Converse County, Wyoming

{{Short description|County in Wyoming, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Converse County | state = Wyoming | ex image = Douglas State Fair.jpg | ex image size = 300px | ex image cap = Wyoming State Fair | seal = | flag = | founded = March 9, 1888 | seat wl = Douglas | largest city = Douglas | area_total_sq_mi = 4265 | area_land_sq_mi = 4255 | area_water_sq_mi = 10 | area percentage = 0.2% | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 13751 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 13824 {{gain}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = conversecounty.org | time zone = Mountain | district = At-large | named for = A.R. Converse }} [[File:Dave Johnson coal-fired power plant, central Wyoming.jpg|thumb|Dave Johnston power plant, a large coal-fired generating station at Glenrock, owned by PacifiCorp ]] '''Converse County''' is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 13,751.<ref name=QF>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Converse County, Wyoming |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/conversecountywyoming |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref> Its county seat is Douglas.<ref name="naco">{{cite web|url=https://ce.naco.org/?county_info=56009|access-date=May 17, 2025|title=NACo County Explorer|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History== Converse County was created in 1888 by the legislature of the Wyoming Territory, of area annexed from Albany and Laramie counties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Long |first=John H. |year=2006 |title=Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies |url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Wyoming/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004041625/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Wyoming/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2008 |website=Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries |publisher=The Newberry Library}}</ref>

Converse County was named for A.R. Converse, a banker and rancher from Cheyenne, Wyoming, who was co-owner with Francis E. Warren in a large ranch in the eastern part of Converse County.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Urbanek |first=Mae |title=Wyoming Place Names |publisher=Mountain Press Pub. Co. |year=1988 |isbn=0-87842-204-8 |location=Missoula MT}}</ref>

A portion of Converse County territory was annexed for the formation of Niobrara County in 1911. Converse County was slightly enlarged with territory from Albany County in 1955 after a special election.

==Geography== According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|4265|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4255|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|10|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_56.txt |access-date=August 5, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> thumb|Landscape in Converse County

===Adjacent counties=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Campbell County - north * Weston County - northeast * Niobrara County - east * Platte County - southeast * Albany County - south * Carbon County - southwest * Natrona County - west * Johnson County - northwest {{div col end}}

===National protected areas=== *Medicine Bow National Forest (part) *Thunder Basin National Grassland (part)

===Major highways=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *20px Interstate 25 *20px U.S. Highway 18 *20px U.S. Highway 20 *20px U.S. Highway 26 *20px U.S. Highway 287 *20px Wyoming Highway 59 {{div col end}}

===Transit=== *Express Arrow

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1890 = 2738 | 1900 = 3337 | 1910 = 6294 | 1920 = 7871 | 1930 = 7145 | 1940 = 6631 | 1950 = 5933 | 1960 = 6366 | 1970 = 5938 | 1980 = 14069 | 1990 = 11128 | 2000 = 12052 | 2010 = 13833 | 2020 = 13751 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 13824 | estref = <ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/conversecountywyoming/PST045223 |access-date=May 17, 2025 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> {{increase}} | align = right | align-fn = center | footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=August 5, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 1870–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns |url=http://eadiv.state.wy.us/demog_data/pop2000/cntycity_hist.htm |access-date=January 25, 2014 |publisher=Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Division of Economic Analysis}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name=QF/> }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,751. Of the residents, 24.9% were under the age of 18 and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.0 males.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=county%3A009&in=state%3A56|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=2025-11-29|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=county%3A009&in=state%3A56|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=2025-11-29|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Converse County, Wyoming – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Converse County, Wyoming|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?q=P004:+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO,+AND+NOT+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO+BY+RACE+[73]&g=050XX00US56009|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 8, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Converse County, Wyoming|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US56009|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 8, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Converse County, Wyoming|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=p2&g=050XX00US56009|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 8, 2026|df=mdy }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |11,072 |12,632 |style='background: #ffffe6; |11,996 |91.87% |91.32% |style='background: #ffffe6; |87.24% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |18 |43 |style='background: #ffffe6; |39 |0.15% |0.31% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |95 |88 |style='background: #ffffe6; |72 |0.79% |0.64% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.52% |- |Asian alone (NH) |31 |41 |style='background: #ffffe6; |55 |0.26% |0.30% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.40% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |3 |1 |style='background: #ffffe6; |0 |0.02% |0.01% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |- |Other race alone (NH) |28 |4 |style='background: #ffffe6; |41 |0.23% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |145 |157 |style='background: #ffffe6; |486 |1.20% |1.13% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.53% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |660 |867 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,062 |5.48% |6.27% |style='background: #ffffe6; |7.72% |- |'''Total''' |'''12,052''' |'''13,833''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''13,751''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

The racial makeup of the county was 89.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 2.7% from some other race, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.7% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

There were 5,693 households in the county, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 6,612 housing units, of which 13.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.3% were owner-occupied and 25.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census=== As of the 2010 United States census, there were 13,833 people, 5,673 households, and 3,860 families in the county.<ref name="DC">{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US56009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015724/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US56009 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|3.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 6,403 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US56009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191529/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US56009 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.7% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.3% of the population.<ref name=DC/> In terms of ancestry, 36.8% were German, 19.8% were Irish, 18.0% were English, and 6.2% were American.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US56009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014603/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US56009 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

Of the 5,673 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 39.0 years.<ref name=DC/>

The median income for a household in the county was $54,599 and the median income for a family was $69,057. Males had a median income of $54,863 versus $32,025 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,656. About 4.5% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US56009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022437/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US56009 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

===2000 census=== As of the 2000 United States census,<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=May 14, 2011 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 12,052 people, 4,694 households, and 3,407 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 5,669 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.72% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.46% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 5.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 13.5% American, 12.2% English and 11.1% Irish ancestry.

There were 4,694 households, out of which 36.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. Of 4,694 households, 253 were unmarried partner households: 228 heterosexual, 12 same-sex male, and 13 same-sex female.

23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.

The county population contained 28.50% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,603, and the median income for a family was $45,905. Males had a median income of $36,443 versus $19,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,744. About 9.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities== ===City=== * Douglas (county seat)

===Towns=== * Glenrock * Rolling Hills * Lost Springs

===Census-designated places===

* Esterbrook * Orin

===Other unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Bill * Boxelder<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Boxelder,+WY+82637/@42.6144096,-105.8687591,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87616ba8b2e2526f:0xe98a5520c316327!2sConverse+County,+WY!3b1!8m2!3d43.0489425!4d-105.4068079!3m4!1s0x87672bef604f1d81:0x3b698978fe9511aa!8m2!3d42.6145069!4d-105.8601379 ''Boxelder WY'' Google Maps (accessed 9 January 2019)]</ref> * Parkerton<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parkerton,+WY+82637/@42.851076,-105.9818189,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87616ba8b2e2526f:0xe98a5520c316327!2sConverse+County,+WY!3b1!8m2!3d43.0489425!4d-105.4068079!3m4!1s0x8760c52b81a34b91:0xf5923128f0f7cc03!8m2!3d42.851051!4d-105.9730911 ''Parkerton WY'' Google Maps (accessed 9 January 2019)]</ref> * Shawnee {{div col end}}

==Politics== Like most of Wyoming, Converse County is overwhelmingly Republican. Since Wyoming statehood in 1890, it has only been won by two Democrats – Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936 – and even these two won the county by no more than eight percentage points. The last Democrat to win forty percent of the county's vote was Lyndon Johnson in 1964, and the last to pass so much as 22 percent was Bill Clinton in 1996. {{PresHead|place=Converse County, Wyoming|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1892|Republican|494|0|417|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|585|459|13|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|795|406|0|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,098|395|25|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,030|716|19|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1912|Republican|540|436|403|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|766|879|35|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,561|679|9|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,758|524|725|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,040|845|8|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,569|1,860|48|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,556|1,639|56|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,889|1,395|2|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,601|979|0|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,327|996|15|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,056|850|10|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,855|751|0|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,933|926|0|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,559|1,250|0|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,658|492|232|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,312|682|6|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,188|1,150|9|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,987|922|320|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,542|929|52|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,885|1,301|29|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,159|1,307|1,285|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,702|1,520|689|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,919|1,076|180|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,447|1,184|94|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,922|1,380|149|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,043|1,089|211|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,520|668|466|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,917|861|192|Wyoming}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,756|845|138|Wyoming}} {{PresFoot}}

==Education== The county has two school districts: Converse County School District 1 and Converse County School District 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st56_wy/schooldistrict_maps/c56009_converse/DC20SD_C56009.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Converse County, WY|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-22}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st56_wy/schooldistrict_maps/c56009_converse/DC20SD_C56009_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Converse County, Wyoming}} *[http://www.conversecounty.org/ Converse County Website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061005071004/http://www.ccsd1.k12.wy.us/ Converse County School District #1]

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Converse County, Wyoming |North = Campbell County |Northeast = Weston County |East = Niobrara County |Southeast = Platte County |South = Albany County |Southwest = Carbon County |West = Natrona County |Northwest = Johnson County }}

{{Converse County, Wyoming}} {{Wyoming}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|42.97|-105.50|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WY_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Converse County, Wyoming Category:1888 establishments in Wyoming Territory Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1888