Sweetwater County, Wyoming

Sweetwater County
County
Rock Springs City Hall, 2007
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°40′N108°53′W / 41.66°N 108.89°W / 41.66; -108.89
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
Founded	December 17, 1867
Named for	Sweetwater River
Seat	Green River
Largest city	Rock Springs
Area
• Total	10,491 sq mi (27,170 km2)
• Land	10,427 sq mi (27,010 km2)
• Water	64 sq mi (170 km2)  0.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	42,272
• Density	4.0/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Area code	307
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.sweetwatercountywy.gov

Sweetwater County is a county in southwestern Wyoming, United States. ^[1] As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 42,272, making it the fourth-most populous county in Wyoming. ^[2] Its county seat is Green River. ^[3] By area, it is the largest county in Wyoming. Its southern boundary line abuts the north lines of the states of Colorado and Utah.

Sweetwater County comprises the Rock Springs, Green River, Wyoming Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Sweetwater County was created on December 17, 1867, as a county within the Dakota Territory. ^[4] The county was formed of territory partitioned from Laramie County. The county was originally named Carter County for Judge W.A. Carter of Fort Bridger ^[5] In 1869, the newly established legislature of the Wyoming Territory renamed the county for the Sweetwater River.

Also in 1869, Uinta County was organized with land ceded by Sweetwater County. Johnson County, originally named Pease County, was formed from parts of Sweetwater and Carbon counties in 1875. In 1884, Sweetwater County lost territory when Fremont County was created. Sweetwater County also lost territory when its boundary with Carbon County was adjusted in 1886. County boundaries were also adjusted in 1909, 1911, and 1951.

South Pass City was the county seat from 1867 until 1873, when the county seat was moved to Green River.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,491 square miles (27,170 km²), of which 10,427 square miles (27,010 km²) is land and 64 square miles (170 km²) (0.6%) is water. ^[6] The largest county in Wyoming, Sweetwater County is larger than six states and is the eighth-largest county in the United States (not including boroughs and census areas in Alaska). Most of the Great Divide Basin lies within the county, comprising the county's northeast quadrant. The Continental Divide runs through the county.

Adjacent counties

• Fremont County (north)
• Carbon County (east)
• Moffat County, Colorado (south)
• Daggett County, Utah (southwest)
• Summit County, Utah (west-southwest)
• Uinta County (southwest)
• Lincoln County (west)
• Sublette County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 80
• I-80 BL
• I-80 BL
• U.S. Highway 30
• U.S. Highway 191
• Wyoming Highway 28
• Wyoming Highway 370
• Wyoming Highway 371
• Wyoming Highway 372
• Wyoming Highway 414
• Wyoming Highway 430
• Wyoming Highway 530
• Wyoming Highway 789

National protected areas

• Ashley National Forest (part)
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (part)
• Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	1,916		—
1880	2,561		33.7%
1890	4,941		92.9%
1900	8,455		71.1%
1910	11,575		36.9%
1920	13,640		17.8%
1930	18,165		33.2%
1940	19,407		6.8%
1950	22,017		13.4%
1960	17,920		−18.6%
1970	18,391		2.6%
1980	41,723		126.9%
1990	38,823		−7.0%
2000	37,613		−3.1%
2010	43,806		16.5%
2020	42,272		−3.5%
2023 (est.)	41,249	[7]	−2.4%
US Decennial Census [8] 1870–2000 [9] 2010–2020 [2]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[10] of 2000, there were 37,613 people, 14,105 households, and 10,099 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 15,921 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.62% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.59% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. 9.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.4% are of English, 16.2% German, 9% Irish and 5% Italian ancestry. ^[11]

There were 14,105 households, out of which 38.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

The county population contained 28.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 8.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,537, and the median income for a family was $54,173. Males had a median income of $45,678 versus $22,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,575. About 5.40% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.20% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 43,806 people, 16,475 ;households, and 11,405 families in the county. ^[12] The population density was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6 people/km²). There were 18,735 housing units at an average density of 1.8 units per square mile (0.69 units/km²). ^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 88.5% white, 1.0% American Indian, 1.0% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 6.4% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 15.3% of the population. ^[12] In terms of ancestry, 22.4% were German, 19.0% were English, 13.0% were Irish, 7.4% were Italian, and 4.4% were American. ^[14]

Of the 16,475 households, 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 32.8 years. ^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $69,828 and the median income for a family was $79,527. Males had a median income of $65,174 versus $31,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,961. About 6.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[15]

Religion

Religion in Sweetwater County,according to ARDA (2020)

  Catholic Church (21.1%)

  LDS Church (14.7%)

  Evangelical Churches (6.7%)

  Mainline Protestant Churches (1.9%)

  Orthodox Church (0.1%)

  Others (0.6%)

  None* (54.9%)

• "Nones" is an unclear category. [16] ^[17] It is a heterogenous group of the not religious and intermittently religious. ^[18] Researchers argue that most of the "Nones" should be considered "unchurched", rather than objectively nonreligious; ^{[17] [19] [20] [21] [22]} especially since most "Nones" do hold some religious-spiritual beliefs and a notable amount participate in behaviors. ^{[17] [19] [23] [24]} For example, 72% of American "Nones" believe in God or a Higher Power. ^[25]

Education

Sweetwater County is home to Sweetwater County School District Number 1 and Sweetwater County School District Number 2. Sweetwater is also home to Western Wyoming Community College which is located in Rock Springs.

Politics and government

Sweetwater County was a Democratic stronghold in Wyoming until recent years, voting Democratic in eleven consecutive presidential elections between 1928 and 1968, after supporting Progressive Robert La Follette Sr. in 1924. In 1928, 1952, 1956 and 1976 it was the only Wyoming county to support the Democratic presidential nominee.

Nonetheless, no Democratic presidential candidate has won Sweetwater County since Bill Clinton in 1996. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won just 18.9 percent of the vote in the county. ^[26] At the state level, Sweetwater County is represented by one Democrat, four Republicans and one Libertarian in the Wyoming House of Representatives, and three Republicans in the Wyoming Senate.

United States presidential election results for Sweetwater County, Wyoming ^[26]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	12,229	73.66%	3,823	23.03%	551	3.32%
2016	12,154	70.95%	3,231	18.86%	1,745	10.19%
2012	11,428	67.64%	4,774	28.26%	693	4.10%
2008	10,360	62.02%	5,762	34.50%	581	3.48%
2004	10,653	65.47%	5,208	32.01%	411	2.53%
2000	9,425	60.07%	5,521	35.19%	745	4.75%
1996	5,591	35.76%	7,088	45.34%	2,955	18.90%
1992	4,476	30.02%	6,417	43.04%	4,017	26.94%
1988	6,780	49.47%	6,720	49.03%	205	1.50%
1984	8,308	60.59%	5,230	38.14%	174	1.27%
1980	6,265	51.92%	4,728	39.18%	1,074	8.90%
1976	4,937	46.69%	5,575	52.72%	62	0.59%
1972	5,175	58.05%	3,713	41.65%	27	0.30%
1968	2,726	36.60%	4,086	54.85%	637	8.55%
1964	1,944	24.57%	5,969	75.43%	0	0.00%
1960	2,545	32.04%	5,398	67.96%	0	0.00%
1956	3,355	41.41%	4,747	58.59%	0	0.00%
1952	3,567	38.05%	5,807	61.95%	0	0.00%
1948	2,538	31.39%	5,146	63.65%	401	4.96%
1944	2,623	31.90%	5,599	68.10%	0	0.00%
1940	2,439	26.82%	6,637	72.98%	18	0.20%
1936	1,797	22.19%	6,232	76.97%	68	0.84%
1932	2,043	29.26%	4,637	66.40%	303	4.34%
1928	2,528	45.15%	2,974	53.12%	97	1.73%
1924	2,119	42.16%	688	13.69%	2,219	44.15%
1920	1,744	54.14%	1,216	37.75%	261	8.10%
1916	1,287	43.79%	1,496	50.90%	156	5.31%
1912	888	35.76%	916	36.89%	679	27.35%
1908	1,299	58.49%	637	28.68%	285	12.83%
1904	1,473	71.37%	464	22.48%	127	6.15%
1900	1,101	59.80%	740	40.20%	0	0.00%
1896	754	42.19%	996	55.74%	37	2.07%
1892	674	47.03%	0	0.00%	759	52.97%

County commissioners

Name	Party	Term
Randal "Doc" Wendling	Republican	2015-
Wally Johnson	Republican	2005-
Jeffrey Smith (chair)	Republican	2019-
Roy Lloyd	Republican	2019-
Lauren Schoenfeld	Republican	2019-

Communities

Cities

• Green River (county seat)
• Rock Springs

Towns

• Bairoil
• Granger
• Superior
• Wamsutter

Census-designated places

• Arrowhead Springs
• Clearview Acres
• Eden
• Farson
• James Town
• Little America
• McKinnon
• North Rock Springs
• Point of Rocks
• Purple Sage
• Reliance
• Table Rock
• Washam

Other unincorporated communities

• Blairtown
• Creston ^[27]
• Quealy ^[28]
• Red Desert ^[29]
• Riner ^[30]
• Sweeney Ranch

Ghost towns

• Bryan
• Linwood (mostly within the State of Utah)
• Table Rock
• Winton

Media

Print

Sweetwater County is served by two print publications: Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner and The Green River Star (a weekly newspaper published in Green River).

Hyperlocal websites

Sweetwater County is served by a hyperlocal news websites, SweetwaterNOW.com and wyo4news.com.

See also

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

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sweetwater County
2. "State & County QuickFacts".
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. 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.
5. Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula MT: Mountain Press Publ. Co. ISBN   0-87842-204-8.
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". 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. "Sweetwater County, Wyoming - Ancestry & family history". Epodunk.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
12. "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.
13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
14. "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.
15. "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.
16. Wuthnow, Robert (2015). Inventing American Religion : Polls, Surveys, and the Tenuous Quest for a Nation's Faith. Oxford University Press. pp. 151–155. ISBN   9780190258900.
17. Johnson, Byron; Stark, Rodney; Bradshaw, Matt; Levin, Jeff (2022). "Are Religious "Nones" Really Not Religious?: Revisiting Glenn, Three Decades Later". Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion. 18 (7).
18. Blankholm, Joseph (2022). The Secular Paradox : On the Religiosity of the Not Religious. New York: New York University Press. p. 7. ISBN   9781479809509.
19. Johnson, Todd; Zurlo, Gina (2016). "Unaffiliated, Yet Religious: A Methodological and Demographic Analysis". In Cipriani, Roberto; Garelli, Franco (eds.). Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion: Volume 7: Sociology of Atheism. Leiden: Brill. pp. 58–60. ISBN   9789004317536.
20. Hout, Michael; Fischer, Claude S. (October 13, 2014). "Explaining Why More Americans Have No Religious Preference: Political Backlash and Generational Succession, 1987-2012". Sociological Science. 1: 423–447. doi: 10.15195/v1.a24 .
21. Hout, Michael (November 2017). "American Religion, All or Nothing at All". Contexts. 16 (4): 78–80. doi: 10.1177/1536504217742401 . S2CID   67327797.
22. Robert Fuller, Spiritual, but not Religious: Understanding Unchurched America, Oxford University Press (2001). pp. 1-4.
23. Drescher, Elizabeth (2016). Choosing our Religion: The Spiritual Lives of America's Nones. New York. pp. 21–26. ISBN   9780199341221.
24. Cox, Kiana (March 17, 2021). "Nine-in-ten Black 'nones' believe in God, but fewer pray or attend services". Pew Research Center.
25. "Key findings about Americans' belief in God". Pew Research Center. April 25, 2018.
26. Leip, Dave. US Election Atlas; 2016 Presidential General Election Results – Sweetwater County, WY (and earlier years)
27. Creston WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
28. Quealy WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
29. Red Desert WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)
30. Riner WY Google Maps (accessed January 13, 2019)

Further reading

• Gardner, A. Dudley (2011). "You could still live off the land: Sweetwater County during the Great Depression". Annals of Wyoming. Vol. 83, no. 1. pp. 2–20.

External links

• Official website