Wyoming
Wyoming Is Growing… Older, Not Faster
Wyoming is still gaining residents, but the real story isn’t how many people are moving in — it’s how quickly the state’s population is aging. Births are barely keeping up with deaths, and with fewer young people to replace them, Wyoming is entering a new era where older residents are quietly reshaping the economy, communities, and the future of the state itself.
According to the latest U.S. Census estimates, Wyoming’s population reached about 588,753 in July 2025, an increase of just over 2,000 people from a year earlier. That works out to about 0.3 percent growth — still upward, but slow. And most of that growth is coming from people moving here, not babies being born. Natural growth — the difference between births and deaths — added fewer than 300 people during the year. That reflects years of lower birth rates and a growing number of older residents.
Wyoming’s aging trend is among the fastest in the country.
The number of residents age 65 and older grew at a faster rate than the overall population, making the state’s median age rise more quickly than the national average. Analysts say this is driven by the large baby boomer cohort moving into retirement and by younger generations leaving the state.
Wenlin Liu, chief economist with the state’s Economic Analysis Division, bluntly described the demographic shift: the state’s older population is growing fast, while outmigration of young people and lower birth rates continue to shrink the pool of working-age Wyomingites. That’s already contributing to labor shortages in key sectors.
The trend is real and concerning.
Josh Dorrell, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, has warned lawmakers that Wyoming faces a “chicken‑and‑egg” problem: there aren’t enough jobs to keep young people here, and without more young people it’s harder to build the kinds of economies that create jobs in the first place. “We don’t have enough people to attract the jobs and we don’t have enough jobs to attract the people,” Dorrell told a legislative committee last summer.
Surveys of Wyoming residents mirror that concern. A recent poll presented to county officials found that most voters want stronger action to grow local economies and create opportunities to keep young people from leaving. Dorrell noted that two out of every three Wyoming‑born adults move away by their mid‑20s, often because they can’t find the jobs they want close to home.
The demographic shift carries consequences beyond just census numbers. An aging population has different needs — more health care services, more senior‑friendly housing, more support systems — while the shrinking share of younger adults can shrink the labor force available for schools, hospitals, factories and small businesses.
Despite the state’s strong job market — with unemployment remaining low — leaders worry about what happens next when more boomers retire and fewer young workers are around to replace them.
Wyoming’s growth story may still be positive on the surface, but the deeper reality is that the Cowboy State is aging faster than it’s growing younger. That shift is already changing communities from Cheyenne to Sheridan, and may have long‑lasting effects on the state’s economy, schools, and way of life in the years ahead.
Big Horn Polo Club Pegasus Cup
The Big Horn Polo club was established in 1898. Today’s match (August 17, 2025) was the Pegasus Polo Cup in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. Spectators are encouraged to come to Sunday polo for an afternoon of tailgating! The admission is free! There are bleachers and an announcer for each Sunday game. Concessions are availble for food and drinks.
Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media
Casper College Student Move In Day
Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media
Central Wyoming Rodeo-Wednesday
Central Wyoming Rodeo-Wednesday
Gallery Credit: Libby Ngo
Living the outdoor lifestyle is one of the major attractions of Wyoming for residents. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife, and sightseeing bring millions of people to visit each year. Conservation plays a significant role in keeping those options available for everyone, and it takes many people working together to make that happen.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department relies on those who are passionate about conserving the Wyoming way of life, and there are always those who go above and beyond. That’s why WGFD is now taking nominations for the 2026 class of the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant and lasting lifetime contributions to the conservation of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage. Since 2004, it has recognized individuals who have worked consistently over many years to conserve Wyoming’s natural resources through volunteer service, environmental restoration, educational activities, audio/visual and written media, the arts and political and individual leadership.
Historic names like President Theodore Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy, James H. “Jim” Bridger, and Buffalo Bill Cody are among the names who have been etched into Wyoming history by being inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame.
Could your name be next to those? Absolutely, if you meet the criteria.
The following represents standards for induction into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Selection Committee shall use these standards as a written guide in making inductee selections. but shall not be limited to only these standards:
- Whether the nominee’s contribution was of such a nature as to have statewide, inter-state or national significance;
- Whether the nominee’s contribution affected a wide range of natural resources and their
use; - Whether the nominee’s contributions were made in a manner that will enable them to be
measured in the context of past inductee or nominee contributions, and in the historical
setting of the time in which he or she lived, or lives; - The nominee must have influenced conservation in Wyoming through a sustained and
outstanding contribution during the course of their employment, or through volunteer efforts, in at least one – and preferably several – of the following areas:- Environmental law enforcement
- Applied resource management
- Conservation education
- Conservation policy formation, legislation, and public leadership
- Conservation-oriented research
- Conservation literature, art, or journalism
- Volunteer or paid efforts in the interest of conservation
- If the nominee is a living person, to be considered, they shall be at a stage in their career where their contributions to conservation are undeniable and unlikely to be impugned by any present or future endeavors.
On top of the Hall of Fame nominations, WGFD is looking for nominations for the Wyoming Youth Conservationist of the Year award. This award honors residents 18 and under for their leadership and achievements in conservation.
The nomination process is simple and will be open until March 31.
To nominate someone for the Hall of Fame: HERE is a step-by-step guide.
To nominate someone 18 and younger for the Youth Conservationist of the Year award: HERE is a step-by-step guide.
PHOTOS: Wyoming Outdoor Weekend
Top 25 Wild Mammals That Call Wyoming Home
Wyoming is home to well over 100 mammal species.
Gallery Credit: Getty Images
Vitti urges Michigan leaders to see what Detroit schools are doing
Super Bowl Experience coming to San Francisco
Dallas says rainbow crosswalks will be removed within 90 days
Survivor fans pack Jungle Island as new themed café opens in Miami
Boston College Men’s hockey takes down Boston University ahead of Beanpot
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Map: 2.4-Magnitude Earthquake Reported in New Jersey
Don Lemon could face up to a year in prison if convicted on criminal charges
Welcome onboard the ultimate ‘last-mile’ self-driving shuttle bus
Alex Pretti shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis prompts DOJ civil rights probe
AOC voices support for anti-ICE shutdown, declines to participate
-
Illinois1 week agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Pennsylvania5 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Science1 week agoContributor: New food pyramid is a recipe for health disasters
-
Technology1 week agoRing claims it’s not giving ICE access to its cameras
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: In ‘Mercy,’ Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge
-
News1 week agoVideo: Jack Smith Defends His Trump Indictments During House Hearing
-
Politics1 week agoSupreme Court appears ready to keep Lisa Cook on Federal Reserve board despite Trump efforts to fire her
-
Politics5 days agoTrump’s playbook falters in crisis response to Minneapolis shooting
