Washakie County, Wyoming

Washakie County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 7,685.^[1] Its county seat is Worland.^[2]

Washakie County was created on February 21, 1911, as Hanover County with land detached from Big Horn County and organized in 1913.^[3] The bill for creating the county initially named it "Hanover County", but it was renamed before the bill passed to Washakie County for the head chief of the Shoshone people, Chief Washakie, who became an ally of the US Government.^[4]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,243 square miles (5,810 km²), of which 2,239 square miles (5,800 km²) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km²) (0.2%) is water.^[5]

• Bighorn National Forest (part)

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,685. Of the residents, 23.9% were under the age of 18 and 23.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.4 males.^[1][11]

The racial makeup of the county was 85.9% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 5.0% from some other race, and 7.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 13.9% of the population.^[11]

There were 3,271 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[1]

There were 3,849 housing units, of which 15.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.3% were owner-occupied and 26.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.8%.^[1]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 8,533 people, 3,492 households, and 2,395 families in the county.^[15] The population density was 3.8 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 1.7 units per square mile (0.66 units/km²).^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 91.4% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 4.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.6% of the population.^[15] In terms of ancestry, 33.1% were German, 17.6% were English, 11.7% were Irish, 6.6% were American, and 5.5% were Norwegian.^[17]

Of the 3,492 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.4% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 41.8 years.^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,379 and the median income for a family was $61,340. Males had a median income of $45,579 versus $30,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,557. About 1.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.^[18]

As of the 2000 United States census,^[19] there were 8,289 people, 3,278 households, and 2,310 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.22% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 6.21% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. 11.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.1% were of German, 13.1% English, 9.9% Irish and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 3,278 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 27.20% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,943, and the median income for a family was $42,584. Males had a median income of $31,633 versus $21,028 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,780. About 10.00% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

• Worland (county seat)

• Ten Sleep

Like almost all of Wyoming, Washakie County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Washakie County since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1936 landslide against Alf Landon. Although Lyndon Johnson did get within eighteen votes of Barry Goldwater, no Democrat since has reached one-third of the county's vote.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services Juvenile Services Division operates the Wyoming Boys' School, located in Mc Nutt,^[21] unincorporated Washakie County, near Worland.^[22] 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.^[23]

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

43°55′N 107°41′W / 43.91°N 107.68°W / 43.91; -107.68