According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 9,266 square miles (24,000 km2), of which 9,184 square miles (23,790 km2) is land and 82 square miles (210 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6] It is the second-largest county by area in Wyoming, as well as in the six Rocky Mountain States. Elevations and climate range from desert at Boysen State Park to glaciers at 13,804-foot (4,207 m)Gannett Peak, the highest point not only in Wyoming but in the three Central Rockies states ofWyoming,Idaho andMontana. The southern end of the county is traversed by theOregon Trail and in the northwest corner liesDubois, a gateway town forYellowstone National Park andGrand Teton National Park. Although the county seat is Lander, the largest community isRiverton, home ofCentral Wyoming College and the economic hub of the region. A large portion of the western edge of the county follows theContinental Divide at the crest of theWind River Range of theRocky Mountains, known for itswilderness areas and home of the largestglaciers in the AmericanRocky Mountains.
TheBridger National Forest and theTeton National Forest have been administratively combined into theBridger–Teton National Forest. Fremont County contains portions of both originally-designated forests.
As of the2000 United States census,[10] there were 35,804 people, 13,545 households, and 9,481 families in Fremont County. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 15,541 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup was 76.49%White, 0.12%Black orAfrican American, 19.68%Native American, 0.30%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 1.16% fromother races, and 2.21% from two or more races. 4.37% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 22.1% were of German, 9.9% English, 8.2% Irish and 6.3% American ancestry.
There were 13,545 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% weremarried couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.
The county population contained 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,503, and the median income for a family was $37,983. Males had a median income of $30,620 versus $19,802 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,519. About 13.30% of families and 17.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 40,123 people, 15,455 households, and 10,360 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 4.4 people per square mile (1.7 people/km2). There were 17,796 housing units at an average density of 1.9 units per square mile (0.73 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 74.3% white, 21.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 1.0% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.6% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 21.7% were German, 13.5% were English, 12.2% were Irish, and 7.7% were American.[13]
Of the 15,455 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.0% were non-families, and 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.5 years.[11]
The median income for a household in the county was $46,397 and the median income for a family was $55,531. Males had a median income of $44,087 versus $27,751 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,173. About 10.3% of families and 14.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.[14]
Fremont County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. Since 1936, in only one national election did the county voters select the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
Despite the county's strong Republican lean, a few Democratic-leaning precincts exist west of the county seat ofRiverton, in the Wind River Indian Reservation.[19]
United States presidential election results for Fremont County, Wyoming[20]
In his poemThe Ballad of Jesus Ortiz,Dana Gioia describes how his great-grandfather, a Mexican immigrant fromSonora, worked as aWild Westcow-puncher and was later murdered by a disgruntled andracist patron while working as asaloon keeper in the Fremont County town ofLost Cabin, Wyoming in 1910.[27]
The movieWind River is set on the Wind River Indian Reservation, which is inside Fremont County.
Scenes from the movieTaking Chance were set in Dubois, a town within Fremont County. The real-lifeChance Phelps from the film was born in Riverton and is buried in Dubois, both in Fremont County.
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