Sheridan County, Wyoming

Sheridan County
County
Sheridan County Courthouse
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°47′N106°53′W / 44.79°N 106.88°W / 44.79; -106.88
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
Founded	March 9, 1888
Named for	Philip Sheridan
Seat	Sheridan
Largest city	Sheridan
Area
• Total	2,527 sq mi (6,540 km2)
• Land	2,524 sq mi (6,540 km2)
• Water	3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	30,921
• Density	12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.sheridancounty.com

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 comprises the Sheridan, WY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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

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

• Big Horn County, Montana – north
• Powder River County, Montana – northeast
• Campbell County – east
• Johnson County – south
• Big Horn County – west

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• I-90 BL
• U.S. Highway 14
• U.S. Highway 16
• U.S. Highway 87
• Wyoming Highway 330
• Wyoming Highway 331
• Wyoming Highway 332
• Wyoming Highway 334
• Wyoming Highway 335
• Wyoming Highway 336
• Wyoming Highway 337
• Wyoming Highway 338
• Wyoming Highway 339
• Wyoming Highway 341
• Wyoming Highway 342
• Wyoming Highway 343
• Wyoming Highway 345

Transit

• Goose Creek Transit
• Jefferson Lines

National protected area

• Bighorn National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,972		—
1900	5,122		159.7%
1910	16,324		218.7%
1920	18,182		11.4%
1930	16,875		−7.2%
1940	19,255		14.1%
1950	20,185		4.8%
1960	18,989		−5.9%
1970	17,852		−6.0%
1980	25,048		40.3%
1990	23,562		−5.9%
2000	26,560		12.7%
2010	29,116		9.6%
2020	30,921		6.2%
2023 (est.)	32,519	[6]	5.2%
US Decennial Census [7] 1870–2000 [8] 2010–2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[9] 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

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 29,116 people, 12,360 households, and 7,701 families in the county. ^[10] 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). ^[11] 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. ^[10] 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. ^[12]

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. ^[10]

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. ^[13]

Communities

City

• Sheridan (county seat)

Towns

• Clearmont
• Dayton
• Ranchester

Census-designated places

• Arvada
• Big Horn
• Parkman
• Powder Horn
• Story

Unincorporated communities

• Acme ^[14]
• Banner
• Beckton ^[15]
• Burgess Junction ^[16]
• Kleenburn ^[17]
• Leiter
• Monarch
• Ucross ^[18]
• Ulm ^[19]
• Wolf
• Wyarno

Government and infrastructure

The Wyoming Department of Family Services Juvenile Services Division operates the Wyoming Girls' School, located near Sheridan. ^{[20] [21]} 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. ^[22]

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 2024) which was 1964 when Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater by 2.8 percent. In 2024 Donald Trump received 73.3 percent of the vote; the best ever result for a Republican.

United States presidential election results for Sheridan County, Wyoming ^[23]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	12,041	73.31%	3,920	23.87%	464	2.82%
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

• Wyoming portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Sheridan 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. (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. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". 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. Acme WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
15. Beckton WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
16. Burgess Junction WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
17. Kleenburn WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
18. Ucross WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
19. Ulm WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
20. Wyoming Girls’ School. Wyoming Department of Family Services. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.
21. Sheridan city, Wyoming ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.
22. About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 22, 2010.
23. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.

Further reading

• 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

• Sheridan County Web Page

44°47′N106°53′W / 44.79°N 106.88°W / 44.79; -106.88