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Niobrara County, Wyoming

Coordinates: 43°03′N 104°28′W / 43.05°N 104.47°W / 43.05; -104.47
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Niobrara County
Stagecoach Museum in Lusk
Stagecoach Museum in Lusk
Map of Wyoming highlighting Niobrara County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°03′N 104°28′W / 43.05°N 104.47°W / 43.05; -104.47
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedFebruary 21, 1911 (authorized)
1913 (organized)
Named forNiobrara River
SeatLusk
Largest townLusk
Area
 • Total
2,628 sq mi (6,810 km2)
 • Land2,626 sq mi (6,800 km2)
 • Water1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.07%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,467
 • Density0.94/sq mi (0.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.niobraracounty.org
Niobrara County (WY) SR85

Niobrara County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 2,467,[1] making it the least populous county in Wyoming. Its county seat is Lusk.[2] Its eastern boundary abuts the west lines of the states of Nebraska and South Dakota.

History

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Niobrara County was created on February 21, 1911, of area annexed from Converse County. Its organization was established in 1913.[3]

The county was named for the Niobrara River, which rises near Lusk.[4]

Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,628 square miles (6,810 km2), of which 2,626 square miles (6,800 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.07%) is water.[5]

In comparison to the state of Rhode Island, the county has more than twice the land area, with approximately 1/500 of the population.[6]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19206,321
19304,723−25.3%
19405,98826.8%
19504,701−21.5%
19603,750−20.2%
19702,924−22.0%
19802,9240.0%
19902,499−14.5%
20002,407−3.7%
20102,4843.2%
20202,467−0.7%
2023 (est.)2,354[7]−4.6%
US Decennial Census[8]
1870–2000[9] 2010–2016[1]
Niobrara County (WY) US85N

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States Census,[10] of 2000, there were 2,407 people, 1,011 households, and 679 families in the county. The population density was 1 person per square mile (0.39 person/km2). There were 1,338 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.05% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.1% were of German, 18.7% English, 11.2% Irish, and 5.7% American ancestry.

There were 1,011 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81.

The county population contained 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,701, and the median income for a family was $33,714. Males had a median income of $25,909 versus $17,016 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,757. About 10.70% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 15.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,484 people, 1,069 households, and 659 families in the county.[11] The population density was 0.9 people per square mile (0.35 people/km2). There were 1,338 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 41.5% were German, 19.0% were English, 17.7% were Irish, 6.6% were Swedish, and 3.0% were American.[13]

Of the 1,069 households, 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.4% were non-families, and 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.71. The median age was 46.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,813 and the median income for a family was $57,153. Males had a median income of $41,898 versus $30,323 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,885. About 6.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Communities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Like almost all of Wyoming, Niobrara County is overwhelmingly Republican. No Democratic presidential candidate has won Niobrara County since Franklin D. Roosevelt beat Alf Landon in 1936 by thirty-eight votes, and none since Lyndon Johnson in 1964 has attained thirty percent of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Niobrara County, Wyoming[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,108 89.79% 112 9.08% 14 1.13%
2020 1,118 85.47% 155 11.85% 35 2.68%
2016 1,116 84.93% 115 8.75% 83 6.32%
2012 1,022 80.09% 200 15.67% 54 4.23%
2008 1,017 78.65% 244 18.87% 32 2.47%
2004 1,064 80.97% 230 17.50% 20 1.52%
2000 888 78.79% 190 16.86% 49 4.35%
1996 757 58.01% 325 24.90% 223 17.09%
1992 635 48.85% 298 22.92% 367 28.23%
1988 825 69.27% 354 29.72% 12 1.01%
1984 1,098 80.79% 239 17.59% 22 1.62%
1980 1,075 76.13% 270 19.12% 67 4.75%
1976 1,042 70.55% 427 28.91% 8 0.54%
1972 1,245 81.00% 289 18.80% 3 0.20%
1968 1,136 76.24% 250 16.78% 104 6.98%
1964 1,122 57.10% 843 42.90% 0 0.00%
1960 1,362 70.57% 568 29.43% 0 0.00%
1956 1,248 70.67% 518 29.33% 0 0.00%
1952 1,652 73.13% 588 26.03% 19 0.84%
1948 975 55.87% 753 43.15% 17 0.97%
1944 1,312 61.37% 826 38.63% 0 0.00%
1940 1,427 54.22% 1,200 45.59% 5 0.19%
1936 1,086 48.37% 1,124 50.07% 35 1.56%
1932 908 41.56% 1,237 56.61% 40 1.83%
1928 1,424 74.21% 469 24.44% 26 1.35%
1924 820 48.43% 202 11.93% 671 39.63%
1920 969 73.52% 345 26.18% 4 0.30%
1916 533 45.63% 599 51.28% 36 3.08%
1912 500 49.36% 282 27.84% 231 22.80%

The Wyoming Department of Corrections Wyoming Women's Center is located in Lusk.[16] 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.[17]

Education

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There is one school district, Niobrara County School District 1.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Long, John H., ed. (2004). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  4. ^ Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. ISBN 0-87842-204-8.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  6. ^ "Science for a changing world". www.usgs.gov. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. ^ "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  16. ^ Contact Institutions. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  17. ^ About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Niobrara County, WY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 5, 2024. - Text list

43°03′N 104°28′W / 43.05°N 104.47°W / 43.05; -104.47