Cowley is a town in Big Horn County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 762 at the 2020 census. The group met with William Cody who was building an irrigation canal to help find a site. In May 1900 the first group arrived. They started building the Sidon irrigation canal which was eventually completed in 1904. The community was named after Matthias F. Cowley, a leader in .
A school was built in 1901.
Geography
Cowley is at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 655 people, 229 households, and 169 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 250 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.4% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.
There were 229 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.2% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.41.
The median age in the town was 36.9 years. 31.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census
Arts and culture
Each July, Cowley hosts an annual celebration known locally as "Cowley Pioneer Day". It is held on the weekend closest to July 24, to commemorate the town's pioneer heritage. The celebration usually packs in a range of activities including a parade, pioneer heritage program, rodeo, dance, and town barbecue. Cowley's pioneer heritage is also remembered year-round in the Cowley Pioneer Museum, located on Main Street in Cowley, in the same building as the town hall.