Park County, Wyoming | |
|---|---|
 Park County Courthouse in Cody | |
 Flag | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWyoming | |
| Coordinates:44°29′N109°34′W / 44.49°N 109.56°W /44.49; -109.56 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wyoming |
| Founded | February 15, 1909 (established) 1911 (organized) |
| Named after | Yellowstone National Park |
| Seat | Cody |
| Largest city | Cody |
| Area | |
• Total | 6,967 sq mi (18,040 km2) |
| • Land | 6,942 sq mi (17,980 km2) |
| • Water | 25 sq mi (65 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 29,624 |
• Estimate (2024) | 31,082 |
| • Density | 4.267/sq mi (1.648/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | At-large |
| Website | parkcounty-wy |
Park County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWyoming. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 29,624.[1] Thecounty seat isCody.[2] Park County is a majortourism destination. The county has over 53 percent ofYellowstone National Park's land area.[3] Many attractions abound, including theBuffalo Bill Historical Center, the Cody StampedeRodeo, the Ghost Town ofKirwin, and the westernmuseum Old Trail Town.
Wyoming gained separate territorial status in 1868. Before that, most of the state's area was included in eitherLaramie County (part of theDakota Territory) or as unorganized territory within the Dakota Territory.Wyoming Territory was established on July 25, 1868, at which time Laramie County was assigned to this jurisdiction. The area known as Park County was established as Carter County, then Sweetwater County. In 1884 it was assigned to Fremont County; this continued until 1896, when it was assigned to Big Horn County.
Wyoming achieved statehood in 1890. The land in modern Park County continued as part of Big Horn County until 1909, when Park County was authorized. The county governing structure was put in place during 1911;[4] a courthouse was constructed 1911–1912. An addition to the building was completed in 1983, and the complete building was restored in 1985.[5] The county was named forYellowstone National Park which is mostly within the limits of Park County.[6]
Immigrants fromIreland andGermany settled in what would become Park County in the 1870s.[7] Immigrants fromEngland were the largest immigrant group in Park County in the late 1800s and early 1900s.[8] In 1911 when the county was organized the largest population group in the county were first generation English immigrants and their Wyoming-born children. Many English immigrants who had settled in Wyoming and become American citizens remained connected to England, many of the children of these English immigrants who had been born and raised in Wyoming joined the Canadian military in order to fight alongside Britain duringWorld War I, and subsequently, when America joined the war many volunteered to join the United States military before the U.S. officially instituted a draft.[9]
In 1913,Hot Springs County was created from portions of Park County,Big Horn County, andFremont County. Park County also had minor boundary adjustments in 1929 and 1931, but otherwise its boundaries have remained unchanged.
Much of Park County is held under state or federal control. Most of the Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest, and a portion of Yellowstone National Park, the first national park, fall within Park County boundaries. Three rivers flow through Park County: the Greybull and Shoshone Rivers which are tributaries to the Big Horn River, and the Clark's Fork River which flows into the Yellowstone River.[5]
According to theUS Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,967 square miles (18,040 km2), of which 6,942 square miles (17,980 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (0.4%) is water.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 4,909 | — | |
| 1920 | 7,298 | 48.7% | |
| 1930 | 8,207 | 12.5% | |
| 1940 | 10,976 | 33.7% | |
| 1950 | 15,182 | 38.3% | |
| 1960 | 16,874 | 11.1% | |
| 1970 | 17,752 | 5.2% | |
| 1980 | 21,639 | 21.9% | |
| 1990 | 23,178 | 7.1% | |
| 2000 | 25,786 | 11.3% | |
| 2010 | 28,205 | 9.4% | |
| 2020 | 29,624 | 5.0% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 31,082 | [11] | 4.9% |
| US Decennial Census[12] 1870–2000[13] 2010–2016[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 29,624. Of the residents, 20.5% were under the age of 18 and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 45.7 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.9 males.[14][15]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 24,356 | 26,090 | 26,316 | 94.45% | 92.50% | 88.83% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 19 | 50 | 59 | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.20% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 104 | 139 | 120 | 0.40% | 0.49% | 0.41% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 111 | 164 | 211 | 0.43% | 0.58% | 0.71% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 12 | 25 | 17 | 0.05% | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 16 | 22 | 148 | 0.06% | 0.08% | 0.50% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 209 | 350 | 1,056 | 0.81% | 1.24% | 3.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 959 | 1,365 | 1,697 | 3.72% | 4.84% | 5.73% |
| Total | 25,786 | 28,205 | 29,624 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 90.7% White, 0.2%Black or African American, 0.5%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Asian, 1.9% from some other race, and 5.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.7% of the population.[15]
There were 12,679 households in the county, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]
There were 14,523 housing units, of which 12.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.7% were owner-occupied and 28.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.[14]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 28,205 people, 11,885 households, and 7,777 families in the county.[19] The population density was 4.1 people per square mile (1.6 people/km2). There were 13,562 housing units at an average density of 2.0 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 31.7% wereGerman, 16.3% wereEnglish, 15.4% wereIrish, and 6.3% wereAmerican.[21]
Of the 11,885 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 43.6 years.[19]
The median income for a household in the county was $46,637 and the median income for a family was $58,297. Males had a median income of $40,036 versus $27,450 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,203. About 5.5% of families and 9.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.[22]
As of the2000 United States census,[23] there were 25,786 people, 10,312 households, and 7,094 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 11,869 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46%White, 0.09%Black orAfrican American, 0.47%Native American, 0.44%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 1.41% fromother races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 3.72% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 26.3% were ofGerman and 13.3%English ancestry.
There were 10,312 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% weremarried couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 26.20% 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 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.
The county population contained 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,829, and the median income for a family was $41,406. Males had a median income of $33,452 versus $20,500 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,020. About 8.40% of families and 12.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.
Like almost all of Wyoming, Park County is overwhelmingly Republican.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 534 | 29.80% | 672 | 37.50% | 586 | 32.70% |
| 1916 | 1,092 | 46.89% | 1,146 | 49.21% | 91 | 3.91% |
| 1920 | 1,630 | 70.53% | 666 | 28.82% | 15 | 0.65% |
| 1924 | 1,607 | 55.47% | 530 | 18.29% | 760 | 26.23% |
| 1928 | 2,175 | 66.72% | 1,062 | 32.58% | 23 | 0.71% |
| 1932 | 1,600 | 42.59% | 2,043 | 54.38% | 114 | 3.03% |
| 1936 | 1,618 | 37.50% | 2,594 | 60.12% | 103 | 2.39% |
| 1940 | 2,512 | 47.56% | 2,747 | 52.01% | 23 | 0.44% |
| 1944 | 2,571 | 53.25% | 2,257 | 46.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 2,655 | 51.60% | 2,461 | 47.83% | 29 | 0.56% |
| 1952 | 5,067 | 70.62% | 2,084 | 29.05% | 24 | 0.33% |
| 1956 | 4,397 | 69.17% | 1,960 | 30.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,510 | 64.37% | 2,496 | 35.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,698 | 49.68% | 3,745 | 50.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,677 | 65.56% | 1,852 | 25.96% | 605 | 8.48% |
| 1972 | 5,890 | 74.79% | 1,950 | 24.76% | 35 | 0.44% |
| 1976 | 5,878 | 68.33% | 2,656 | 30.88% | 68 | 0.79% |
| 1980 | 6,435 | 73.03% | 1,718 | 19.50% | 658 | 7.47% |
| 1984 | 7,994 | 79.19% | 1,965 | 19.47% | 136 | 1.35% |
| 1988 | 6,884 | 70.95% | 2,646 | 27.27% | 172 | 1.77% |
| 1992 | 5,218 | 46.55% | 2,771 | 24.72% | 3,220 | 28.73% |
| 1996 | 7,430 | 61.42% | 3,240 | 26.78% | 1,428 | 11.80% |
| 2000 | 9,884 | 77.00% | 2,424 | 18.88% | 528 | 4.11% |
| 2004 | 10,917 | 76.71% | 3,007 | 21.13% | 307 | 2.16% |
| 2008 | 10,839 | 72.33% | 3,757 | 25.07% | 389 | 2.60% |
| 2012 | 11,234 | 76.90% | 2,927 | 20.04% | 447 | 3.06% |
| 2016 | 11,115 | 73.63% | 2,535 | 16.79% | 1,445 | 9.57% |
| 2020 | 12,813 | 76.65% | 3,410 | 20.40% | 494 | 2.96% |
| 2024 | 13,084 | 78.15% | 3,259 | 19.46% | 400 | 2.39% |
School districts include:[35]
The portion of Park County inYellowstone National Park is not in any school district.[36]
Places adjacent to Park County, Wyoming | |
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Municipalities and communities ofPark County, Wyoming,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
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