Wright, Wyoming
| Wright, Wyoming | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Motto: "Wright Time... Wright Community...Wright Now!" | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 43°45′18″N 105°29′26″W / 43.75500°N 105.49056°WCoordinates: 43°45′18″N 105°29′26″W / 43.75500°N 105.49056°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Campbell |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 2.85 sq mi (7.38 km2) |
| • Land | 2.85 sq mi (7.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,121 ft (1,561 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 1,807 |
| • Estimate (2012[3]) | 1,856 |
| • Density | 634.0/sq mi (244.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 82732 |
| Area code(s) | 307 |
| FIPS code | 56-85015[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1605008[5] |
| Website | Town of Wright Wyoming |
Wright is a town in Campbell County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,807 at the 2010 census.
History
Settlement began in the area near Wright in the 1970s, with the creation of the Black Thunder Coal Mine, the largest mine in the Powder River Basin and most productive mine in the United States. The town itself was incorporated in 1985.[6]
Originally known as Reno Junction (descendants of Major Reno from Custer's troop resided in the area), the town was renamed "Wright" after the owner of the Long Branch Bar, Dale Wright, who agreed to sell land to Atlantic Richfield Corporation, the developer of the Black Thunder Mine, who planned to build the town to accommodate the work force that would be hired to operate the mine.
On August 12, 2005, an F2 rated tornado struck a mobile home park at Wright, destroying 91 homes, damaging others, and killing two people.
Geography
Wright is located at 43°45′18″N 105°29′26″W / 43.75500°N 105.49056°W (43.754988, -105.490691)[7].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.85 square miles (7.38 km2), all of it land.[1]
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,807 people, 685 households, and 476 families residing in the town. The population density was 634.0 inhabitants per square mile (244.8 /km2). There were 813 housing units at an average density of 285.3 per square mile (110.2 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.5% White, 0.1% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.
There were 685 households of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.5% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.
The median age in the town was 32.8 years. 30.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 2.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 55.0% male and 45.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,347 people, 475 households, and 388 families residing in the town. The population density was 490.0 people per square mile (189.1/km²). There were 544 housing units at an average density of 197.9 per square mile (76.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.62% White, 0.45% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.82% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 475 households out of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.6% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 33.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 1.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 112.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,125, and the median income for a family was $55,764. Males had a median income of $46,058 versus $22,955 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,126. About 3.9% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 33.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public education in the town of Wright is provided by Campbell County School District #1. Zoned campuses include Cottonwood Elementary School (grades K-6) and Wright Junior/Senior High School (grades 7-12).
Community
A branch of the Campbell County Public Library resides in the town, as well as a branch of Campco Federal Credit Union and The Campbell County Recreation Center.
Economy
Having been established as a mining town, the majority of people living in Wright are employed by the various mines surrounding it. The site for the proposed, but stalled, Two Elk Energy Park is several miles from town. The Two Elk power plant is a planned 300 megawatt power plant which would burn "waste coal" from mines in the area. Waste coal is low-grade coal unsuitable for shipping and sale which would otherwise be reburied. Recent iterations of the plan include using beetle-killed pine as fuel. Only a shed and a partial foundation are at the site. Over 16 years, a series of permit extensions have been issued by Wyoming. Nearly half a billion dollars are available from tax-exempt bonds, but additional investment is required in order to fund the plant.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Wright, Wyoming". City-Data.com. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ Mead Gruver (March 30, 2013). "Wyo. power plant stalls 17 years, faces skepticism". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
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