Johnson County, Wyoming

Johnson County, Wyoming
Location in the state of Wyoming
Wyoming's location in the U.S.
Founded	1875
Seat	Buffalo
Largest city	Buffalo
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	4,175 sq mi (10,813 km²) 4,167 sq mi (10,792 km²) 8 sq mi (21 km²), 0.20%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	8,569 2/sq mi (0.79/km²)
Website	www.johnsoncountywyoming.org

Johnson County is a county located in the north central part of the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,569. Johnson County lies to the southeast of the Bighorn mountains along Interstate 25 and Interstate 90. Buffalo is the county seat. Kaycee is the only other incorporated town in the county. The Powder River flows northward through eastern Johnson County.

History

Johnson County was created on December 8, 1875 as Pease County from parts of Albany, Carbon, and Sweetwater Counties. The county was originally named for Dr. E.L. Pease of Uinta County, . In 1879, the county was renamed Johnson, for E.P. Johnson, a Cheyenne attorney.

In 1888, Sheridan County was created from a portion of Johnson County. In 1890, Big Horn County was created from Johnson County along with land from Fremont County and Sheridan County. In 1911, the boundaries of Johnson County and adjacent Crook, Natrona and Weston Counties were adjusted to run along federal land survey lines.

In April, 1892, Johnson County was the scene of the Johnson County War, a range war between large cattle outfits and small stockgrowers (allegedly rustlers).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,175 square miles (10,813.2 km²), of which 4,166 square miles (10,789.9 km²) is land and 8 square miles (20.7 km²) (0.20%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Sheridan County (north)
• Campbell County (east)
• Converse County (southeast)
• Natrona County (south)
• Washakie County (west)
• Big Horn County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• Interstate 25
• U.S. Highway 16
• U.S. Highway 87
• ‎ Wyoming Highway 193
• ‎ Wyoming Highway 196
• ‎ Wyoming Highway 192
• ‎ Wyoming Highway 387

National protected area

• Bighorn National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	637		—
1890	2,357		270.0%
1900	2,361		0.2%
1910	3,453		46.3%
1920	4,617		33.7%
1930	4,816		4.3%
1940	4,980		3.4%
1950	4,707		−5.5%
1960	5,475		16.3%
1970	5,587		2.0%
1980	6,700		19.9%
1990	6,145		−8.3%
2000	7,075		15.1%
2010	8,569		21.1%

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,075 people, 2,959 households, and 2,006 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 3,503 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.03% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.55% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 2.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.0% were of German, 15.2% English, 10.8% Irish and 7.9% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,959 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 28.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,012, and the median income for a family was $42,299. Males had a median income of $29,271 versus $20,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,030. About 7.20% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Wyoming Department of Health Veteran's Home of Wyoming, an assisted living facility for veterans and their dependents, is located in Buffalo. 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.

Communities

City

• Buffalo

Town

• Kaycee

Other communities

• Linch
• Saddlestring

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Johnson County, Wyoming

External links

• Buffalo, Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Website
• National Register of Historic Places listing for Johnson Co., Wyoming