Sublette County, Wyoming

Sublette County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 8,728.[1] The county seat is Pinedale.[2] It is a sparsely populated rural county in western Wyoming, along the Green River.

Sublette County
County
Pinedale, Wyoming
Pinedale, Wyoming
Map of Wyoming highlighting Sublette County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°46′N 109°55′W
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedFebruary 15, 1921(authorized)
1923 (organized)
Named forWilliam Sublette
SeatPinedale
Largest townPinedale
Area
 • Total4,936 sq mi (12,780 km2)
 • Land4,887 sq mi (12,660 km2)
 • Water49 sq mi (130 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,728
 • Density1.8/sq mi (0.68/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.sublettewyo.com

History

Sublette County was created February 15, 1921, of land partitioned from Fremont and Lincoln counties. Its governing organization was completed by 1923.[3] Before settlement, the western Wyoming mountains were traversed and harvested by fur trappers and traders. Sublette County is named for one of those early characters, William Lewis Sublette.[4] Today the county celebrates its fur trade heritage with the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale. In the early 1900s the majority of the population in what is today Sublette County were first generation immigrants from England and Germany. A majority of the population in Sublette County supported America's entry into World War I and at the time the county was known for its "pro-British" sentiments. The German immigrants in the county were not anti-British, and most of them were outspoken about England being their favorite foreign country other than Germany, however they did support neutrality and want America to stay out of the war. Even during the war, relations between first generation English immigrants and first generation German immigrants were known for being exceptionally cordial (Sublette County, Wyoming stood out in this regard because this was not the norm nation-wide).[5]

Geography
Wind River Range from US 191 just south of Daniel, Wyoming

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,936 square miles (12,780 km2), of which 4,887 square miles (12,660 km2) is land and 49 square miles (130 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

At present, Bridger National Forest and Teton National Forest are administratively combined into the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Sublette County contains portions of both original forests.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19301,944—
19402,77842.9%
19502,481−10.7%
19603,77852.3%
19703,755−0.6%
19804,54821.1%
19904,8436.5%
20005,92022.2%
201010,24773.1%
20208,728−14.8%
US Decennial Census[7]
1870–2000[8] 2010–2016[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census[9] there were 5,920 people, 2,371 households, and 1,707 families in the county. Since 2000, however, an oil boom has increased the population significantly. The population density was 1.2 person per square mile (0.46 person/km2). There were 3,552 housing units at an average density of 0.7 units per square mile (0.27 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.48% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.7% were of German, 17.5% English, 11.0% American and 10.1% Irish ancestry.

There were 2,371 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.

The county population contained 25.80% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 28.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 104.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,044, and the median income for a family was $45,000. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $21,109 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,056. About 7.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,247 people, 3,906 households, and 2,594 families in the county.[10] The population density was 2.1 people per square mile (0.81 people/km2). There were 5,770 housing units at an average density of 1.2 units per square mile (0.46 units/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 3.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.9% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 31.8% were German, 22.0% were English, 11.3% were Irish, 6.3% were American, and 5.1% were Scottish.[12]

Of the 3,906 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.6% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 38.3 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $70,147 and the median income for a family was $81,389. Males had a median income of $51,125 versus $31,940 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,433. About 2.7% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

Government and politics

Like most of Wyoming, Sublette County is overwhelmingly Republican. Since it was created in 1921, the solitary Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won a majority against Herbert Hoover in 1932 and a twenty-nine vote plurality against Alf Landon four years later. Since 1968 no Democrat has reached twenty-nine percent of Sublette County's ballots, and the only occasions a Republican has failed to pass seventy percent were when Ross Perot took substantial numbers of votes in 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Sublette County, Wyoming[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,957 79.62% 882 17.75% 131 2.64%
2016 3,409 77.65% 644 14.67% 337 7.68%
2012 3,472 79.34% 767 17.53% 137 3.13%
2008 3,316 76.12% 936 21.49% 104 2.39%
2004 2,847 77.98% 730 19.99% 74 2.03%
2000 2,624 81.59% 458 14.24% 134 4.17%
1996 1,829 62.15% 677 23.00% 437 14.85%
1992 1,168 45.38% 536 20.82% 870 33.80%
1988 1,636 72.81% 576 25.63% 35 1.56%
1984 1,976 82.47% 389 16.24% 31 1.29%
1980 1,538 73.87% 357 17.15% 187 8.98%
1976 1,284 70.32% 528 28.92% 14 0.77%
1972 1,348 81.55% 304 18.39% 1 0.06%
1968 1,152 68.25% 310 18.36% 226 13.39%
1964 900 53.22% 791 46.78% 0 0.00%
1960 978 60.22% 646 39.78% 0 0.00%
1956 901 71.96% 351 28.04% 0 0.00%
1952 1,013 74.54% 344 25.31% 2 0.15%
1948 622 55.24% 496 44.05% 8 0.71%
1944 683 59.24% 470 40.76% 0 0.00%
1940 771 54.99% 627 44.72% 4 0.29%
1936 638 47.68% 667 49.85% 33 2.47%
1932 512 43.69% 633 54.01% 27 2.30%
1928 573 64.02% 316 35.31% 6 0.67%
1924 570 67.38% 183 21.63% 93 10.99%

Sublette County is managed by a county commission with three members. In 2011, Sublette County residents petitioned voters to approve an increase in this number to five as allowed under Wyoming law. The ballot initiative passed and five commissioners were to be seated during the 2012 election cycle.[16]

In early 2012, another ballot initiative was presented to voters requesting their approval to decrease the number of county commissioners back to three even before seating the two additional commissioners. This second special election, held on May 8, 2012, returned the commission to its previous number of three.[17]

Media references
  • In 2007, The New Yorker reported on the rising crime rate, influx of roughnecks and methamphetamine, the decline in ranching, and environmental damage associated with the county's oil boom.[18]
  • In 1965, The New Yorker described a trip along the Green River that set out from the Circle S Ranch in Cora.[19]

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. 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. Wyoming's Last Frontier, Sublette County, Wyoming: A Settlement History by Robert G. Rosenberg pg. 19
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  7. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  8. "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. "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.
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. "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.
  13. "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.
  14. "Calpet WY Google Maps (accessed 13 January 2019)".
  15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  16. "Sublette County voters expand county commission". News Article. Billings Gazette. August 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  17. "The Three's Have It In Sublette County". News Article. Sublette Times. May 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  18. Fuller, Alexandra Letter from Wyoming: Boomtown Blues, The New Yorker p. 35 (February 5, 2007)
  19. Roueche, Berton, Reporter at Large: Something About a River, The New Yorker p. 105 (October 23, 1965)
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42.76°N 109.92°W / 42.76; -109.92

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