Weston County, Wyoming

WY-116

WY-585

Weston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,838. Its county seat is Newcastle. The county was created in 1890 and organized in 1891.

History

Weston County was established in 1890 from land annexed from Crook County. It was named after John Weston, a notable figure in the region's early history. The county has a rich history tied to the development of the railroad and the coal mining industry.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,400 square miles (6,200 km²), of which 2,398 square miles (6,210 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (0.09%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Crook County (north)
• Lawrence County, South Dakota (northeast)
• Pennington County, South Dakota (east)
• Custer County, South Dakota (southeast)
• Niobrara County (south)
• Converse County (southwest)
• Campbell County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 16
• U.S. Route 85
• Wyoming Highway 450

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 6,838 people, 2,935 households, and 1,890 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.9 people per square mile (1.1/km²). There were 3,356 housing units at an average density of 1.4 per square mile (0.54/km²).

Communities

City

• Newcastle (county seat)

Town

• Upton

Census-designated place

• Osage

Unincorporated communities

• Four Corners
• Hill View Heights

Politics

Weston County is a predominantly Republican county in presidential elections. The county has not voted for a Democratic candidate since 1964.

Economy

The economy of Weston County is largely based on agriculture, mining, and tourism. The county is known for its coal and uranium mining operations.

Education

Weston County is served by Weston County School District Number 1 and Weston County School District Number 7.

See also

• List of counties in Wyoming
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Weston County, Wyoming