Van Tassell, Wyoming

Van Tassell, Wyoming
Town
Van Tassell from Hwy 20
Location of Van Tassell in Niobrara County, Wyoming.
Van Tassell, Wyoming Location in the United States
Coordinates: 42°39′49″N104°5′28″W / 42.66361°N 104.09111°W / 42.66361; -104.09111
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
County	Niobrara
Area [1]
• Total	1.83 sq mi (4.73 km2)
• Land	1.83 sq mi (4.73 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	4,741 ft (1,445 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	22
• Estimate  (2019) [3]	18
• Density	9.85/sq mi (3.80/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	82242
Area code	307
FIPS code	56-79705 [4]
GNIS feature ID	1595915 [5]

Van Tassell is a town in Niobrara County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 15 at the 2010 census. It is the least populous town in the least populous county of the least populous state in the U.S.

History

A post office was established at Van Tassell in 1910 ^[6] and was in operation until its discontinuation in 2017. The town was named for R. S. Van Tassell, a cattleman. ^[7]

Geography

Van Tassell is located at 42°39′49″N104°5′28″W / 42.66361°N 104.09111°W / 42.66361; -104.09111 (42.663612, –104.091149). ^[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.83 square miles (4.74 km²), all land. ^[9]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	170		—
1930	90		−47.1%
1940	82		−8.9%
1950	34		−58.5%
1960	15		−55.9%
1970	21		40.0%
1980	10		−52.4%
1990	8		−20.0%
2000	18		125.0%
2010	15		−16.7%
2020	22		46.7%
2019 (est.)	18	[3]	20.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census ^[2] of 2010, there were 15 people, 6 households, and 6 families residing in the town. The population density was 8.2 inhabitants per square mile (3.2/km²). There were 9 housing units at an average density of 4.9 per square mile (1.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 100.0% White.

There were 6 households, of which 2 had children under the age of 18 living with them, 5 were married couples living together, and 2 had a female householder with no husband present. No households were made up of single individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.50.

The median age in the town was 52.5 years. 4 residents were under the age of 18; 0 were between the ages of 18 and 24; 2 were from 25 to 44; 5 were from 45 to 64; and 4 were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 6 males and 9 females.

2000 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, there were 18 people, 9 households, and 5 families residing in the town. The population density was 9.9 people per square mile (3.8/km²). There were 11 housing units at an average density of 6.0 per square mile (2.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.44% White and 5.56% Asian.

There were 9 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, and 44.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.7% under the age of 18, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 63.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,750, and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $40,000 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,686. None of the population or the families were below the poverty line.

Education

Public education in the town of Van Tassell is provided by Niobrara County School District #1. Schools serving the town include Lusk Elementary/Middle School (grades K–6) and Niobrara County High School (grades 7–12).

Highways

• U.S. Route 20 - east–west route through Van Tassell.
• WYO 159 (Van Tassell Rd.) - South Van Tassell Rd. becomes Wyoming State Route 159 to Torrington.

Notable residents

• Warren Leroy Jones, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, lived in Van Tassell as a young man. ^[10]

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 14, 2012.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "Niobrara County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
7. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 133.
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
10. Lee, Allison Herren; Shakely, William W.; Brown Jr., J. Robert (Fall 1998). "Judge Warren L. Jones and the Supreme Court of Dixie". Louisiana Law Review. 59 (1): 210–252.