%
1970	2,924		−22.0%
1980	2,924		0.0%
1990	2,499		−14.5%
2000	2,407		−3.7%
2010	2,484		3.2%
2020	2,467		−0.7%
2023 (est.)	2,354	[7]	−4.6%
US Decennial Census [8] 1870–2000 [9] 2010–2016 [1]

Niobrara County (WY) US85N

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[10] of 2000, there were 2,407 people, 1,011 households, and 679 families in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km²). There were 1,338 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.05% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.1% were of German, 18.7% English, 11.2% Irish, and 5.7% American ancestry.

There were 1,011 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81.

The county population contained 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,701, and the median income for a family was $33,714. Males had a median income of $25,909 versus $17,016 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,757. About 10.70% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 15.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,484 people, 1,069 households, and 659 families in the county. ^[11] The population density was 0.9 people per square mile (0.35 people/km²). There were 1,338 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19 units/km²). ^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population. ^[11] In terms of ancestry, 41.5% were German, 19.0% were English, 17.7% were Irish, 6.6% were Swedish, and 3.0% were American. ^[13]

Of the 1,069 households, 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.4% were non-families, and 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.71. The median age was 46.1 years. ^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,813 and the median income for a family was $57,153. Males had a median income of $41,898 versus $30,323 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,885. About 6.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over. ^[14]

Communities

Towns

• Lusk (county seat)
• Manville
• Van Tassell

Census-designated place

• Lance Creek

Unincorporated communities

• Keeline
• Riverview

Politics

Like almost all of Wyoming, Niobrara County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Niobrara County since Franklin D. Roosevelt beat Alf Landon in 1936 by thirty-eight votes, and none since Lyndon Johnson in 1964 has attained thirty percent of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Niobrara County, Wyoming ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	1,108	89.79%	112	9.08%	14	1.13%
2020	1,118	85.47%	155	11.85%	35	2.68%
2016	1,116	84.93%	115	8.75%	83	6.32%
2012	1,022	80.09%	200	15.67%	54	4.23%
2008	1,017	78.65%	244	18.87%	32	2.47%
2004	1,064	80.97%	230	17.50%	20	1.52%
2000	888	78.79%	190	16.86%	49	4.35%
1996	757	58.01%	325	24.90%	223	17.09%
1992	635	48.85%	298	22.92%	367	28.23%
1988	825	69.27%	354	29.72%	12	1.01%
1984	1,098	80.79%	239	17.59%	22	1.62%
1980	1,075	76.13%	270	19.12%	67	4.75%
1976	1,042	70.55%	427	28.91%	8	0.54%
1972	1,245	81.00%	289	18.80%	3	0.20%
1968	1,136	76.24%	250	16.78%	104	6.98%
1964	1,122	57.10%	843	42.90%	0	0.00%
1960	1,362	70.57%	568	29.43%	0	0.00%
1956	1,248	70.67%	518	29.33%	0	0.00%
1952	1,652	73.13%	588	26.03%	19	0.84%
1948	975	55.87%	753	43.15%	17	0.97%
1944	1,312	61.37%	826	38.63%	0	0.00%
1940	1,427	54.22%	1,200	45.59%	5	0.19%
1936	1,086	48.37%	1,124	50.07%	35	1.56%
1932	908	41.56%	1,237	56.61%	40	1.83%
1928	1,424	74.21%	469	24.44%	26	1.35%
1924	820	48.43%	202	11.93%	671	39.63%
1920	969	73.52%	345	26.18%	4	0.30%
1916	533	45.63%	599	51.28%	36	3.08%
1912	500	49.36%	282	27.84%	231	22.80%

The Wyoming Department of Corrections Wyoming Women's Center is located in Lusk. ^[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

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Niobrara County, Wyoming
• Wyoming
  • List of cities and towns in Wyoming
  • List of counties in Wyoming
  • Wyoming statistical areas

References

1. "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., ed. (2004). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library . Retrieved August 19, 2015.
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. "Science for a changing world". www.usgs.gov. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
7. "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
9. "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
10. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
11. "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.
12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
13. "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.
14. "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.
15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
16. Contact Institutions. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
17. About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

43°03′N104°28′W / 43.05°N 104.47°W / 43.05; -104.47