Park County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The population was 25,786 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Cody. The county contains the majority of Yellowstone National Park's total area, including more than 53% of its land area.

History

Park County was created on February 15, 1909, and given the descriptive name as location of the Yellowstone National Park .

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,969 square miles (18,048 km²), of which, 6,942 square miles (17,981 km²) of it is land and 26 square miles (68 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Park County, Montana (north)
• Carbon County, Montana (northeast)
• Big Horn County (east)
• Washakie County (east-southeast)
• Hot Springs County (southeast)
• Fremont County (south)
• Teton County (southwest)
• Gallatin County, Montana (northwest)

Park County, Wyoming is one of the few counties in the United States to border its namesake in another state--in this case, Park County, Montana.

National protected areas

• Bridger-Teton National Forest (part)
• Shoshone National Forest (part)
• Yellowstone National Park (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,786 people, 10,312 households, and 7,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 11,869 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 3.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.3% were of German and 13.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 10,312 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,829, and the median income for a family was $41,406. Males had a median income of $33,452 versus $20,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,020. About 8.40% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

Populated places

Cities

• Cody
• Powell

Towns

• Frannie
• Meeteetse

Census-designated places

• Garland
• Ralston

Other localities

• Wapiti
• Yanceys

National park

Yellowstone National Park

Park County is a mecca for tourists. Many attractions abound, including the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Cody Stampede Rodeo, and the western museum, Old Trail Town.

References

1. " Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data." U.S. Census Bureau.
2. Joseph Nathan Kane, The American Counties (4th Ed.), (The Scarecrow Press, 1983), p271, p480