Wheatland, Wyoming#Climate

Before the late 19th century, the area around the future site of Wheatland was a flat, arid landscape with desert-like vegetation. In 1883 local rancher and judge Joseph M. Carey, along with Horace Plunkett, John Hoyt, Morton Post, Francis E. Warren, William Irvine, and Andrew Gilchrist, established the Wyoming Development Company. The company hoped to irrigate in the Wheatland Flats and profit from new development.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=96000077}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration, Wheatland Railroad Depot|publisher=United States Department of the Interior}}

By the fall of 1883 an irrigation system was constructed on the Wheatland flats including a 2,380 foot long tunnel to divert water for irrigation into Bluegrass Creek and the first two of the system's canals.Owens, Clyde. Studies in the Settlement and Economic Development of Wyoming. Annals of Wyoming, 1932. Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 546-554. The Cheyenne and Northern Railway line reached the Wheatland flats in July 1887, eventually extending to the Wyoming Central Railway at Wendover. The line was eventually sold to the Colorado and Southern Railway, controlled by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad, and operated at Wheatland station. Lots in the town of Wheatland were auctioned in 1894. By 1915 many farms were established in the irrigation district and the population of the flats was 5,277.

In 1911 Platte County was created from a portion of Albany County, and Wheatland was selected as the county seat.{{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= July 10, 2012 |last= Long |first= John H. |year= 2006|work= Wyoming Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher= The Newberry Library}} The Platte County Courthouse was built in Wheatland in 1917.

The Wheatland Irrigation District is still the largest privately owned irrigation system in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.plattechamber.com/publications/CommunityProfile.pdf|title=Community Profile|publisher=Platte County Chamber of Commerce}}

Image:Wheatland City Hall.jpg

Wheatland is located at {{coord|42|3|14|N|104|57|34|W|type:city}} (42.053917, –104.959460).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|4.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{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}}

{{US Census population

| 1910 = 796

| 1920 = 1336

| 1930 = 1997

| 1940 = 2110

| 1950 = 2286

| 1960 = 2350

| 1970 = 2498

| 1980 = 5816

| 1990 = 3271

| 2000 = 3548

| 2010 = 3627

| 2020 = 3588

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 3509

| estref =

| align-fn = center

| footnote = [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]

}}

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 3,627 people, 1,657 households, and 974 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|884.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,879 housing units at an average density of {{convert|458.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 95.1% White, 0.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.

There were 1,657 households, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the town was 45.4 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Image:Wheatland, WY city limits sign.jpg

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,548 people, 1,539 households, and 980 families living in the town. The population density was 837.6 people per square mile (323.1/km²). There were 1,764 housing units at an average density of 416.4 per square mile (160.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.00% White, 0.31% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 1.89% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.54% of the population.

There were 1,539 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,208, and the median income for a family was $42,623. Males had a median income of $34,940 versus $20,185 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,069. About 6.9% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Wheatland experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cold, dry winters and hot, wetter summers.

{{Weather box

|location = Wheatland 4N, Wyoming (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)

|single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 70

| Feb record high F = 74

| Mar record high F = 86

| Apr record high F = 91

| May record high F = 98

| Jun record high F = 108

| Jul record high F = 107

| Aug record high F = 112

| Sep record high F = 101

| Oct record high F = 92

| Nov record high F = 86

| Dec record high F = 76

| year record high F = 112

|Jan avg record high F = 60.2

|Feb avg record high F = 63.2

|Mar avg record high F = 74.2

|Apr avg record high F = 80.9

|May avg record high F = 88.9

|Jun avg record high F = 95.7

|Jul avg record high F = 99.9

|Aug avg record high F = 98.0

|Sep avg record high F = 94.2

|Oct avg record high F = 84.2

|Nov avg record high F = 70.7

|Dec avg record high F = 61.7

|year avg record high F = 100.6

| Jan high F = 43.3

| Feb high F = 45.1

| Mar high F = 55.4

| Apr high F = 62.1

| May high F = 71.1

| Jun high F = 82.7

| Jul high F = 90.3

| Aug high F = 89.0

| Sep high F = 80.2

| Oct high F = 65.6

| Nov high F = 52.4

| Dec high F = 42.8

| year high F = 65.0

| Jan mean F = 30.0

| Feb mean F = 30.8

| Mar mean F = 39.8

| Apr mean F = 46.1

| May mean F = 55.1

| Jun mean F = 65.4

| Jul mean F = 72.2

| Aug mean F = 70.5

| Sep mean F = 61.6

| Oct mean F = 48.8

| Nov mean F = 38.0

| Dec mean F = 29.5

| year mean F = 49.0

| Jan low F = 16.6

| Feb low F = 16.5

| Mar low F = 24.1

| Apr low F = 30.0

| May low F = 39.2

| Jun low F = 48.0

| Jul low F = 54.1

| Aug low F = 52.0

| Sep low F = 43.1

| Oct low F = 32.0

| Nov low F = 23.7

| Dec low F = 16.2

| year low F = 33.0

|Jan avg record low F = -12.2

|Feb avg record low F = -6.1

|Mar avg record low F = 5.7

|Apr avg record low F = 15.8

|May avg record low F = 26.8

|Jun avg record low F = 39.2

|Jul avg record low F = 45.6

|Aug avg record low F = 42.9

|Sep avg record low F = 31.0

|Oct avg record low F = 15.1

|Nov avg record low F = -0.4

|Dec avg record low F = -10.0

|year avg record low F = -19.5

| Jan record low F = −36

| Feb record low F = −36

| Mar record low F = −25

| Apr record low F = -22

| May record low F = 13

| Jun record low F = 28

| Jul record low F = 29

| Aug record low F = 25

| Sep record low F = 12

| Oct record low F = −9

| Nov record low F = −19

| Dec record low F = −39

| year record low F = −39

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 0.28

| Feb precipitation inch = 0.42

| Mar precipitation inch = 0.74

| Apr precipitation inch = 1.70

| May precipitation inch = 2.70

| Jun precipitation inch = 2.12

| Jul precipitation inch = 1.73

| Aug precipitation inch = 1.17

| Sep precipitation inch = 1.29

| Oct precipitation inch = 1.14

| Nov precipitation inch = 0.45

| Dec precipitation inch = 0.39

| year precipitation inch = 14.13

| Jan snow inch = 4.6

| Feb snow inch = 7.8

| Mar snow inch = 7.4

| Apr snow inch = 5.4

| May snow inch = 1.4

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.1

| Oct snow inch = 3.2

| Nov snow inch = 4.3

| Dec snow inch = 5.7

| year snow inch = 39.9

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 2.7

| Feb precipitation days = 3.4

| Mar precipitation days = 3.6

| Apr precipitation days = 5.7

| May precipitation days = 7.8

| Jun precipitation days = 7.5

| Jul precipitation days = 6.3

| Aug precipitation days = 5.8

| Sep precipitation days = 5.4

| Oct precipitation days = 4.3

| Nov precipitation days = 3.0

| Dec precipitation days = 2.8

| year precipitation days = 58.3

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 2.7

| Feb snow days = 3.2

| Mar snow days = 2.8

| Apr snow days = 2.0

| May snow days = 0.6

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.2

| Oct snow days = 1.1

| Nov snow days = 2.4

| Dec snow days = 3.1

| year snow days = 18.1

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=cys

| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| accessdate = December 10, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00489615&format=pdf

| title = Station: Wheatland 4 N, WY

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = December 10, 2021}}

}}

Public education in the town of Wheatland is provided by Platte County School District #1. Campuses serving the town include Libbey Elementary School (grades K–2), West Elementary School (grades 3–5), Wheatland Middle School (grades 6–8), and Wheatland High School (grades 9–12).

Wheatland has a public library, a branch of the Platte County Public Library System.{{cite web | url=https://publiclibraries.com/state/wyoming/ | title=Wyoming Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=June 14, 2019}}

• {{jct|state=WY|I|25}} - bypasses on the west.
• {{jct|state=WY|US|87}} - north-south route through Wheatland.
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|310|name1= Hightower Rd.}}
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|312|name1= Ferguson Rd.}}
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|316|name1= Antelope Gap Rd.}}
• {{jct|state=WY|WY|320|name1= No. Wheatland Hwy.}}

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow.{{cite web|url=https://expressarrow.com/locations/|title=Express Arrow Locations|access-date=July 20, 2023}}

Wheatland is served by Phifer Airfield just east of town on State Route 316 (Gilchrist St./Antelope Gap Rd.). However, the field has no direct commercial service, residents can choose between Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Casper–Natrona County International Airport, and Cheyenne Regional Airport.

Wheatland is the home of the historical Wheatland station, then operated by Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf Railway. The station is not open today for revenue service, though the tracks through Wheatland are currently owned and used by Berkshire Hathaway's BNSF Railway after a series of acquisitions which gave BNSF the Wheatland assets formerly operated by Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf. BNSF currently has small offices located in Wheatland.{{Cite web |title=Railroad Photos by Mike Yuhas: Wheatland, Wyoming, 3/22/2007 |url=http://www.mikeyuhas.org/albums/2007/20071128.php |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=www.mikeyuhas.org}}{{Cite web |title=BNSF Railway in Wheatland , WY |url=https://www.yellowpages.com/wheatland-wy/mip/bnsf-railway-488149536 |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=YP.com |language=en}}

Wheatland hosts the annual Platte County Fair & Rodeo, usually held the second full week of August, at the fairgrounds on the east edge of town at Front Street and Antelope Gap Road.[http://www.plattechamber.com/Wheatland.aspx Platte County Chamber of Commerce: Wheatland - The Platte County Fair & Rodeo tops the list of major events, usually held the second full week of August.] Retrieved July 6, 2015

The horse Steamboat, the model for the bucking horse and rider motif on the Wyoming license, was stabled near Wheatland in a barn owned and maintained as a historical structure by Mike and Linda Holst. Steamboat is also the logo for the University of Wyoming.{{cite news|url=http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2013/09/22/news/01top_09-22-13.txt|title=Kelsey Bray, Blazin' saddle|newspaper=Wyoming Tribune-Eagle|access-date=September 23, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://soswy.state.wy.us/Services/BHRHistory.aspx|title=Historical Information Wyoming Secretary of State}}

• Deborah Alden, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives{{Cite web |title=HOUSE DISTRICT 3 MEMBER - Deborah Alden |url=https://wyoleg.gov/2006/members/h3.htm |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=wyoleg.gov}}
• Benjamin N. Bellis (1924–2019), United States Air Force Lieutenant General
• Freckles Brown (1921–1987), Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion bull rider
• Edward Bryant (1945–2017), science fiction writer, fantasy author
• Jim Geringer (born 1944), former governor of Wyoming
• Robert Mills Grant (1926–2012), rancher and Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992
• Jeremy Haroldson, pastor, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
• Floyd Shaman (1935–2005), sculptor
• Dennis Utter (1939–2011), Nebraska state legislator
• Charles Hoskinson (born 1987), founder of Cardano (blockchain platform), co-founder of Ethereum

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.pcrecordtimes.com/v2_main_page.php Platte County Record Times]
• [http://www.wheaterville.com Wheaterville News]

{{Platte County, Wyoming}}

{{Wyoming county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Platte County, Wyoming

Category:Towns in Wyoming

Category:County seats in Wyoming