Riverton, Wyoming

The city, founded in 1906,{{Cite web |last=McFarland |first=Clair |date=April 18, 2024 |title=Wyoming Tribes May Be On Path To Get 60,000 Acres Of Federal Land |url=https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/04/18/wyoming-tribes-may-be-on-path-to-get-60-000-acres-of-federal-land/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=Cowboy State Daily |language=en}} is an incorporated entity of the state of Wyoming. The community was named Riverton because of the four rivers that meet there.{{cite web| url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=23234 |title= Profile for Riverton, Wyoming, WY |publisher= ePodunk |access-date=July 27, 2012}} The town was built on land ceded from the Wind River Indian Reservation, a situation that often makes it subject to jurisdictional claims by the nearby Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.

A legal ruling on November 7, 2017, by the 10th Circuit Court, ruled again in the EPA reservation boundary dispute. Though the decision was complex, the 10th Circuit Court answered plainly. Riverton is not on the reservation. The 10th Circuit's decision is now official and final after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals 2017 ruling. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the EPA, and held that the land had been ceded in 1905 by an Act of Congress. This ruling ends the dispute, bringing the debate and controversy to an end.{{cite web|url=https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/14/14-9512.pdf|title=STATE OF WYOMING, Petitioner, v. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY; E. SCOTT PRUITT|website=Ca10.uscourts.gov|access-date=January 9, 2018}}

Riverton Regional Airport (now Central Wyoming Regional Airport) is home to a National Weather Service Forecast Office and NEXRAD radar site which is responsible to cover all of western and central Wyoming.

The Chicago & Northwestern Railway completed an extension of the "Cowboy Line" through to Lander which is roughly 22 miles west of Riverton. Plans were to continue the line west from Lander. In 1972, the end of the line was moved from Lander and the new terminus of the line was in Riverton. Services were then discontinued in Riverton in the mid-1970's as the line was slowly dismantled west of Casper.

{{US Census population

|align=left

|1910= 483

|1920= 2023

|1930= 1608

|1940= 2540

|1950= 4142

|1960= 6845

|1970= 7995

|1980= 9562

|1990= 9202

|2000= 9310

|2010= 10615

|2020= 10682

|align-fn=center

|footnote=Population 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rivertoncitywyoming |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Riverton |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 12, 2022}} and Historical{{cite web |title = Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns |publisher = Wyoming Department of State / U.S. Census Bureau|url = http://eadiv.state.wy.us/demog_data/cntycity_hist.htm|access-date =June 30, 2008 }}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 14, 2012}} of 2010, there were 10,615 people, 4,252 households, and 2,600 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1076.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,567 housing units at an average density of {{convert|463.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.5% White, 0.5% African American, 10.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.0% of the population.

There were 4,252 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,311 people, 3,816 households, and 2,407 families living in the city. The population density was 952.2 people per square mile (367.5/km²). There were 4,254 housing units at an average density of 435.1/sq mi (167.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.81% White, 0.17% African American, 8.08% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.86% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.09% of the population.

There were 3,816 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,531, and the median income for a family was $37,079. Males had a median income of $31,685 versus $19,157 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,720. About 11.0% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Riverton is located directly north of the Wind River. U.S. Route 26 and Wyoming Highway 789 pass through the city.Riverton West, WY, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1951

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|9.87|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|9.86|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Riverton has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Riverton was {{convert|104|°F}} on July 12, 1954, July 22, 1982, and July 14, 2005, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-46|°F}} on January 17, 1930, January 12, 1963, December 31, 1978, January 1, 1979, and December 23, 1983.

{{Weather box

|location = Riverton, Wyoming, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 63

|Feb record high F = 71

|Mar record high F = 78

|Apr record high F = 87

|May record high F = 96

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 104

|Aug record high F = 103

|Sep record high F = 98

|Oct record high F = 90

|Nov record high F = 73

|Dec record high F = 65

|Jan avg record high F = 49.9

|Feb avg record high F = 55.5

|Mar avg record high F = 68.7

|Apr avg record high F = 78.5

|May avg record high F = 86.0

|Jun avg record high F = 93.6

|Jul avg record high F = 98.8

|Aug avg record high F = 96.5

|Sep avg record high F = 91.2

|Oct avg record high F = 79.9

|Nov avg record high F = 64.5

|Dec avg record high F = 53.1

|year avg record high F = 99.1

|Jan high F = 28.7

|Feb high F = 35.5

|Mar high F = 49.2

|Apr high F = 58.0

|May high F = 67.4

|Jun high F = 78.9

|Jul high F = 87.9

|Aug high F = 85.7

|Sep high F = 74.4

|Oct high F = 59.2

|Nov high F = 42.7

|Dec high F = 29.6

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 16.4

|Feb mean F = 22.5

|Mar mean F = 35.7

|Apr mean F = 44.2

|May mean F = 53.8

|Jun mean F = 63.7

|Jul mean F = 71.3

|Aug mean F = 69.0

|Sep mean F = 58.4

|Oct mean F = 44.8

|Nov mean F = 29.9

|Dec mean F = 17.6

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 4.2

|Feb low F = 9.6

|Mar low F = 22.2

|Apr low F = 30.5

|May low F = 40.3

|Jun low F = 48.5

|Jul low F = 54.8

|Aug low F = 52.2

|Sep low F = 42.5

|Oct low F = 30.4

|Nov low F = 17.1

|Dec low F = 5.7

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -16.8

|Feb avg record low F = -13.3

|Mar avg record low F = 2.8

|Apr avg record low F = 16.4

|May avg record low F = 26.7

|Jun avg record low F = 36.7

|Jul avg record low F = 45.7

|Aug avg record low F = 41.9

|Sep avg record low F = 29.3

|Oct avg record low F = 13.4

|Nov avg record low F = -2.8

|Dec avg record low F = -14.0

|year avg record low F = -22.4

|Jan record low F = -46

|Feb record low F = -45

|Mar record low F = -24

|Apr record low F = -18

|May record low F = 15

|Jun record low F = 26

|Jul record low F = 30

|Aug record low F = 29

|Sep record low F = 9

|Oct record low F = -13

|Nov record low F = -28

|Dec record low F = -46

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.35

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.43

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.71

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.31

|May precipitation inch = 1.98

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.09

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.70

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.45

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.80

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.93

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.44

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.31

|year precipitation inch = 9.50

|Jan snow inch = 5.5

|Feb snow inch = 7.4

|Mar snow inch = 6.5

|Apr snow inch = 7.2

|May snow inch = 2.1

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.6

|Oct snow inch = 4.4

|Nov snow inch = 5.3

|Dec snow inch = 5.3

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 3.7

|Feb precipitation days = 4.2

|Mar precipitation days = 4.6

|Apr precipitation days = 6.7

|May precipitation days = 8.8

|Jun precipitation days = 5.8

|Jul precipitation days = 4.5

|Aug precipitation days = 4.6

|Sep precipitation days = 5.2

|Oct precipitation days = 5.0

|Nov precipitation days = 3.8

|Dec precipitation days = 4.1

|year precipitation days = 61.0

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 4.2

|Feb snow days = 4.9

|Mar snow days = 3.8

|Apr snow days = 3.4

|May snow days = 1.3

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.3

|Oct snow days = 2.0

|Nov snow days = 3.6

|Dec snow days = 4.6

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00487760&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access

|access-date = August 20, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=riw

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data

|access-date = August 20, 2022

}}

}}

Brunton, Inc. is home to the manufacturer of the Brunton compass.

Public education in the city of Riverton is provided by Fremont County School District #25. The district operates three K–3 elementary schools (Ashgrove, Willow Creek, and Jackson), Rendezvous Elementary School (grades 4–5), Riverton Middle School (grades 6–8), and Riverton High School (grades 9–12).

Central Wyoming College is located in Riverton, with off-campus sites in Jackson, Lander, Thermopolis, Dubois, and the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Riverton has a public library, a branch of the Fremont County Library System.{{cite web | url=https://publiclibraries.com/state/wyoming/ | title=Wyoming Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=June 13, 2019}}

The Northern Arapaho Language Immersion School had 20 students in 2009.{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Martin|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/feed/44867/kids-get-language-immersion-at-arapaho-school/|title=Kids get language immersion at Arapaho school|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Oklahoman|date=April 29, 2009|accessdate=August 4, 2021}} It was created by Northern Arapaho tribe to preserve the language, with only English classes being English medium. It was meant to open in August 2008.{{cite web|last=Merrill|first=Chris|url=https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/reviving-a-dying-language/article_1d9acdf6-3749-559b-b6d7-33d5252981d1.html|title=Reviving a dying language |newspaper=Casper Star Tribune|date=February 6, 2008|accessdate=August 4, 2021}} It was inspired by immersion programs in Hawaii and New Zealand. Another school, Arapahoe School, received a federal grant intended to last for five years to have a bilingual program, though Arapaho instruction is more limited there.{{cite web|last=Merrill|first=Chris|url=https://trib.com/news/article_fec745b1-5a0d-530b-8f83-8d22186f8106.html|title=Tribe: Plan follows successful models|newspaper=Jackson Hole Star Tribune|date=February 6, 2008|accessdate=August 4, 2021}}

Emergency services are provided by the Riverton Police Department, Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, Fremont County Fire Protection District Battalion 1, and Frontier Ambulance.

In December of 2024, Riverton Police Chief Eric Hurtado announced a nearly full staff consisting of 26 sworn officers. The Riverton Police Department has two remaining vacancies. https://county10.com/three-new-riverton-police-department-officers-sworn-in-tuesday-staffing-now-at-26-of-28-sworn-employees-budgeted/

• Nick Bebout (born 1951), professional football player
• Andi LeBeau, elected as a Democrat to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 2018
• Lance Deal (born 1961), four-time Olympic hammer thrower (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)
• John Bennett Herrington (born 1958), first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space
• Bucky Jacobsen (born 1975), former Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners
• Leslie Lynch King Sr. (1884–1941), lived for a time as an adult in Riverton, was the biological father of Gerald Ford
• David Love (1913–2002), geologist who was born on a ranch near Riverton
• Nyla Murphy (1931–2015), served as a Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives and practiced law as an adult in Riverton
• Brett Newlin (born 1982), rowed on the Olympic team for the United States in 2008 and 2012
• Kristen Newlin (born 1985), international basketball player
• Chance Phelps (1984–2004), subject of an HBO movie, Taking Chance
• Kristi Racines (c. 1983), the Wyoming State Auditor
• Darrell Winfield (1929–2015), "Marlboro Man"{{cite web|url=http://www.thedavisfuneralhome.com/Obit.aspx?I=1916|title=Darrell Winfield Obituary|website=Davis Funeral Home, Riverton Wyoming|access-date=January 9, 2018}}
• Willie Wright (born 1968), a former American professional football player who was a linebacker and tight end in the National Football League (NFL) and the World League of American Football (WLAF).
• Andrew John Yellowbear Jr. (born 1974), member of the Northern Arapaho tribe; notorious for the premeditated first-degree murder and torture of his 22-month-old daughter
• Ashlynn Yennie, actress

Wind River Transportation Authority provides transit service throughout Fremont County.

A daily passenger service is available to Denver at Central Wyoming Regional Airport, with service provided by SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express. The airport also provides rental car services through Hertz as well as general aviation services.

• 20px United States Highway 26
• 20px Wyoming State Highway 789

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.rivertonwy.gov City of Riverton]

{{Fremont County, Wyoming}}

{{Wyoming}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1906 establishments in Wyoming

Category:Cities in Wyoming

Category:Micropolitan areas of Wyoming

Category:Populated places established in 1906

Category:Cities in Fremont County, Wyoming