Big Horn County: The most ‘Wyoming’ of all

The Wyoming Economic Analysis Division recently released a set of statistics on the state’s 23 counties. For those who enjoy numbers, the report offers plenty to digest. A closer look shows that Big Horn County may be the most authentically Wyoming of them all. (Largest cities in counties in parentheses.)

Just 42 percent of Big Horn County’s residents were born outside the state, the lowest rate in Wyoming. Compare that to Crook County (Sundance), where 74 percent of residents were born elsewhere.

Big Horn County also reflects Wyoming’s modest economic profile. Only 7.4 percent of households earn more than $200,000 a year, the lowest in the state. In contrast, Teton County (Jackson) tops the list, with 26.4 percent in that high-income bracket.

Land ownership further defines Big Horn County. The Bureau of Land Management oversees 57.5 percent of the county’s land, third highest in Wyoming. Sweetwater County (Rock Springs) leads with 65.4 percent, while Teton County has almost none (0.1 percent). Looking at overall federal control, Big Horn County again ranks third, with 77 percent of its land under U.S. government management. Teton County is highest at 91.9 percent, and Laramie County (Cheyenne) is lowest at just 1 percent.

Employment patterns also stand out. Big Horn County ranks third statewide for the share of residents working in local government, a category that includes schools and hospitals. Niobrara County (Lusk) ranks first, while Albany County (Laramie) is last. In agriculture jobs, Big Horn is fourth, trailing Platte County (Wheatland). In mining, it ranks sixth behind Campbell County (Gillette) at the top.

When it comes to health, Big Horn sits near the middle, ranking 14th for obesity. Weston County (Newcastle) records the highest rate of obesity at 42 percent, while Teton County is lowest at 13 percent.

Daily life shows other quirks. The average Big Horn County commute is 18.5 miles, putting it 10th in the state. Weston County residents drive the farthest (27 miles), while Washakie County (Worland) has the shortest commute at 12.7 miles.

A few more numbers: 10.2 percent of Big Horn households have no internet access. Meanwhile, 12.8 percent of residents reported binge drinking (five or more drinks in one day) in the past month, ranking 17th statewide. Albany County (Laramie) was highest at 24 percent binge drinking, while Uinta County (Evanston) was lowest at 11 percent.

A surprising entry was that Big Horn County has the most residents who were born outside the U.S. but to American citizens, likely families working or serving abroad. Almost 2 percent of county residents fall into this category.

Big Horn County drivers average 14,647 miles on the road every year, ranking 15th in Wyoming. Carbon County (Rawlins) drivers average 43,995 miles per year, the most in the state, while Sheridan County drivers average only 9,120 miles per year.

Attached is a revealing chart showing how many Big Horn County residents travel to distant counties for work. The question is: How we can create jobs so people can live and work here at home?

Together, these statistics paint a clear picture: Big Horn County is a place of deep roots, modest incomes, federal lands and hardworking communities, living up to its reputation as the most “Wyoming” county of them all.