Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne, Wyoming Found named for, Cheyenne (/ʃaɪˈæn/ shy-AN or /ʃaɪˈɛn/)(Arapaho: Hítesííno'óowú' [7]) is the capital and most populous city of the US state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County.[8] It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population was 59,466 at the 2010 census.[9] Cheyenne is the northern terminus of the extensive and fast-growing Front Range Urban Corridor that stretches from Cheyenne to Pueblo, Colorado, and has a population of 4,333,742 according to the 2010 United States Census.[3][10] Cheyenne is situated on Crow Creek and Dry Creek. The Cheyenne, Wyoming Metropolitan Area had a 2010 population of Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne 91,738, making it the 354th most populous metropolitan area in the United States. The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad brought hopes of prosperity to the region when it reached Cheyenne on November 13, 1867. The population at 1 History the time numbered over 4,000, and grew rapidly.[11] This rapid growth earned the city the nickname “Magic City [11] See also: Timeline of Cheyenne, Wyoming of the Plains”. On July 5, 1867, General Grenville M. Dodge and his In 1867, Fort D. A. Russell was established, three miles west of the city. The fort was later renamed Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. The Wyoming State Capitol was constructed between 1886 and 1890, with further improvements being com- pleted in 1917. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association met at The Cheyenne Club, which allegedly acted as an interim government for the territory. Many of the WSGA’s rules and regulations became state laws. The Cheyenne Regional Airport was opened in 1920, ini- tially serving as a stop for airmail. It soon developed into a civil-military airport, serving DC-3s and various military craft. During World War II, hundreds of B-17s, B- 24s, and PBYs were outfitted and upgraded at the airfield. Bird’s eye view of Cheyenne in 1882 Today, it serves a number of military functions, as well as a high-altitude testbed for civilian craft.[12] survey crew platted the site now known as Cheyenne in Dakota Territory (later Wyoming Territory). This site was chosen as the point at which the Union Pacific Rail- road crossed Crow Creek, a tributary of the South Platte 2 Geography and climate River. The city was not named by Dodge, as his mem- oirs state, but rather by friends who accompanied him 2.1 Geography to the area Dodge called “Crow Creek Crossing”.[11] It was named for the American Indian Cheyenne nation, Cheyenne is located at 41°8′44″N 104°48′7″W one of the most famous and prominent Great Plains tribes / 41.14556°N 104.80194°W (41.145548, closely allied with the Arapaho. −104.802042).[13] Lying near the southeast corner 1 2 3 DEMOGRAPHICS an average 2,980 hours (~67% of the possible total) of sunshine annually. On July 16, 1979 an F3 tornado struck Cheyenne causing one death and 40 injuries.[17] It was the most destructive tornado in Wyoming history.[18] 3 Demographics At the 2005–2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, the city’s population was 87.2% White or Eu- ropean American (79.3% non-Hispanic White alone), 12.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race), 4.5% Black or View from the International Space Station African American, 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% Asian and 6.4% from some other race.[25] 22.5% of the total population had a Bachelor’s degree or of the state, it is one of the least centrally located state higher. capitals in the nation (together with cities such as Carson City, Nevada; Juneau, Alaska; and Topeka, Kansas). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city 3.1 2010 census has a total area of 24.63 square miles (63.79 km2), of As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 59,466 people, which, 24.52 square miles (63.51 km2) is land and 0.11 25,557 households, and 15,269 families residing in the square miles (0.28 km2) is water.[2] city. The population density was 2,425.2 inhabitants per square mile (936.4/km2). There were 27,283 housing units at an average density of 1,112.7 per square mile 2.2 Climate (429.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.44% European American, 2.88% African American, 0.96% Cheyenne, like most of the rest of Wyoming, is semi- Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, arid (Köppen BSk), and is part of USDA Hardiness zone 4.0% from other races, and 3.28%% from two or more 5b, with the suburbs falling in zone 5a.[14] Winters are races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.45% of the cold and moderately long, but relatively dry, with a De- population. cember average of 28.8 °F (−1.8 °C), highs that fail to breach freezing occur 35 days per year, and lows dip to There were 25,557 households of which 30.2% had chil- the 0 °F (−18 °C) mark on 9.2 nights.[15] However, the dren under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were cold is often interrupted, with chinook winds blowing married couples living together, 12.0% had a female downslope from the Rockies that can bring warm con- householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male ditions, bringing the high above 50 °F (10 °C) on 20 days householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non- from December to February.[15] Snowfall is greatest in families. 33.5% of all households were made up of in- March and April, seasonally averaging 60 inches (152 dividuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was cm), historically ranging from 13.1 in (33 cm) in 1965– 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 66 to 121.5 in (309 cm) in 1979–80, yet thick snow cover 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92. rarely stays.[16] Summers are warm, with a high diurnal The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 24% of resi- temperature range; July averages 69.4 °F (20.8 °C), and dents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the highs reach 90 °F (32 °C) on an average 12 days annu- ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% ally. Spring and autumn are quick transitions, with the were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or average window for freezing temperatures being Septem- older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male ber 29 thru May 14, allowing a growing season of 106 and 50.7% female. days.[15] Official record temperatures range from −38 °F (−39 °C) on January 9, 1875, up to 100 °F (38 °C) on June 23, 1954, the last of four occurrences; the record 3.2 2000 census cold daily maximum is −21 °F (−29 °C) on January 11, 1963, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 53,011 peo- is 68 °F (20 °C) on July 31, 1960.[15] The annual pre- ple, 22,324 households, 14,175 families residing in the cipitation of 15.9 in (400 mm) tends to be concentrated city, and 81,607 people residing in the Metropolitan Sta- from May to August and is low during fall and winter; it tistical Area making it the largest city and metropoli- has historically ranged from 5.04 in (128 mm) in 1876 to tan area in the state of Wyoming. The population den- 23.69 in (602 mm) in 1942.[15] The city averages below sity was 2,511.4 inhabitants per square mile (969.6/km²). 60% daily relative humidity in each month and receives There were 23,782 housing units at an average density of 5.2 Colleges and universities 3 1,126.7 per square mile (435.0/km²). The racial makeup 5.2 Colleges and universities of the city was 78.1% White or European American, 2.8% Black or African American, 0.8% Native Ameri- Cheyenne is home to the Laramie County Community can, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.4% from other College (LCCC), as well as a branch of the Institute races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 12.5% of the of Business & Medical Careers, and a branch of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. University of Phoenix. There were 22,324 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% 6 Economy were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household Government is the largest sector of Cheyenne’s economy. size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93. The state of Wyoming operates a multitude of offices in downtown Cheyenne. Many area residents are employed The city has a wide range of ages-groups, with 24.9% by or are dependent on the U.S.

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