Platte County, Wyoming | |
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 Flag | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWyoming | |
| Coordinates:42°08′N104°58′W / 42.13°N 104.96°W /42.13; -104.96 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wyoming |
| Founded | February 21, 1911 (authorized) 1913 (organized) |
| Named after | North Platte River |
| Seat | Wheatland |
| Largest town | Wheatland |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,111 sq mi (5,470 km2) |
| • Land | 2,084 sq mi (5,400 km2) |
| • Water | 27 sq mi (70 km2) 1.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,605 |
• Estimate (2024) | 8,512 |
| • Density | 4.129/sq mi (1.594/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | At-large |
| Website | plattecountywyoming |
Platte County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofWyoming. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 8,605.[1] Itscounty seat isWheatland.[2]
Platte County was created February 21, 1911, with land detached fromLaramie County and organized in 1913.[3] The county was named for theNorth Platte River, which flows through the northeastern part of the county.[4]
According to theUS Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,111 square miles (5,470 km2), of which 2,084 square miles (5,400 km2) is land and 27 square miles (70 km2) (1.3%) is water.[5] It is the third-smallest county in Wyoming by area.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 7,421 | — | |
| 1930 | 9,695 | 30.6% | |
| 1940 | 8,013 | −17.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,925 | −1.1% | |
| 1960 | 7,195 | −9.2% | |
| 1970 | 6,486 | −9.9% | |
| 1980 | 11,975 | 84.6% | |
| 1990 | 8,145 | −32.0% | |
| 2000 | 8,807 | 8.1% | |
| 2010 | 8,667 | −1.6% | |
| 2020 | 8,605 | −0.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 8,512 | [6] | −1.1% |
| US Decennial Census[7] 1870–2000[8] 2010–2016[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 8,605. Of the residents, 19.9% were under the age of 18 and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 49.1 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.2 males.[9][10]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[11] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,181 | 7,908 | 7,469 | 92.89% | 91.24% | 86.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3 | 25 | 19 | 0.03% | 0.29% | 0.22% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 37 | 29 | 67 | 0.42% | 0.33% | 0.78% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 31 | 43 | 0.10% | 0.36% | 0.50% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0.02% | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 24 | 6 | 33 | 0.27% | 0.07% | 0.38% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 86 | 83 | 275 | 0.98% | 0.96% | 3.20% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 465 | 580 | 695 | 5.28% | 6.69% | 8.08% |
| Total | 8,807 | 8,667 | 8,605 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The racial makeup of the county was 89.9% White, 0.2%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 2.5% from some other race, and 5.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.1% of the population.[10]
There were 3,776 households in the county, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[9]
There were 4,595 housing units, of which 17.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.0% were owner-occupied and 25.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.0%.[9]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 8,667 people, 3,838 households, and 2,505 families in the county.[14] The population density was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6 people/km2). There were 4,667 housing units at an average density of 2.2 units per square mile (0.85 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.7% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 45.3% wereGerman, 21.1% wereEnglish, 17.3% wereIrish, and 6.2% wereAmerican.[16]
Of the 3,838 households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 47.5 years.[14]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,947 and the median income for a family was $51,759. Males had a median income of $55,757 versus $29,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,185. About 6.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.[17]
As of the2000 United States census,[18] there were 8,807 people, 3,625 households, and 2,494 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 4,528 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.18%White, 0.16%Black orAfrican American, 0.50%Native American, 0.17%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 1.69% fromother races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 5.28% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 31.7% were ofGerman, 13.4%Irish, 11.3%English and 7.5%American ancestry.
There were 3,625 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% weremarried couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.92.
The county population contained 25.40% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,866, and the median income for a family was $41,449. Males had a median income of $31,484 versus $19,635 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,530. About 8.50% of families and 11.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.
Platte County has been a statewide bellwhether since its creation in 1912. No candidate in history has ever carried Wyoming without winning Platte County.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 500 | 28.33% | 785 | 44.48% | 480 | 27.20% |
| 1916 | 806 | 36.69% | 1,276 | 58.08% | 115 | 5.23% |
| 1920 | 1,405 | 65.68% | 694 | 32.45% | 40 | 1.87% |
| 1924 | 1,383 | 49.55% | 436 | 15.62% | 972 | 34.83% |
| 1928 | 2,206 | 67.75% | 932 | 28.62% | 118 | 3.62% |
| 1932 | 1,430 | 39.46% | 1,893 | 52.24% | 301 | 8.31% |
| 1936 | 1,546 | 45.39% | 1,730 | 50.79% | 130 | 3.82% |
| 1940 | 1,758 | 48.54% | 1,849 | 51.05% | 15 | 0.41% |
| 1944 | 1,776 | 53.49% | 1,544 | 46.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,366 | 47.88% | 1,465 | 51.35% | 22 | 0.77% |
| 1952 | 2,148 | 60.95% | 1,364 | 38.71% | 12 | 0.34% |
| 1956 | 1,848 | 55.21% | 1,499 | 44.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,771 | 53.20% | 1,558 | 46.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,470 | 43.75% | 1,890 | 56.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,613 | 54.36% | 1,035 | 34.88% | 319 | 10.75% |
| 1972 | 2,200 | 70.35% | 925 | 29.58% | 2 | 0.06% |
| 1976 | 1,844 | 53.45% | 1,593 | 46.17% | 13 | 0.38% |
| 1980 | 2,642 | 57.21% | 1,555 | 33.67% | 421 | 9.12% |
| 1984 | 2,813 | 68.28% | 1,232 | 29.90% | 75 | 1.82% |
| 1988 | 2,253 | 59.16% | 1,482 | 38.92% | 73 | 1.92% |
| 1992 | 1,668 | 41.18% | 1,398 | 34.51% | 985 | 24.31% |
| 1996 | 2,155 | 48.89% | 1,631 | 37.00% | 622 | 14.11% |
| 2000 | 2,925 | 66.89% | 1,249 | 28.56% | 199 | 4.55% |
| 2004 | 3,149 | 68.85% | 1,328 | 29.03% | 97 | 2.12% |
| 2008 | 3,002 | 65.83% | 1,407 | 30.86% | 151 | 3.31% |
| 2012 | 3,136 | 69.21% | 1,223 | 26.99% | 172 | 3.80% |
| 2016 | 3,437 | 75.89% | 719 | 15.88% | 373 | 8.24% |
| 2020 | 3,898 | 79.18% | 890 | 18.08% | 135 | 2.74% |
| 2024 | 3,874 | 81.30% | 780 | 16.37% | 111 | 2.33% |
Places adjacent to Platte County, Wyoming | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofPlatte County, Wyoming,United States | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
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