Editing Albany County, Wyoming

{{Short description|County in Wyoming, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county        = Albany County
 | state               = Wyoming
 | flag                 = Flag of Albany County, Wyoming.gif
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1868
 | founded date    = December 16
 | seat wl             = Laramie
 | largest city wl     = Laramie
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 4309
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 4274
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 35
 | area percentage      = 0.8
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 37066
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 39288 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone          = Mountain
 | web     = www.co.albany.wy.us
 | ex image             = LARAMIE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT, ALBANY COUNTY,WYOMING.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Albany County Courthouse
 | district           = At-large
 | named for            = [[Albany, New York]] |logo=AlbanyCountyWYlogo.png}}

'''Albany County''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Albany.ogg|ˈ|ɔː|l|b|ə|n|i}} {{Respell|AWL|bə|nee}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wyoming]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 37,066.<ref name=QF>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Albany County, Wyoming |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/albanycountywyoming |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Laramie, Wyoming|Laramie]],<ref name="naco">{{cite web|url=https://ce.naco.org/?county_info=56001|access-date=May 17, 2025|title=NACo County Explorer|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> the site of the [[University of Wyoming]]. Its southern border lies on the northern [[Colorado]] state line. Albany County comprises the Laramie, WY [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. It is the fifth-most populous county in Wyoming.

==History==
Albany County was organized in 1868 of territory annexed from [[Laramie County, Wyoming|Laramie County]] in [[Dakota Territory]], which at the time had jurisdiction over part of modern-day Wyoming.<ref>{{Google books|Sas4AAAAIAAJ|General Laws and Memorials and Resolutions of the Territory of Dakota, 1869}}</ref> It became a county in [[Wyoming Territory]] when its government was formally organized on May 19, 1869.<ref name=chronology>{{cite web|url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Wyoming/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies|title=Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies|access-date=September 5, 2011|last=Long|first=John H.|year=2006|work=Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718043802/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Wyoming/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Dakota_Territory/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies|title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies|access-date=January 31, 2008|last=Long|first=John H.|year=2006|work=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112115751/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Dakota_Territory/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|archive-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref>

Charles D. Bradley, a member of the legislature of the [[Dakota Territory]] named the county for [[Albany, New York]], the capital of his native state.<ref>{{cite book|last=Urbanek|first=Mae|title=Wyoming Place Names|publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Co.|location=Missoula MT|year=1988|isbn=0-87842-204-8}}</ref> In 1875, the [[Wyoming Territory|Wyoming Territorial legislature]] authorized portions of Albany County to be annexed to build [[Crook County, Wyoming|Crook]] and [[Johnson County, Wyoming|Johnson]] counties, and in 1888 land was taken from Albany County for the creation of [[Converse County, Wyoming|Converse County]]. Further adjustments were made to the county's boundary in 1911 and 1955.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|4309|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4274|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|35|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_56.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=August 5, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Converse County, Wyoming|Converse County]] – north
* [[Platte County, Wyoming|Platte County]] – northeast
* [[Laramie County, Wyoming|Laramie County]] – east
* [[Larimer County, Colorado]] – south
* [[Jackson County, Colorado]] – southwest
* [[Carbon County, Wyoming|Carbon County]] – west
* [[Natrona County, Wyoming|Natrona County]] – northwest
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[University of Wyoming Transit System]] (Roundup)
*[[Greyhound Lines]]

===Major highways===
* [[Image:I-80.svg|20px]]  [[Interstate 80 (Wyoming)|Interstate 80]]
*{{jct|state=WY|BL|80|dab1=Laramie}}
* [[Image:US 30.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 30 (Wyoming)|U.S. Highway 30]]
* [[Image:US 287.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 287 (Wyoming)|U.S. Highway 287]]
* [[Image:WY-10.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 10]]
* [[Image:WY-11.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 11]]
* [[Image:WY-12.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 12]]
* [[Image:WY-13.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 13]]
* [[Image:WY-34.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 34]]
* [[Image:WY-130.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 130]]
* [[Image:WY-210.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 210]]
* [[Image:WY-230.svg|20px]] [[Wyoming Highway 230]]

===National protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Medicine Bow National Forest]] (part)
* [[Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1870= 2021
|1880= 4626
|1890= 8865
|1900= 13084
|1910= 11574
|1920= 9283
|1930= 12041
|1940= 13946
|1950= 19055
|1960= 21290
|1970= 26431
|1980= 29062
|1990= 30797
|2000= 32014
|2010= 36299
|2020= 37066
|estyear=2024
|estimate=39288
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref><br/>1870–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eadiv.state.wy.us/demog_data/pop2000/cntycity_hist.htm|title=Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns|publisher=Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis|access-date=January 25, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name=QF/>
}}
[[File:wy albany morton pass1.jpg|thumb|Morton Pass (SR34)]]

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 32,014 people, 13,269 households and 7,006 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 15,215 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 91.32% [[Race (United States census)|White]], 1.11% [[Race (United States census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States census)|African American]], 0.95% [[Race (United States census)|Native American]], 1.7% [[Race (United States census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.65% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 2.22% from two or more races. 7.49% of the population were [[Race (United States census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States census)|Latino]] of any race. 24.4% were of [[German people|German]], 11.1% [[English people|English]], 10.2% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 6.1% [[United States|American]] ancestry.

There were 13,269 households, of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

The county population contained 18.4% of the population under the age of 18, 28.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.4 males.

The [[median household income]] was $28,790 and the median family income was $44,334. Males had a median income of $31,087 compared with $22,061 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,706. About 10.8% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 36,299 people, 15,691 households, and 7,430 families in the county.<ref name=DC>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US56001|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data|access-date=January 12, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034644/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US56001|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|8.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 17,939 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US56001|access-date=January 12, 2016|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190018/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US56001|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 90.1% white, 2.8% Asian, 1.2% black or African American, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.4% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.8% of the population.<ref name=DC/> In terms of ancestry, 31.2% were [[Germans|German]], 15.3% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.5% were [[English people|English]], and 4.4% were [[Americans|American]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US56001|title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=January 12, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033642/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US56001|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Of the 15,691 households, 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 52.6% were non-families, and 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 26.8 years.<ref name=DC/>

The median income for a household in the county was $42,890 and the median income for a family was $70,054. Males had a median income of $43,484 versus $33,512 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,622. About 7.2% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US56001|title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=January 12, 2016|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030429/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US56001|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:LINCOLN MONUMENT, ALBANY COUNTY.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Lincoln Monument near Laramie]]

===City===
* [[Laramie, Wyoming|Laramie]] (county seat)

===Town===
* [[Rock River, Wyoming|Rock River]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Barrett, Wyoming|Barrett]]
* [[Binford, Wyoming|Binford]]
* [[Bosler, Wyoming|Bosler]]
* [[Bosler Junction, Wyoming|Bosler Junction]]
* [[Buford, Wyoming|Buford]]
* [[Cooper Lake, Wyoming|Cooper Lake]]
* [[Dale Creek, Wyoming|Dale Creek]]
* [[Deerwood, Wyoming|Deerwood]]
* [[Garrett, Wyoming|Garrett]]
* [[Gramm, Wyoming|Gramm]]
* [[Harmony, Wyoming|Harmony]]
* [[Harper, Wyoming|Harper]]
* [[Hatton, Wyoming|Hatton]]
* [[Hermosa, Wyoming|Hermosa]]
* [[Keystone, Wyoming|Keystone]]
* Little Medicine
* [[Lookout, Wyoming|Lookout]]
* [[Millbrook, Wyoming|Millbrook]]
* [[Mountain Home, Wyoming|Mountain Home]]
* [[New Jelm, Wyoming|New Jelm]]
* [[PhinDeli Town Buford, Wyoming|PhinDeli]]
* [[Red Buttes, Wyoming|Red Buttes]]
* [[Sherman, Wyoming|Sherman]]
* [[The Buttes, Wyoming|The Buttes]]
* [[Tie Siding, Wyoming|Tie Siding]]
* [[Toltec, Wyoming|Toltec]]
* [[Wyocolo, Wyoming|Wyocolo]]
{{div col end}}

==Census-designated places==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Albany, Wyoming|Albany]]
* [[Centennial, Wyoming|Centennial]]
* [[Fox Park, Wyoming|Fox Park]]
* [[Woods Landing-Jelm, Wyoming|Woods Landing-Jelm]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
While Wyoming as a whole tends to be solidly Republican, Albany County is a swing county. It is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for [[Barack Obama]] in [[2008 United States presidential election in Wyoming|2008]], [[Mitt Romney]] in [[2012 United States presidential election in Wyoming|2012]], [[Donald Trump]] in [[2016 United States presidential election in Wyoming|2016]], and [[Joe Biden]] in [[2020 United States presidential election in Wyoming|2020]].{{efn|The other twelve are [[Butte County, California]]; [[Teton County, Idaho]]; [[Kent County, Maryland]]; [[Kendall County, Illinois]]; [[McLean County, Illinois]]; [[Tippecanoe County, Indiana]]; [[Kent County, Michigan]]; [[Leelanau County, Michigan]]; [[Carroll County, New Hampshire]]; [[Rockingham County, New Hampshire]]; [[Marion County, Oregon]]; and [[Grand County, Utah]].}} It is also a national bellwether, only failing to back the nationwide winner on four occasions in its history ([[1892 United States presidential election in Wyoming|1892]], [[1960 United States presidential election in Wyoming|1960]], [[1976 United States presidential election in Wyoming|1976]], and 2012).

Since the 1990s, Albany County has been one of the few competitive counties in heavily Republican Wyoming.  Laramie, home of the University of Wyoming, is solidly Democratic, while the Laramie suburbs and the county's rural precincts are equally solidly Republican. Laramie accounts for roughly half of the county's population, with the Laramie suburbs and the rural precincts of the county forming the other approximate half. Thus, [[swing voters]] typically determine the county's winner.

{{PresHead|place=Albany County, Wyoming|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,930|8,371|576|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|8,579|9,092|946|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,602|6,890|2,568|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,866|7,458|976|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|7,936|8,644|537|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,006|7,117|501|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,814|5,069|1,268|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,967|6,399|1,570|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,176|5,713|2,978|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,653|5,486|196|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|7,452|4,708|186|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,830|3,772|1,925|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|6,734|4,663|225|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,021|4,873|23|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,422|4,079|578|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,923|6,019|0|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,356|4,282|0|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,315|3,407|0|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,560|3,082|10|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,858|3,141|46|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,970|3,229|0|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,756|4,018|30|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,777|3,685|77|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,281|2,665|343|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,941|1,618|27|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,164|743|1,628|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,769|1,145|76|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,313|1,571|111|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|882|1,044|767|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,335|1,152|197|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,674|706|260|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,540|1,001|0|Wyoming}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,220|1,073|22|Wyoming}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,100|0|1,123|Wyoming}}

==Education==
There is one school district in Albany County: [[Albany County School District 1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st56_wy/schooldistrict_maps/c56001_albany/DC20SD_C56001.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Albany County, WY|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 13, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st56_wy/schooldistrict_maps/c56001_albany/DC20SD_C56001_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Albany County Sheriff's Office (Wyoming)]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Albany County, Wyoming]]
* [[Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge]], the last home of the [[Wyoming toad]], located in southern Albany County
*[[Wyoming]]
**[[List of cities and towns in Wyoming]]
**[[List of counties in Wyoming]]
**[[Wyoming statistical areas]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Albany County, Wyoming}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Albany County, Wyoming
|North     = [[Converse County, Wyoming|Converse County]]
|Northeast = [[Platte County, Wyoming|Platte County]]
|East      = [[Laramie County, Wyoming|Laramie County]]
|South     = [[Larimer County, Colorado]]
|Southwest = [[Jackson County, Colorado]]
|West      = [[Carbon County, Wyoming|Carbon County]]
|Northwest = [[Natrona County, Wyoming|Natrona County]]
}}

{{Albany County, Wyoming}}
{{Wyoming}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|41.65|-105.74|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WY_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Albany County, Wyoming| ]]
[[Category:1868 establishments in Wyoming Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1868]]