Platte County, Wyoming

Platte County
County
Platte County Courthouse
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°08′N104°58′W / 42.13°N 104.96°W / 42.13; -104.96
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
Founded	February 21, 1911 (authorized) 1913 (organized)
Named for	North Platte River
Seat	Wheatland
Largest town	Wheatland
Area
• Total	2,111 sq mi (5,470 km2)
• Land	2,084 sq mi (5,400 km2)
• Water	27 sq mi (70 km2)  1.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,605
• Density	4.1/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	plattecountywyoming.com

Platte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 8,605. ^[1] Its county seat is Wheatland. ^[2]

History

Platte County was created February 21, 1911, with land detached from Laramie County and organized in 1913. ^[3] The county was named for the North Platte River, which flows through the northeastern part of the county. ^[4]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,111 square miles (5,470 km²), of which 2,084 square miles (5,400 km²) is land and 27 square miles (70 km²) (1.3%) is water. ^[5] It is the third-smallest county in Wyoming by area.

Adjacent counties

• Niobrara County (northeast)
• Goshen County (east)
• Laramie County (south)
• Albany County (west)
• Converse County (northwest)

National protected area

• Medicine Bow National Forest (part)

Major highways

• Interstate 25
• U.S. Highway 26
• U.S. Highway 87
• Wyoming Highway 34

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	7,421		—
1930	9,695		30.6%
1940	8,013		−17.3%
1950	7,925		−1.1%
1960	7,195		−9.2%
1970	6,486		−9.9%
1980	11,975		84.6%
1990	8,145		−32.0%
2000	8,807		8.1%
2010	8,667		−1.6%
2020	8,605		−0.7%
2023 (est.)	8,546	[6]	−0.7%
US Decennial Census [7] 1870–2000 [8] 2010–2016 [1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[9] there were 8,807 people, 3,625 households, and 2,494 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 4,528 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.18% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 5.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.7% were of German, 13.4% Irish, 11.3% English and 7.5% American ancestry.

There were 3,625 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.92.

The county population contained 25.40% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,866, and the median income for a family was $41,449. Males had a median income of $31,484 versus $19,635 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,530. About 8.50% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,667 people, 3,838 households, and 2,505 families in the county. ^[10] The population density was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6 people/km²). There were 4,667 housing units at an average density of 2.2 units per square mile (0.85 units/km²). ^[11] The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.7% of the population. ^[10] In terms of ancestry, 45.3% were German, 21.1% were English, 17.3% were Irish, and 6.2% were American. ^[12]

Of the 3,838 households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 47.5 years. ^[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,947 and the median income for a family was $51,759. Males had a median income of $55,757 versus $29,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,185. About 6.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over. ^[13]

Communities

Towns

• Chugwater
• Glendo
• Guernsey
• Hartville
• Wheatland (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Chugcreek
• El Rancho
• Lakeview North
• Slater
• Westview Circle
• Y-O Ranch
• Whiting

Unincorporated communities

• Bordeaux
• Diamond ^[14]
• Dwyer
• Dwyer Junction
• Uva
• Wendover ^[15]

Ghost towns

• Sunrise

Notable people

• Jim Geringer, governor of Wyoming
• Robert Mills Grant, Wyoming State Representative

Politics

Platte County has been a statewide bellwhether since its creation in 1912. No candidate in history has ever carried Wyoming without winning Platte County.

United States presidential election results for Platte County, Wyoming ^[16]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	3,874	81.30%	780	16.37%	111	2.33%
2020	3,898	79.18%	890	18.08%	135	2.74%
2016	3,437	75.89%	719	15.88%	373	8.24%
2012	3,136	69.21%	1,223	26.99%	172	3.80%
2008	3,002	65.83%	1,407	30.86%	151	3.31%
2004	3,149	68.85%	1,328	29.03%	97	2.12%
2000	2,925	66.89%	1,249	28.56%	199	4.55%
1996	2,155	48.89%	1,631	37.00%	622	14.11%
1992	1,668	41.18%	1,398	34.51%	985	24.31%
1988	2,253	59.16%	1,482	38.92%	73	1.92%
1984	2,813	68.28%	1,232	29.90%	75	1.82%
1980	2,642	57.21%	1,555	33.67%	421	9.12%
1976	1,844	53.45%	1,593	46.17%	13	0.38%
1972	2,200	70.35%	925	29.58%	2	0.06%
1968	1,613	54.36%	1,035	34.88%	319	10.75%
1964	1,470	43.75%	1,890	56.25%	0	0.00%
1960	1,771	53.20%	1,558	46.80%	0	0.00%
1956	1,848	55.21%	1,499	44.79%	0	0.00%
1952	2,148	60.95%	1,364	38.71%	12	0.34%
1948	1,366	47.88%	1,465	51.35%	22	0.77%
1944	1,776	53.49%	1,544	46.51%	0	0.00%
1940	1,758	48.54%	1,849	51.05%	15	0.41%
1936	1,546	45.39%	1,730	50.79%	130	3.82%
1932	1,430	39.46%	1,893	52.24%	301	8.31%
1928	2,206	67.75%	932	28.62%	118	3.62%
1924	1,383	49.55%	436	15.62%	972	34.83%
1920	1,405	65.68%	694	32.45%	40	1.87%
1916	806	36.69%	1,276	58.08%	115	5.23%
1912	500	28.33%	785	44.48%	480	27.20%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Platte 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. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. 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. "QuickFacts". 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. "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. Diamond WY Google Maps (accessed 13 January 2019)
15. Wendover WY Google Maps (accessed 13 January 2019)
16. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.

External links

• Those who died from Platte County during World War II

42°08′N104°58′W / 42.13°N 104.96°W / 42.13; -104.96