Cheyenne: Population Profile

Metropolitan Area Residents (Laramie County)

1980: 68,600

1990: 73,142

2000: 81,607

2003 estimate: 84,083

Percent change, 1990–2000: 3%

U.S. rank in 2000: 637th

City Residents

1980: 47,283

1990: 50,008

2000: 53,011

2003 estimate: 54,374

Percent change, 1990–2000: 5.6%

U.S. rank in 1980: 451st

U.S. rank in 1990: 504th (State rank: 1st)

U.S. rank in 2000: 520th (State rank: 1st)

Density: 2,511.4 people per square mile (2000)

Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000)

White: 46,707

Black or African American: 1,472

American Indian and Alaskan Native: 430

Asian: 561

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 59

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 6,646

Other: 2,356

Percent of residents born in state: 36.9% (2000)

Age characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 3,422

Population 5 to 9 years old: 3,677

Population 10 to 14 years old: 3,755

Population 15 to 19 years old: 3,683

Population 20 to 24 years old: 3,337

Population 25 to 34 years old: 7,362

Population 35 to 44 years old: 8,387

Population 45 to 54 years old: 7,423

Population 55 to 59 years old: 2,562

Population 60 to 64 years old: 2,090

Population 65 to 74 years old: 3,723

Population 75 to 84 years old: 2,638

Population 85 years and older: 952

Median age: 36.6 years

Births (2001, Laramie County)

Total number: 1,116

Deaths (2001, Laramie County)

Total number: 681

Money income (1999)

Per capita income: $19,809

Median household income: $38,856

Total households: 22,346

Number of households with income of . . .

less than $10,000: 1,744

$10,000 to $14,999: 1,587

$15,000 to $24,999: 3,245

$25,000 to $34,999: 3,435

$35,000 to $49,999: 4,502

$50,000 to $74,999: 4,456

$75,000 to $99,999: 2,076

$100,000 to $149,999: 935

$150,000 to $199,999: 154

$200,000 or more: 933

Percent of families below poverty level: 6.3 (37.3% of which were female householder families with related children under 5 years)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 2,476

Cheyenne

The City in Brief

Founded: 1867 (incorporated, 1867)

Head Official: Mayor Jack R. Spiker (since 2001)

City Population

1980: 47,283

1990: 50,008

2000: 53,011

2003 estimate: 54,374

Percent change, 1990–2000: 6%

U.S. rank in 1980: 451st

U.S. rank in 1990: 504th

U.S. rank in 2000: 520th

Metropolitan Area Population (Laramie County)

1980: 68,600

1990: 73,142

2000: 81,607

Percent change, 1990–2000: 11.6%

U.S. rank in 2000: 637th

Area: 21.19 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 6,062 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 45.6° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 14.1 inches of rain; 51.3 inches of snow

Major Economic Sectors: Public administration, wholesale and retail trade, services

Unemployment Rate: 4.3% (February 2005)

Per Capita Income: $19,809 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 2,476

Major Colleges and Universities: Laramie County Community College, University of Wyoming-Laramie

Daily Newspaper: The Wyoming Tribune Eagle

Cheyenne: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

Cheyenne's daily newspaper is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle ; in addition to the print edition, an online edition of the paper can be accessed via the Internet. Warren Sentinel is a weekly paper published by Wyoming Newspapers for F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Also published in Cheyenne are Wyoming Wildlife, a Wyoming Fish and Game Department magazine on hunting, fishing, and environmental issues, and Wyoming Stockman-Farmer.

Television and Radio

One television station affiliated with a major network broadcasts from Cheyenne. The city also receives four stations from Denver and Casper; cable is available. The area is served by seven AM and FM radio stations that feature news and information, music, and special programming.

Media Information: Wyoming Newspaper Group, 702 West Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001; telephone (307)634-3361

Cheyenne Online

Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Available www.cheyenne.org

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce. Available www.cheyennechamber.org

Laramie County School District. Available www.laramie1.k12.wy.us

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Available www.wyomingnews.com

Cheyenne: Geography and Climate

Surrounded by rolling prairie, Cheyenne is located between the North and South Platte rivers. The Laramie Mountains 30 miles west of the city form a ridge that is part of the Rocky Mountain range and that significantly influences local temperature and weather. Winds passing over the ridge from the northwest through the west to southwest produce a Chinook effect, particularly during the winter. (Chinooks are warm, moist winds from the sea.) Because of the terrain and wind patterns, Cheyenne experiences wide daily temperature fluctuations of 30 degrees in the summer and about 23 degrees in the winter. Snow falls during late winter and early spring, with yearly snowfall averaging 51.3 inches.

Area: 21.19 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 6,062 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures: January, 26.1° F; August, 66.8° F; annual average, 45.6° F.

Average Annual Precipitation: 14.1 inches of rain; 51.3 inches of snow

Cheyenne city (1990 pop. 50,008), alt. 6,062 ft (1,848 m), state capital and seat of Laramie co., SE Wyo., near the Colo. and Nebr. lines; inc. 1868. It is a market for sheep and cattle ranches and a shipping center with good transportation facilities. Manufactures include dairy, wood, petroleum, and metal products; feeds, lumber, machinery, and construction materials. The city was established after the Union Pacific RR selected the site for a division point in 1867. It was made territorial capital in 1869. In the 1870s the development of cattle ranching and the opening of the Black Hills gold fields stimulated the city's growth. Cheyenne revives its past annually with a Frontier Days celebration, first held in 1897. Landmarks include the state capitol and the supreme court building, which houses the state historical museum and library. Nearby is Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.

Cheyenne: Health Care

Cheyenne is a regional healthcare center. Major facilities are United Medical Center (UMC) East and West, with a combined total of 198 beds. Specialized services offered include cancer treatment, cardiovascular care and surgery, acute care and chemical-dependency services. The hospital recently opened a new tower that includes five floors of private patient rooms and connects to the existing building. UMC is designated as a regional trauma center by the Wyoming Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services. The Cheyenne Veteran's Administration Hospital provides medical care to military personnel and their families and to veterans. Facilities at the F.E. Warren U.S. Air Force Base provide medical and dental care for military personnel and their families.

Cheyenne: Municipal Government

Cheyenne operates under a mayor-council form of government; the nine council members and the mayor serve four-year terms. The nine council members represent three city wards and serve staggered four-year terms. A council president and vice-president elected from among the council members each serve one-year terms. The mayor and council members serve as Cheyenne's legislative body, which is responsible for regulating city growth and development, enacting ordinances, appropriating city funds, and establishing city rules and regulations.

Head Official: Mayor Jack R. Spiker (since 2001; current term expires 2005)

Total Number of City Employees: 564 (2005)

City Information: City of Cheyenne, 2101 O'Neil Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001; telephone (307)637-6300

Cheyenne: Convention Facilities

Cheyenne offers four convention facilities accommodating a combined total of 3,110 persons. More than 2,000 hotel and motel rooms are located in the Cheyenne area. Several hotels and motels also provide meeting accommodations.

Convention Information: Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, One Depot Square, 121 W. 15th Street, Suite 202, Cheyenne WY 82001; telephone (307)778-3133; toll-free (800)426-5009; fax (307)778-3190; email info @cheyenne.org