Wyoming Totally Explained

The State of Wyoming is a state in the western region of the United States of America. The easternmost section of the state is a region known as the High Plains due to its altitude above sea level, while the majority of the state is dominated by the mountain ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountain West. Wyoming is the least populous U.S. state. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the state population was 515,004 in 2006, a 4.3% increase since 2000. The capital and the most populous city of Wyoming is Cheyenne. Residents of Wyoming are known as Wyomingites.

Geography

Wyoming is bordered on the north by Montana, on the east by South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado, on the southwest by Utah, and on the west by Idaho. It is the tenth largest state in the United States in total area, containing 97,818 square miles (253,348 km²) and is made up of 23 counties. From the north border to the south border it's 276 miles (444 km); and from the east to the west border is 375 miles (603 km).
   The Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. The state is a great plateau broken by a number of mountain ranges. In the northwest are the Absaroka, Owl Creek, Gros Ventre, Wind River and the Teton ranges. In the north central are the Big Horn Mountains; in the northeast, the Black Hills; and in the southern region the Laramie, Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges.
   Wyoming is an arid state with much of the land receiving less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall per year. Consequently, the land supports few opportunities for farming. Ranching is widespread, especially in areas near the numerous mountain chains. The Snowy Range in the south central part of the state is an extension of the Colorado Rockies in both geology and appearance. The Wind River Range in the west central part of the state is remote and includes Gannett Peak, the highest peak in the state. The Big Horn Mountains in the north central portion are somewhat isolated from the bulk of the Rocky Mountains.
   The Teton Range in the northwest extends for 50 miles (80 km) and represents the most impressive section of mountains in the state. It is home to Grand Teton, the second highest peak in Wyoming, and to Grand Teton National Park, which preserves the most scenic section of the Teton range.
   Several rivers begin or flow through the state, including the Yellowstone River, Powder River, Green River, and the Snake River.
   The Continental Divide forks in the south central part of the state. The waters that flow or precipitate into this area, known as the Great Divide Basin, don't flow to any ocean. Instead, because of the overall aridity of Wyoming, they simply sink into the soil or evaporate. Rivers east of the Divide drain into the Missouri River Basin and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. They are the Platte, Wind, Big Horn and the Yellowstone rivers. The Snake River in northwest Wyoming eventually drains into the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, as does the Green River through the Colorado River Basin.

Population

The center of population of Wyoming is located in Natrona County. (External Link

).
As of 2005, Wyoming has an estimated population of 509,294, which is an increase of 3,407, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 15,512, or 3.1%, since the 2000 census. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 12,165 people (that is 33,704 births minus 21,539 deaths) and an increase from net migration of 4,035 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 2,264 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 1,771 people. In 2004, the foreign-born population was 11,000 (2.2%). In 2005, total births in Wyoming numbered 7,231 (Birth Rate of 14.04). (External Link

) Wyoming is the least populous of any state (or the District of Columbia) and has the lowest population density of the continental 48 states (Alaska's population density is lower although its total population is higher).

The largest ancestry groups in Wyoming are: German (25.9%), English (15.9%), Irish (13.3%), American (6.5%), Norwegian (4.3%), Swedish (3.5%)

Religion

The religious affiliations of the people of Wyoming are shown in the table below:

Christian – 78%

Protestant – 53%
- Lutheran – 8%
- Baptist – 8%
- Methodist – 6%
- Presbyterian – 4%
- Episcopal – 4%
- Other Protestant or general Protestant – 21%
Roman Catholic – 16%
LDS (Mormon) – 11%

Jewish – .1%

Other Religions – 1%

Non-Religious – 20.9%

Economy

According to the 2005 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Wyoming’s gross state product was $27.4 billion. Wyoming’s unemployment rate for 2006 was approximately 3.3%, which is lower than the national average of 4.6%. Components of Wyoming's economy differ significantly from those of other states. The mineral extraction industry and the travel and tourism sector are the main drivers behind Wyoming’s economy. The Federal government owns 50% of its landmass, while 6% is controlled by the state. Total taxable values of mining production in Wyoming for 2001 was over $6.7 billion. The tourism industry accounts for over $2 billion in revenue for the state.
In 2002, over six million people visited Wyoming’s national parks and monuments. The key tourist attractions in Wyoming include Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Devil’s Tower National Monument, and Fossil Butte National Monument. Each year Yellowstone National Park receives three million visitors.
Historically, agriculture has been an important component of Wyoming’s economic identity. Its overall importance to the performance of Wyoming’s economy has waned. However, it's still an essential part of Wyoming’s culture and lifestyle. The main agricultural commodities produced in Wyoming include livestock (beef), hay, sugar beets, grain (wheat and barley), and wool. Over 91% of land in Wyoming is classified as rural.

Mineral production

Wyoming’s mineral commodities include coal, natural gas, coalbed methane, crude oil, uranium, and trona. Wyoming ranks highest in mining employment in the U.S. In fiscal year 2002, Wyoming collected over $48 million in sales taxes from the mining industry.

Coal: Wyoming produced 395.5 million short tons (358.8 tonnes) of coal in 2004. The state is the number one producer of coal in the U.S. Wyoming possesses a reserve of 68.7 billion tons (62.3 billion tonnes) of coal. Major coal areas include the Powder River Basin and the Green River Basin

Natural Gas: In 2004, natural gas production was 1,929 billion cubic feet (54.6 billion m3). Wyoming ranks 5th nationwide for natural gas production. The major markets for natural gas include industrial, commercial, and domestic heating.

Coal Bed Methane (CBM): The boom for CBM began in the mid-1990s. CBM is characterized as methane gas that's extracted from Wyoming’s coal bed seams. It is another means of natural gas production. There has been substantial CBM production the Powder River Basin. In 2002, the CBM production yield was 327.5 billion cubic feet (9.3 billion m3).

Crude Oil: Production of Wyoming crude oil in 2004 was 51.7 million barrels. The state is ranked 7th among producers of oil in the U.S. Petroleum is most often used as a motor fuel, but it's also utilized in the manufacture of plastics, paints, and synthetic rubber.

Trona: Wyoming possesses the largest known reserve of trona in the world. Trona is used for manufacturing glass, paper, soaps, baking soda, water softeners, and pharmaceuticals. In 2002 Wyoming produced 17.3 million short tons (15.7 million tonnes) of trona.

Uranium: Although Uranium mining in Wyoming is much less active than it was in previous decades, recent increases in the price of uranium have generated new interest in uranium prospecting and mining.

Taxes

Unlike most other states, Wyoming doesn't levy an individual or corporate income tax. In addition, Wyoming doesn't assess any tax on retirement income earned and received from another state. Wyoming has a state sales tax of 4%. Counties have the option of collecting an additional 1% tax for general revenue and a 2% tax for specific purposes, if approved by voters. There also is a county lodging tax that varies from 2% to 5%. The state collects a use tax of 5% on items purchased elsewhere and brought into Wyoming. All property tax is based on the assessed value of the property and Wyoming's Department of Revenue's Ad Valorem Tax Division supports, trains, and guides local government agencies in the uniform assessment, valuation and taxation of locally assessed property. "Assessed value" means taxable value; "taxable value" means a percent of the fair market value of property in a particular class. Statutes limit property tax increases. For county revenue, the property tax rate can't exceed 12 mills (or 1.2%) of assessed value. For cities and towns, the rate is limited to 8 mills (0.8%). With very few exceptions, state law limits the property tax rate for all governmental purposes. Personal property held for personal use is tax-exempt. Inventory if held for resale, pollution control equipment, cash, accounts receivable, stocks and bonds are also exempt. Other exemptions include property used for religious, educational, charitable, fraternal, benevolent and government purposes and improvements for handicapped access. Minerals are exempt from property tax but companies must pay a gross products tax and a severance tax when produced. Underground mining equipment is tax exempt.
Wyoming doesn't collect inheritance taxes. Because of the phase-out of the federal estate tax credit, Wyoming's estate tax isn't imposed on estates of persons who died in 2005. There is limited estate tax related to federal estate tax collection.

Transportation

Three interstate highways and seven U.S. highways pass through Wyoming. In addition, the state is served by the Wyoming state highway system. Interstate 25 enters the state south of Cheyenne and runs north, crossing Interstate 80 in Cheyenne. It passes through Casper and ends at Interstate 90 near Buffalo. Interstate 80 crosses the Utah border west of Evanston and runs east through the southern half of the state, passing through Cheyenne before entering Nebraska near Pine Bluffs. Interstate 90 comes into Wyoming near Parkman and cuts through the northern part of the state. It serves Gillette and enters South Dakota east of Sundance.
The U.S. highways that pass through the state are:

U.S. Route 287

Law and government

Wyoming law establishes three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
   The current governor is Dave Freudenthal (Democrat). The current U.S. Congressional delegation includes Sen. Mike Enzi (Republican), Sen. John Barrasso (Republican) and Rep. at-large Barbara Cubin (Republican).
   Because of its low population, Wyoming only has 3 votes in the electoral college. It is also due to this low population that individuals in Wyoming technically have a more powerful vote in presidential elections than anyone else in the United States. For example, while Montana had a 2000 census population of 902,195 to Wyoming's 493,782, they both have the same number of electoral votes.
   Wyoming is an alcoholic beverage control state.

Judicial System

Wyoming's highest court is the Supreme Court of Wyoming, with five justices presiding over appeals from the state's lower courts. Wyoming is unique in that it doesn't have an intermediate appellate court, like most states. This is largely attributable to the state's size and correspondingly lower caseload. Appeals from the state district courts go directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Wyoming also has state circuit courts (formerly county courts), of limited jurisdiction, which handle certain types of cases, such as civil claims with lower dollar amounts, misdemeanor criminal offenses, and felony arraignments. Circuit court judges also commonly hear small claims cases as well. All state court judges in Wyoming are nominated by the Judicial Nominating Commission and appointed by the Governor. They are then subject to a retention vote by the electorate.

Politics

Wyoming is predominantly conservative and politically Republican. The state hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since 1964, and there are only two reliably Democratic counties. In the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush won his second-largest victory, with 69% of the vote. Current Vice President Dick Cheney is a Wyoming resident and represented the state in Congress from 1979 to 1989. However, after his term, he resided primarily in Texas, a fact that drew mild criticism from his political opponents when he changed his voter registration back to Wyoming prior to joining George W. Bush's ticket in the 2000 Presidential election.
Despite Wyoming's clear preference for Republicans in national offices, Democrats have held the governorship for all but eight years since 1975. Governor Dave Freudenthal was elected in 2002 and has one of the highest approval ratings of any governor in the USA. Wyoming in 2006 reelected incumbent Republican Congresswoman Barbara Cubin by just over 1,200 votes.

Counties

The State of Wyoming has 23 counties. Wyoming Counties Ranked By 2005 Population>

Rank	County	Population
1	Laramie County	85,163	13	Converse County	12,766
2	Natrona County	69,799	14	Goshen County	12,243
3	Sweetwater County	37,975	15	Big Horn County	11,333
4	Campbell County	37,405	16	Platte County	8,619
5	Fremont County	36,491	17	Washakie County	7,933
6	Albany County	30,890	18	Johnson County	7,721
7	Sheridan County	27,389	19	Sublette County	6,926
8	Park County	26,664	20	Weston County	6,671
9	Uinta County	19,939	21	Crook County	6,182
10	Teton County	19,032	22	Hot Springs County	4,537
11	Lincoln County	15,999	23	Niobrara County	2,286
12	Carbon County	15,331	Wyoming Total		509,294

In 2005, 52.4% of Wyomingites lived in one of the 5 most populous Wyoming counties.
Wyoming license plates contain a number on the left that indicates which county the vehicle is from. The county license plate numbers are as follows:

# on License Plate	County
1	Natrona
2	Laramie
3	Sheridan
4	Sweetwater
5	Albany
6	Carbon
7	Goshen
8	Platte
9	Big Horn
10	Fremont
11	Park
12	Lincoln
13	Converse
14	Niobrara
15	Hot Springs
16	Johnson
17	Campbell
18	Crook
19	Uinta
20	Washakie
21	Weston
22	Teton
23	Sublette

Cities & Towns

The State of Wyoming has 98 incorporated municipalities. The 20 Most Populous Wyoming Cities and Towns>

Rank	City	County	Population
1	City of Cheyenne	Laramie County	55,731
2	City of Casper	Natrona County	51,738
3	City of Laramie	Albany County	26,050
4	City of Gillette	Campbell County	22,685
5	City of Rock Springs	Sweetwater County	18,772
6	City of Sheridan	Sheridan County	16,333
7	City of Green River	Sweetwater County	11,787
8	City of Evanston	Uinta County	11,459
9	City of Riverton	Fremont County	9,430
10	City of Cody	Park County	9,100
11	Town of Jackson	Teton County	9,038
12	City of Rawlins	Carbon County	8,658
13	City of Lander	Fremont County	6,898
14	City of Douglas	Converse County	5,581
15	City of Torrington	Goshen County	5,533
16	City of Powell	Park County	5,288
17	City of Worland	Washakie County	4,967
18	City of Buffalo	Johnson County	4,290
19	Town of Wheatland	Platte County	3,464
20	City of Newcastle	Weston County	3,221

In 2005, 50.6% of Wyomingites lived in one of the 13 most populous Wyoming municipalities.

Metropolitan Areas

The United States Census Bureau has defined two Metropolitan Statistical Areas and seven Micropolitan Statistical Areas for the State of Wyoming. U.S. Census Bureau Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas of Wyoming>

Census Area	County	Population
Cheyenne, WY, Metropolitan Statistical Area	Laramie County, Wyoming	85,163
Casper, WY, Metropolitan Statistical Area	Natrona County, Wyoming	69,799
Rock Springs, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Sweetwater County, Wyoming	37,975
Gillette, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Campbell County, Wyoming	37,405
Riverton, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Fremont County, Wyoming	36,491
Laramie, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Albany County, Wyoming	30,890
Sheridan, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Sheridan County, Wyoming	27,389
Jackson, WY-ID, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Teton County, Wyoming	19,032
	Teton County, Idaho	7,467
	Total	26,499
Evanston, WY, Micropolitan Statistical Area	Uinta County, Wyoming	19,939

In 2005, 30.4% of Wyomingites lived in either of the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and 73% lived in either a Metropolitan Statistical Area or a Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Education

Public education is directed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, an elected state official. Educational policies are set by the State Board of Education, a nine-member board appointed by the governor. The constitution prohibits the state from establishing curriculum and text book selections; these are the prerogatives of local school boards.
The Wyoming School for the Deaf in Casper, operated by the State Department of Education, serves approximately 44 students either at the Deaf School or in public schools of the state. Many students attending the school in Casper are residents of other communities who are housed in private residences in Casper during the school year.
Wyoming was also notable in being the only one of the United States to have only one four-year college, the University of Wyoming. However the Wyoming Catholic College was founded in 2007 in Lander, Wyoming.

Sports

Casper Rockies, minor league baseball

Wyoming Cavalry, National Indoor Football League

University of Wyoming, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, and many more

Miscellaneous information

USS Wyoming was named in honor of this state.

State symbols

� Nickname: Big Wonderful Wyoming, Equality State, Cowboy State

   State motto: "Equal Rights" � State flower: Indian Paintbrush

   State mammal: Bison � State bird: Western Meadowlark

   State tree: Plains Cottonwood � State gemstone: Jade

   State fish: Cutthroat Trout � State reptile: Horned Toad

   State Fossil: Knightia � State dinosaur: Triceratops

   State coin: Golden Dollar � State Song: Wyoming by Charles E. Winter & George E. Knapp

   State Mythical Creature: Jackalope � State Grass: Western Wheatgrass

   State Soil: Forkwood

External results

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