Big Horn County, Wyoming

Big Horn County
County
Location within the state of Wyoming
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
Founded	1896
County seat	Basin
Area
• Total	3,159 sq mi (8,180 km2)
• Land	3,137 sq mi (8,120 km2)
• Water	22 sq mi (60 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	11,521
• Density	3.6/sq mi (1.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)

Big Horn County is a county located in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 11,521. The county seat is Basin, and the largest town is Lovell.

History

Big Horn County was created by the Wyoming Legislature on March 12, 1890, and was organized in 1896. It was named for the Bighorn River, which runs through the county. The county was originally much larger, but parts of it were used to create Park, Washakie, and Hot Springs counties.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,159 square miles (8,180 km²), of which 3,137 square miles (8,120 km²) is land and 22 square miles (57 km²) (0.7%) is water.

The county is characterized by its diverse geography, which includes the Bighorn Mountains to the east and the Bighorn Basin to the west. The Bighorn River flows through the county, providing water resources and recreational opportunities.

Adjacent counties

• Park County (west)
• Washakie County (south)
• Hot Springs County (southeast)
• Sheridan County (northeast)
• Big Horn County, Montana (north)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 11,521 people, 4,500 households, and 3,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 3.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native American, Hispanic or Latino, and other races.

Economy

The economy of Big Horn County is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from oil and gas extraction, tourism, and manufacturing. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate make it suitable for growing crops such as sugar beets, barley, and alfalfa.

Education

Big Horn County is served by several school districts, including Big Horn County School District Number 1, Big Horn County School District Number 2, and Big Horn County School District Number 3. These districts provide education from elementary through high school levels.

Transportation

Major highways in Big Horn County include:

• Template:US Route
• Template:US Route
• Template:US Route

The county is also served by the South Big Horn County Airport and the North Big Horn County Airport, which provide general aviation services.

Communities

Towns

• Basin
• Byron
• Cowley
• Deaver
• Frannie
• Greybull
• Lovell
• Manderson

Census-designated places

• Burlington

Attractions

Big Horn County is home to several attractions, including the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, which offers stunning views and outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. The Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark is also located in the county, providing cultural and historical insights into the region's Native American heritage.

External links

• Big Horn County Government
• Big Horn County History