Income and Poverty in the State of Wyoming

As the median household income witnessed a growth during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the State of Wyoming, the Race/Ethnicity group that went through the most dramatic growth in the household income level was the Black or African American Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced an increase of 50.8 percent from 2000 to 2005. The American Indian and Alaska Native population group was least impacted by the household income growth in Wyoming, experiencing a 39.5 percent decline in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

The poverty rate in the State of Wyoming has declined by 1.9 percent since the 2000 rates, moving from 11.4 percent to 9.5 percent.

When analyzed against other States in the US, the State of Wyoming had a medium-low median household income of $44,334 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 10.8 percent lower than the median for the rest of the nation, which is a reported $49,133.

The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Wyoming reported a median household income of $28,464, this median was 35.8 percent less than the median income level in this area. Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 15.3 percent less than the total 2000 reported median, with a their median reported to be $37,555. The Asian householders in the area have reported their median household incomes at $47,143. This income level is 6.3 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the state, for all households. In the State of Wyoming, White headed households reported a median household income (2005 Dollars) of $45,122 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 1.8 percent greater than the median income in 2000. Hispanic headed households in Wyoming, according to the 2000 census, had a median household income of $35,612, this income level is 19.7 percent less than the median reported for all households in the area.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Wyoming range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $63,898 in Teton County to a low of $33,684 in Albany County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of Wyoming
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Teton County ($63,898)
2. Campbell County ($57,957 )
3. Sweetwater County ($54,448)
4. Uinta County ($52,116)
5. Lincoln County ($47,729)
6. Laramie County ($46,340)
7. Converse County ($46,336)
8. Sublette County ($45,681)
9. Natrona County ($42,844)
10. Carbon County ($42,190)


The household income has increased from the values (adjusted for inflation) in 2000. The median has increased to $46,202, posting a 4.2 percent growth. The State of Wyoming ranks 2 of 5 states when analyzing the growth in median income level for the United States.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Wyoming range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 21 percent in Albany County to a low of 6 percent in Teton County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of Wyoming
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Albany County (21 percent)
2. Fremont County (17.6 )
3. Big Horn County (14.1 percent)
4. Washakie County (14.1 percent)
5. Goshen County (13.9 percent)
6. Niobrara County (13.4 percent)
7. Carbon County (12.9 percent)
8. Park County (12.7 percent)
9. Natrona County (11.8 percent)
10. Platte County (11.7 percent)


Evaluated with other States across the nation, the State of Wyoming can be recognized as having a medium-high rate of poverty among its population, accounting a rate of 11.4 percent of people living in a family with an income below the poverty level in 1999. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 36.1 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years have the most percent of people living in poverty in Wyoming, reporting 17.9 percent of this age cohort living in poverty.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.