Goshen County, Wyoming

Goshen County was created in 1911 from a portion of Laramie County. Its government was organized in 1913.{{Cite web |date=2004 |editor-last=Long |editor-first=John H. |title=Wyoming: Individual County Chronologies |url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803014725/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/WY_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |website=Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries |publisher=The Newberry Library}} 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.

By the 1820s, the North Platte River had become a route for westward-bound fur traders and trappers. By the 1840s this route became part of the Oregon Trail or Mormon Trail. By the late 1850s, it was the route for regularly scheduled east–west stagecoaches carrying passengers and the U.S. mail, and for the short-lived Pony Express carrying mail from Missouri to California (April 1860 to November 1861). By October 1861, transcontinental telegraph lines had been completed along the route. From September 1876 to February 1887, a north–south, Cheyenne-Deadwood stage coach line ran through the county from Cheyenne to the gold fields of the Dakota Territory.

The county was apparently named for Goshen Hole, a valley in the southwest part of the county. John C. Frémont camped in that area on July 14, 1843, and recorded that name in his [https://books.google.com/books?id=W8ICAAAAMAAJ journal], during an expedition on the Oregon Trail.{{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}} 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. And, 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.

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|2232|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2225|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|6.8|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_56.txt |access-date=August 5, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The county is situated in the High Plains east of the Rocky Mountains.

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

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

{{div col end}}

• Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Image:NorthPlatteRiverMay2002.jpg 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.)

{{Weather box|width=auto

|location = Torrington, Wyoming

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 70

|Feb record high F = 75

|Mar record high F = 85

|Apr record high F = 91

|May record high F = 100

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 111

|Aug record high F = 105

|Sep record high F = 101

|Oct record high F = 92

|Nov record high F = 83

|Dec record high F = 77

|year record high F= 111

|Jan high F = 39.5

|Feb high F = 45.0

|Mar high F = 52.0

|Apr high F = 61.2

|May high F = 71.0

|Jun high F = 82.4

|Jul high F = 89.1

|Aug high F = 87.3

|Sep high F = 77.7

|Oct high F = 65.4

|Nov high F = 49.2

|Dec high F = 41.0

|Jan mean F = 24.9

|Feb mean F = 30.0

|Mar mean F = 37.5

|Apr mean F = 46.0

|May mean F = 56.2

|Jun mean F = 66.3

|Jul mean F = 72.3

|Aug mean F = 70.2

|Sep mean F = 59.8

|Oct mean F = 47.6

|Nov mean F = 34.0

|Dec mean F = 26.2

|Jan low F = 10.3

|Feb low F = 14.9

|Mar low F = 23.0

|Apr low F = 30.7

|May low F = 41.3

|Jun low F = 50.2

|Jul low F = 55.5

|Aug low F = 53.1

|Sep low F = 41.9

|Oct low F = 29.7

|Nov low F = 18.8

|Dec low F = 11.3

|Jan record low F = −39

|Feb record low F = −33

|Mar record low F = −26

|Apr record low F = −17

|May record low F = 11

|Jun record low F = 29

|Jul record low F = 39

|Aug record low F = 32

|Sep record low F = 14

|Oct record low F = −9

|Nov record low F = −23

|Dec record low F = −43

|year record low F= −43

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.31

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.40

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.70

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.68

|May precipitation inch = 2.54

|Jun precipitation inch = 2.09

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.78

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.19

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.27

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.95

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.57

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.36

|Jan snow inch = 4.8

|Feb snow inch = 4.9

|Mar snow inch = 4.9

|Apr snow inch = 3.2

|May snow inch = 0.1

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.4

|Oct snow inch = 2.1

|Nov snow inch = 4.8

|Dec snow inch = 6.8

|Jan precipitation days = 4.3

|Feb precipitation days = 3.5

|Mar precipitation days = 5.3

|Apr precipitation days = 7.5

|May precipitation days = 9.8

|Jun precipitation days = 8.7

|Jul precipitation days = 7.6

|Aug precipitation days = 6.3

|Sep precipitation days = 5.9

|Oct precipitation days = 4.7

|Nov precipitation days = 4.0

|Dec precipitation days = 3.9

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch

|Jan snow days = 3.8

|Feb snow days = 2.8

|Mar snow days = 2.5

|Apr snow days = 1.3

|May snow days = 0.2

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.2

|Oct snow days = 0.8

|Nov snow days = 2.4

|Dec snow days = 3.6

|unit snow days = 0.1 inch

|source 1= NOAA (normals, 1971–2000) {{Cite web |title=Climatography of the US No.81 |url=http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/WYnorm.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713145434/http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/WYnorm.pdf |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |access-date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}

|source 2= The Weather Channel (Records) {{Cite web |title=Monthly Averages for Torrington WY |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businessdrugy/wxclimatology/monthly/USWY0168 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024222038/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businessdrugy/wxclimatology/monthly/USWY0168 |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel}} NOAA NNDC Climate Data {{Cite web |title=Climate Data Online Extremes Products |url=http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/cdoextremesdateselect.cmd?exdsid=31&stnlist=48899599999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212133735/http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/cdoextremesdateselect.cmd?exdsid=31&stnlist=48899599999 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=June 3, 2012 |publisher=NOAA}}

|date=April 2011}}

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.

{{US Census population

| 1920 = 8064

| 1930 = 11754

| 1940 = 12207

| 1950 = 12634

| 1960 = 11941

| 1970 = 10885

| 1980 = 12040

| 1990 = 12373

| 2000 = 12538

| 2010 = 13249

| 2020 = 12498

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 12635

| estref = {{Cite web |title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/goshencountywyoming/PST045224 |access-date=June 3, 2025 |website=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = US Decennial Census{{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}}
1870–2000{{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}} 2010{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/56/56015.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606214800/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/56/56015.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=January 25, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} 2020{{Cite web |title=Goshen County, Wyoming |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Goshen_County,_Wyoming?g=050XX00US56015 |access-date=June 25, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2000 United States Census,{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=May 14, 2011 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} of 2000, there were 12,538 people, 5,061 households, and 3,426 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 5,881 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. 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.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,249 people, 5,311 households, and 3,466 families in the county.{{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/DPDP1/0500000US56015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013240/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US56015 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|6.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 5,972 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{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.CY07/0500000US56015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213190732/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US56015 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} 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. In terms of ancestry, 38.3% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 15.3% were English, and 5.1% were American.{{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/DP02/0500000US56015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213034349/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US56015 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

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.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,590 and the median income for a family was $51,978. Males had a median income of $38,247 versus $25,277 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,753. About 7.2% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.{{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/DP03/0500000US56015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015727/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US56015 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

• Torrington (county seat)

• Fort Laramie
• LaGrange
• Lingle
• Yoder

• Hawk Springs
• Huntley
• Veteran

• Jay Em
• Rockeagle[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rockeagle,+WY+82244/@42.0027451,-104.5903828,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8765b2169d51c8a9:0x2056e88005eed20f!2sGoshen+County,+WY!3b1!8m2!3d42.0334428!4d-104.3791912!3m4!1s0x8765beb3e08a7013:0xde0facfa8ca3e6f5!8m2!3d42.0026213!4d-104.581604 Rockeagle WY Google Maps (accessed 10 January 2019)]

The [https://web.archive.org/web/20151021204758/http://gogoshen.net/attraction/goshen-county-fairgrounds/ 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.{{Cite web |title=Goshen County Fairgrounds — Event Venue |url=http://www.goshencounty.org/index.php/fair-grounds |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511161703/http://www.goshencounty.org/index.php/fair-grounds |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}

The Wyoming Department of Corrections Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) is located east of Torrington on County Road 72 (Sheep Creek Rd.)[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US5677530&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Torrington city, Wyoming]{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}. US Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.{{Cite web |title=Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) |url=http://goshencounty.org/file.asp?id=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725230906/http://goshencounty.org/file.asp?id=9 |archive-date=July 25, 2011}}. Goshen County GIS Department. 2009. Retrieved on December 12, 2010.{{Cite web |title=Contact Institutions |url=http://doc.state.wy.us/doc/contactinstitutions.html |access-date=August 22, 2010 |publisher=Wyoming Department of Corrections |quote=7076 Road 55F Torrington, WY 82240}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution |url=http://doc.state.wy.us/institutions/wmci/index.html |access-date=August 22, 2010 |publisher=Wyoming Department of Corrections}}

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).

{{PresHead|place=Goshen County, Wyoming|whig=no|source1={{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}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,893|1,156|125|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,878|1,203|160|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,418|924|454|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,178|1,458|170|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,942|1,832|138|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,114|1,566|99|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,922|1,439|159|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,989|1,923|601|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,395|1,754|1,169|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,075|1,875|55|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,776|1,364|44|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,572|1,373|370|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,764|2,262|12|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,629|1,515|20|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,719|1,529|468|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,604|2,749|0|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,178|2,414|0|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,825|2,130|0|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,396|1,648|14|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,029|1,843|37|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,674|1,514|0|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,861|1,982|15|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,047|2,639|65|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,954|2,545|91|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,483|777|38|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,603|464|788|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,496|552|9|Wyoming}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|770|1,096|70|Wyoming}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|292|318|288|Wyoming}}

• {{jct|state=WY|US|26}}
• {{jct|state=WY|US|85}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• {{jct|state=WY|WY|92}} (Huntley Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|151}} (LaGrange Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|152}} (Yoder Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|153}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150521163404/https://wgfd.wyo.gov/accessto/Whmas/springer.asp Springer Reservoir Road])
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|154}} (Veteran Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|156}} (Sugar Factory Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|158}} (Horse Creek Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|159}} (Van Tassell Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|160}} (Old Fort Laramie Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|161}} (Yoder-Huntley Road)
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|313}} (Chugwater Road)

{{div col end}}

• Torrington Municipal Airport (TOR) – Torrington{{Cite web |title=Goshen County Public and Private Airports |url=http://www.tollfreeairline.com/wyoming/goshen.htm |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=www.tollfreeairline.com}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Goshen County, Wyoming
• Wyoming
• List of cities and towns in Wyoming
• List of counties in Wyoming
• Wyoming statistical areas

• [http://www.goshensheriff.org/ Goshen County Sheriff's Office]

{{Commons category|Goshen County, Wyoming}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Goshen County, Wyoming

|North = Niobrara County

|Northeast = Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska

|East = Sioux County, Nebraska

|Southeast = Banner County, Nebraska

|South = Laramie County

|West = Platte County

}}

{{Goshen County, Wyoming}}

{{Wyoming}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|42.09|-104.36|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WY_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:1913 establishments in Wyoming

Category:Populated places established in 1913