Platte County, Wyoming

Platte County, Wyoming
Map of Wyoming highlighting Platte County
Location in the state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location in the U.S.
Founded 1911
Named for North Platte River
Seat Wheatland
Largest town Wheatland
Area
 • Total 2,111 sq mi (5,467 km2)
 • Land 2,084 sq mi (5,398 km2)
 • Water 27 sq mi (70 km2), 1.3%
Population
 • (2010) 8,807
 • Density 4.2/sq mi (2/km²)
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website plattecountywyoming.com

Platte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,667.[1] Its county seat is Wheatland.[2]

History

Platte County was created February 21, 1911 with land detached from Laramie County.[3]

The county was named for the North Platte River, which flows through the northeastern part of the county.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Major Highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19207,421—
19309,69530.6%
19408,013−17.3%
19507,925−1.1%
19607,195−9.2%
19706,486−9.9%
198011,97584.6%
19908,145−32.0%
20008,8078.1%
20108,667−1.6%
Est. 20148,7991.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1870-2000[7] 2010-2012[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 8,807 people, 3,625 households, and 2,494 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 4,528 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.18% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 5.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.7% were of German, 13.4% Irish, 11.3% English and 7.5% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,625 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married 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.

In the county the population was spread out with 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. The per capita income for the county was $17,530. About 8.50% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Long, John H. (2006). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  4. ↑ Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company. ISBN 0-87842-204-8.
  5. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
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Coordinates: 42°08′N 104°58′W / 42.13°N 104.96°W