Weston County, Wyoming

Weston County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 6,838.[1] Its county seat is Newcastle.[2] Its east boundary line abuts the west line of the state of South Dakota.

Weston County
County
Weston County Courthouse in Newcastle
Weston County Courthouse in Newcastle
Flag of Weston County
Flag
Map of Wyoming highlighting Weston 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°50′N 104°34′W
Country United States
State Wyoming
FoundedMarch 12, 1890
Named forJefferson B. Weston
SeatNewcastle
Largest cityNewcastle
Area
 • Total2,400 sq mi (6,000 km2)
 • Land2,398 sq mi (6,210 km2)
 • Water1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,838
 • Density2.8/sq mi (1.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewestongov.com

History

Weston County was created by the legislature of the Wyoming Territory on March 12, 1890, of land partitioned from Crook County.[3]

Weston County was named for John Weston, a geologist and surveyor.[4] In 1887, Jefferson Weston and Frank Mondell found rich coal deposits north of Newcastle which caused a railroad to be built through the area.

In 1911, Campbell County was formed from portions of Weston County and Crook County. Since then, the boundaries of Weston County have been stable.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,400 square miles (6,200 km2), of which 2,398 square miles (6,210 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.08%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,422—
19003,20332.2%
19104,96054.9%
19204,631−6.6%
19304,6730.9%
19404,9586.1%
19506,73335.8%
19607,92917.8%
19706,307−20.5%
19807,10612.7%
19906,518−8.3%
20006,6441.9%
20107,2088.5%
20206,838−5.1%
US Decennial Census[6]
1870–2000[7] 2010[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[8] there were 6,644 people, 2,624 households, and 1,868 families in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 3,231 housing units at an average density of 1.3 units per square mile (0.50 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.94% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 1.26% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.0% were of German, 13.0% English, 8.9% Irish and 7.2% American ancestry.

There were 2,624 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.88.

The county population contained 24.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 103.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,348, and the median income for a family was $40,472. Males had a median income of $34,321 versus $18,640 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,366. About 6.30% of families and 9.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,208 people, 3,021 households, and 1,957 families in the county.[9] The population density was 3.0 people per square mile (1.2 people/km2). There were 3,533 housing units at an average density of 1.5 units per square mile (0.58 units/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 1.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.[9] In terms of ancestry, 31.7% were German, 19.3% were Irish, 18.5% were English, 6.6% were Norwegian, 6.1% were Swedish, and 5.6% were American.[11]

Of the 3,021 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 42.3 years.[9]

The median income for a household in the county was $53,853 and the median income for a family was $63,438. Males had a median income of $53,095 versus $28,724 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,463. About 5.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.[12]

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated places

Other places

Politics

Like all of the High Plains, and almost all of Wyoming, Weston County is overwhelmingly Republican. Since Wyoming statehood in 1890, it has been carried by a Democrat just three times. Woodrow Wilson carried the county in 1912 as a result of a split between the conservative incumbent William Howard Taft and Progressive ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, whilst in his two 1930s landslides Franklin D. Roosevelt became the other Democrat to win Weston County, although he defeated Republican Alf Landon in 1936 by just 109 votes.

Subsequent to Lyndon Johnson losing the county to Barry Goldwater by just fifty-four votes in 1964, no Democrat has passed 35 percent of Weston County's vote. Indeed, Bill Clinton in 1996 was the last Democratic to pass twenty percent.

United States presidential election results for Weston County, Wyoming[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,107 87.72% 360 10.16% 75 2.12%
2016 3,033 86.02% 299 8.48% 194 5.50%
2012 2,821 83.98% 422 12.56% 116 3.45%
2008 2,618 77.16% 658 19.39% 117 3.45%
2004 2,739 80.75% 580 17.10% 73 2.15%
2000 2,521 82.39% 449 14.67% 90 2.94%
1996 1,763 55.55% 871 27.44% 540 17.01%
1992 1,465 48.40% 727 24.02% 835 27.59%
1988 1,988 72.98% 699 25.66% 37 1.36%
1984 2,614 83.59% 482 15.41% 31 0.99%
1980 2,219 74.71% 584 19.66% 167 5.62%
1976 1,770 65.22% 934 34.41% 10 0.37%
1972 2,063 78.47% 520 19.78% 46 1.75%
1968 1,497 63.08% 610 25.71% 266 11.21%
1964 1,473 50.93% 1,419 49.07% 0 0.00%
1960 1,743 59.21% 1,201 40.79% 0 0.00%
1956 1,837 64.05% 1,031 35.95% 0 0.00%
1952 1,931 69.61% 839 30.25% 4 0.14%
1948 962 53.80% 822 45.97% 4 0.22%
1944 1,097 59.27% 754 40.73% 0 0.00%
1940 1,292 56.57% 985 43.13% 7 0.31%
1936 1,084 47.23% 1,193 51.98% 18 0.78%
1932 840 35.81% 1,459 62.19% 47 2.00%
1928 1,127 61.28% 688 37.41% 24 1.31%
1924 794 45.35% 317 18.10% 640 36.55%
1920 1,073 68.65% 463 29.62% 27 1.73%
1916 791 49.87% 734 46.28% 61 3.85%
1912 449 34.41% 459 35.17% 397 30.42%
1908 723 58.45% 478 38.64% 36 2.91%
1904 810 77.66% 221 21.19% 12 1.15%
1900 548 61.85% 338 38.15% 0 0.00%
1896 451 58.12% 319 41.11% 6 0.77%
1892 294 57.20% 0 0.00% 220 42.80%

The Wyoming Department of Corrections Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp & Boot Camp is located in Newcastle.[15][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]

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Long, John H. (2006). "Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies". Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  4. Urbanek, Mae (1988). Wyoming Place Names. Missoula MT: Mountain Press Publ. Co. ISBN 0-87842-204-8.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  6. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  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. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  9. "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.
  10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. "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.
  12. "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.
  13. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Weston County, Wyoming
  14. Dave Leip's US Election Atlas; 2016 Presidential General Election Results – Weston County, WY (and earlier years)
  15. Contact Institutions. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  16. Newcastle city, Wyoming. US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  17. About the Department of Corrections. Wyoming Department of Corrections. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
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