Thermopolis, Wyoming

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thermopolis is a town in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 3,172. As might be expected from its name and the name of its county, Thermopolis is home to numerous natural hot springs, in which mineral-laden waters are heated by geothermal processes. It claims the world's largest mineral hot springs as part of Hot Springs State Park. The springs are open to the public for free as part of an 1896 treaty signed with the Shoshone and Arapaho Indian tribes.

The town is also home of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, a private organization that conducts paleontology digs in the area.

The Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center has an eclectic collection of memorabilia from local pioneers circa 1890 through 1910. It plans to focus on Tim McCoy, who lived in Hot Springs County from 1912 to 1942, during which he built the High Eagle Ranch about 45 miles west of town. He worked for many years as an actor in what are now called B westerns, or lower-budget cowboy movies in Hollywood.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Notable native
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Thermopolis is located at 43°38′44″N, 108°12′53″W (43.645667, -108.214641)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²). 6.2 km² (2.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (3.64%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,172 people, 1,342 households, and 849 families residing in the town. The population density was 514.6/km² (1,331.0/mi²). There were 1,568 housing units at an average density of 254.4/km² (657.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.90% White, 0.47% African American, 1.70% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 1,342 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,205, and the median income for a family was $38,448. Males had a median income of $26,824 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,648. About 8.3% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.