Goshen County, Wyoming

Goshen County (, ) is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 12,498. Its county seat is Torrington. The eastern boundary of the County borders the Nebraska state line. Goshen County produces more beef cattle than any other Wyoming county. In 1997, the county had a total of 688 farms and ranches, averaging 1,840 acres. As of 2007, this had declined slightly to 665 farms and ranches in the county.

History

Goshen County was created in 1911 from a portion of Laramie County. Its government was organized in 1913. This area was part of territories, at one time or another, claimed by: Spain, France, Great Britain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 permanently established the claim of the United States to the area. At least four conflicting stories are available for the origin of the name "Goshen Hole". The Land of Goshen in Egypt, mentioned in the 45th chapter of the Genesis in the Bible, has been suggested as the most likely. John Hunton, who was ranching in the area by the 1870s, was told by Seth Ward, the post sutler at Fort Laramie, that the area was named for the Biblical land. The name of Goshen Hole first appeared on a map years later, in 1888. The county is situated in the High Plains east of the Rocky Mountains.

Adjacent counties

Niobrara County - north
Platte County - west
Laramie County - south
Banner County, Nebraska - southeast
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska - east
Sioux County, Nebraska - east

National protected area

Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Climate

thumb|Dry stream on [[North Platte River in Goshen County during May 2002 drought conditions.]]

Situated on the North Platte River, Goshen County has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification 'BSk'.)

On June 5, 2009, a weather research team known as VORTEX2 observed and measured the full life cycle of a tornado in eastern Goshen County.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,498. Of the residents, 19.9% were under the age of 18 and 24.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females there were 109.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 110.1 males.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Goshen County, Wyoming – Racial and ethnic composition

!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)

!Pop 2000

!Pop 2010

!% 2000

!% 2010

|White alone (NH)

|11,172

|11,651

|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,695

|89.11%

|87.94%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |85.57%

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|25

|70

|style='background: #ffffe6; |76

|0.20%

|0.53%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.61%

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|93

|91

|style='background: #ffffe6; |83

|0.74%

|0.69%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.66%

|Asian alone (NH)

|25

|32

|style='background: #ffffe6; |46

|0.20%

|0.24%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.37%

|Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|15

|10

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0

|0.12%

|0.08%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%

|Other race alone (NH)

|style='background: #ffffe6; |42

|0.05%

|0.02%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34%

|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|95

|104

|style='background: #ffffe6; |344

|0.76%

|0.78%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.75%

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|1,107

|1,288

|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,212

|8.83%

|9.72%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.70%

|Total

|12,538

|13,249

|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,498

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 3.6% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.7% of the population. The population density was . There were 5,972 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 94.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.7% of the population.

Of the 5,311 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 43.6 years.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, of 2000, there were 12,538 people, 5,061 households, and 3,426 families in the county. The population density was . There were 5,881 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 93.83% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.86% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 8.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.2% were of German, 10.4% English, 8.0% American and 8.0% Irish ancestry.

There were 5,061 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.

The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,228, and the median income for a family was $40,297. Males had a median income of $27,713 versus $17,584 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,965. About 9.70% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Torrington (county seat)

Towns

Fort Laramie
LaGrange
Lingle
Yoder

Census-designated places

Hawk Springs
Huntley
Veteran

Unincorporated communities

Jay Em
Rockeagle

Government and infrastructure

The Goshen County Fairgrounds are west of Torrington on U.S. Hwy 26/85. The fairground facilities host many events throughout the year, including an annual Goshen County Fair and numerous rodeo events.

The Wyoming Department of Corrections Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) is located east of Torrington on County Road 72 (Sheep Creek Rd.) The WMCI, a facility of the Wyoming Department of Corrections, serves as an intake center for men not serving death sentences. The grand opening occurred on January 6, 2010.

Goshen County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. Since 1936, in only one national election did they select the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

Transportation

Highways

U.S. Highways

State Routes

(Huntley Road)
(LaGrange Road)
(Yoder Road)
(Springer Reservoir Road)
(Veteran Road)
(Sugar Factory Road)
(Horse Creek Road)
(Van Tassell Road)
(Old Fort Laramie Road)
(Yoder-Huntley Road)
(Chugwater Road)