Carbon County, Wyoming
Encyclopedia
Carbon County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Wyoming
. As of 2010, the population was 15,885. Its county seat
is Rawlins
.
Originally about 3400 square miles (8,806 km²) in the center of Carbon County were once part of the Spanish Empire
, then part of the Republic of Texas
(1835-1845) and part of the State of Texas until 1852 when the northern most part of that state was ceded to the U.S. government. This area is defined by the 42nd parallel on the north, and straight lines south from there to the headwaters of the Arkansas river on the east and the headwaters of the Rio Grande on the west. The documents defining that area include the Adams-Onís Treaty
of 1819, the 1824 Constitution of Mexico
, and the 1845 "Joint Resolution for the Admission of the State of Texas into the Union".
Carbon County was organized December 16, 1868, from Laramie County
in Dakota Territory
, which at the time had jurisdiction over part of modern-day Wyoming. It became a county in Wyoming Territory
when that territory's government was formally organized on May 19, 1869.
In 1868, the Union Pacific Railroad
opened the first coal mine in Carbon County, and the county was named for its extensive coal deposits. In 1875, Carbon County lost territory when Johnson County was created by the legislature of the Wyoming Territory
. Natrona County was created with land ceded by Carbon County in 1888. The boundaries of the county were final at that time except for minor adjustments in 1911.
From 1978-1982, Carbon County was represented in the Wyoming House of Representatives
by Democrat
Thomas E. Trowbridge
(1930-2009) of Saratoga
, a Nebraska
native. From 1982-1986, Trowbridge was a member of the Wyoming State Senate. He was later appointed by Governor Mike Sullivan to the Wyoming State Board of Equalization. Trowbridge's father, Elton Trowbridge
, held the state House seat from Carbon County from 1961 until his death in office in 1974.
George R. Salisbury, Jr.
, a rancher from Savery
, represented Carbon County in the Wyoming House from 1975-1986. He was succeeded in office by his son-in-law and fellow Democrat, Patrick F. O'Toole, also a Savery rancher.
, the county has a total area of 7964 square miles (20,626.7 km²), of which 7896 square miles (20,450.5 km²) is land and 68 square miles (176.1 km²) (0.85%) is water.
National protected area
of 2000, there were 15,639 people, 6,129 households, and 4,130 families residing in the county. The population density
was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 8,307 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.11% White
, 0.67% Black
or African American
, 1.27% Native American
, 0.67% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 5.17% from other races
, and 2.05% from two or more races. 13.83% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 20.1% were of German, 11.8% English
, 10.0% Irish
and 8.9% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 6,129 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples
living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. Of 6,129 households, 364 were unmarried partner households: 318 heterosexual, 41 same-sex male, and 5 same-sex female.
27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 115.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,060, and the median income for a family was $41,991. Males had a median income of $31,603 versus $21,451 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,375. About 9.80% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
. 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.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. As of 2010, the population was 15,885. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Rawlins
Rawlins, Wyoming
Rawlins is a city in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,538 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County...
.
History
Carbon County was organized in 1868.Originally about 3400 square miles (8,806 km²) in the center of Carbon County were once part of the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
, then part of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
(1835-1845) and part of the State of Texas until 1852 when the northern most part of that state was ceded to the U.S. government. This area is defined by the 42nd parallel on the north, and straight lines south from there to the headwaters of the Arkansas river on the east and the headwaters of the Rio Grande on the west. The documents defining that area include the Adams-Onís Treaty
Adams-Onís Treaty
The Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty or the Purchase of Florida, was a treaty between the United States and Spain in 1819 that gave Florida to the U.S. and set out a boundary between the U.S. and New Spain . It settled a standing border dispute between the two...
of 1819, the 1824 Constitution of Mexico
1824 Constitution of Mexico
The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was enacted on October 4 of 1824, after the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide. In the new constitution, the republic took the name of United Mexican States, and was defined as a representative federal republic, with...
, and the 1845 "Joint Resolution for the Admission of the State of Texas into the Union".
Carbon County was organized December 16, 1868, from Laramie County
Laramie County, Wyoming
Laramie County is the most populous of the 23 counties of the U.S. state of Wyoming. The county is located in the southeastern corner of the state. The county's population was 91,738 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Cheyenne, the state capital...
in Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
, which at the time had jurisdiction over part of modern-day Wyoming. It became a county in Wyoming Territory
Wyoming Territory
The Territory of Wyoming was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 25, 1868, until July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Wyoming. Cheyenne was the territorial capital...
when that territory's government was formally organized on May 19, 1869.
In 1868, the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
opened the first coal mine in Carbon County, and the county was named for its extensive coal deposits. In 1875, Carbon County lost territory when Johnson County was created by the legislature of the Wyoming Territory
Wyoming Territory
The Territory of Wyoming was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 25, 1868, until July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Wyoming. Cheyenne was the territorial capital...
. Natrona County was created with land ceded by Carbon County in 1888. The boundaries of the county were final at that time except for minor adjustments in 1911.
From 1978-1982, Carbon County was represented in the Wyoming House of Representatives
Wyoming House of Representatives
The Wyoming House of Representatives is the lower house of the Wyoming State Legislature. There are 60 Representatives in the House, representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state, each with a population of at least 9,000. The House convenes at the Wyoming...
by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Thomas E. Trowbridge
Thomas E. Trowbridge
Thomas E. Trowbridge, known as Tom Trowbridge , originally a dairy farmer from Carbon County, Wyoming, served as a Democrat in both houses of the Wyoming State Legislature from 1979 to 1986. He was a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives for two two-year terms, and he served a single...
(1930-2009) of Saratoga
Saratoga, Wyoming
Saratoga is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,736 at the 2000 census.Saratoga is the home of the Steinley Cup microbrew competition, usually held in August at Veterans Island Park, a playground and picnic facility located on a small island in the North Platte...
, a Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
native. From 1982-1986, Trowbridge was a member of the Wyoming State Senate. He was later appointed by Governor Mike Sullivan to the Wyoming State Board of Equalization. Trowbridge's father, Elton Trowbridge
Elton Trowbridge
Elton F. Trowbridge was a dairy farmer from Carbon County, Wyoming, who served as a Democrat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1961 until his death during his seventh consecutive two-year term....
, held the state House seat from Carbon County from 1961 until his death in office in 1974.
George R. Salisbury, Jr.
George R. Salisbury, Jr.
George Ralph Salisbury, Jr. , was the patriarch of the Ladder Ranch, a cattle and sheep operation in Carbon County in southern Wyoming, and a Democratic member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1975 to 1986...
, a rancher from Savery
Savery, Wyoming
Savery is an unincorporated community in southeastern Carbon County, Wyoming, United States, on the upper Little Snake River. It lies along WYO 70 south of the city of Rawlins, the county seat of Carbon County. Its elevation is 6,473 feet...
, represented Carbon County in the Wyoming House from 1975-1986. He was succeeded in office by his son-in-law and fellow Democrat, Patrick F. O'Toole, also a Savery rancher.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 7964 square miles (20,626.7 km²), of which 7896 square miles (20,450.5 km²) is land and 68 square miles (176.1 km²) (0.85%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Sweetwater County, Wyoming - west
- Fremont County, Wyoming - northwest
- Natrona County, Wyoming - north
- Converse County, Wyoming - northeast
- Albany County, Wyoming - east
- Jackson County, ColoradoJackson County, ColoradoJackson County is the fourth-least densely populated of the Colorado 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. The county population was 1,577 at the 2000 Census. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Walden.- History :...
- southeast - Routt County, ColoradoRoutt County, ColoradoRoutt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :...
- south - Moffat County, ColoradoMoffat County, ColoradoMoffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :...
- southwest
National protected areaProtected areaProtected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s
- Medicine Bow National Forest (part)
- Pathfinder National Wildlife RefugePathfinder National Wildlife RefugePathfinder National Wildlife Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Wyoming and includes 16,807 acres . The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, both agencies within the U.S. Department of the Interior...
(part)
Major Highways
Interstate 80
U.S. Highway 30
U.S. Highway 287
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,639 people, 6,129 households, and 4,130 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 8,307 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.11% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.67% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.67% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.05% from two or more races. 13.83% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 20.1% were of German, 11.8% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 10.0% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 8.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 6,129 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. Of 6,129 households, 364 were unmarried partner households: 318 heterosexual, 41 same-sex male, and 5 same-sex female.
27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 115.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,060, and the median income for a family was $41,991. Males had a median income of $31,603 versus $21,451 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,375. About 9.80% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Wyoming State Penitentiary, operated by the Wyoming Department of Corrections, is located in RawlinsRawlins, Wyoming
Rawlins is a city in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,538 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County...
. The facility was operated by the Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform
Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform
The Wyoming Board of Charities and Reform was a state agency of Wyoming that operated the state's charitable and penal institutions.-History:...
until that agency was dissolved as a result of a state constitutional amendment passed in November 1990.
Towns
|
Grand Encampment, Wyoming Grand Encampment is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 443 at the 2000 census.-History:Known also as "Encampment", this town along the Colorado-Wyoming border was, at the turn of the twentieth century, a booming center of copper mining and smelting... Hanna, Wyoming Hanna is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 873 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hanna is located at .... Medicine Bow, Wyoming Medicine Bow is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 304 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Medicine Bow is located at .... |
Riverside, Wyoming Riverside is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 59 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riverside is located at .... Saratoga, Wyoming Saratoga is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,736 at the 2000 census.Saratoga is the home of the Steinley Cup microbrew competition, usually held in August at Veterans Island Park, a playground and picnic facility located on a small island in the North Platte... Sinclair, Wyoming Sinclair is a town in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The town was originally called Parco, after the Producers & Refiners Corporation which founded the refinery and the company town. It was renamed Sinclair after PARCO was acquired during the Great Depression by Sinclair Consolidated Oil... |
Other communities
- ArlingtonArlington, WyomingArlington is an unincorporated community in southeastern Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. It lies at the intersection of Interstate 80 and WYO 13, northwest of Laramie and east of the city of Rawlins, the county seat of Carbon County...
- Ryan ParkRyan Park, WyomingRyan Park is an unincorporated place in Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. The name was collected by the United States Geological Survey between 1976 and 1979, and entered into the Geographic Names Information System on June 5, 1979...
- SaverySavery, WyomingSavery is an unincorporated community in southeastern Carbon County, Wyoming, United States, on the upper Little Snake River. It lies along WYO 70 south of the city of Rawlins, the county seat of Carbon County. Its elevation is 6,473 feet...
- WalcottWalcott, WyomingWalcott is an unincorporated community in central Carbon County, Wyoming, United States. It lies along local roads near Interstate 80 and the concurrent U.S. Routes 30 and 287, east of the city of Rawlins, the county seat of Carbon County. Its elevation is 6,627 feet...
Further reading
- Bartos, T.T. et al. (2006). Water resources of Carbon County, Wyoming [Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5027]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Hettinger, R.D. and J.G. Honey. (2006). Geologic map and coal stratigraphy of the Doty Mountain quadrangle, eastern Washakie Basin, Carbon County, Wyoming [Scientific Investigations Map 2925]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.