Thermopolis, Wyoming
Thermopolis, Wyoming | |
|---|---|
 Thermopolis viewed from Roundtop Mountain | |
| Nickname: "Thermop" "T-Town" | |
| Motto(s): "A Past To Behold, A Future To Uphold" | |
 Location of Thermopolis in Hot Springs County, Wyoming. | |
  Thermopolis, Wyoming Location in Wyoming  Thermopolis, Wyoming Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 43°38′52″N 108°12′50″W / 43.64778°N 108.21389°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Hot Springs |
| Named after | Greek for "Hot City", named for the county's natural hot springs |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.47 sq mi (6.39 km2) |
| • Land | 2.39 sq mi (6.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,334 ft (1,321 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,725 |
| • Density | 1,157.94/sq mi (447.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 82443 |
| Area code | 307 |
| FIPS code | 56-76515[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413384[1] |
| Website | www |
Thermopolis is the county seat and most populous town in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, United States.[5] As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the town population was 2,725.
Thermopolis, Greek for "hot city", is the location of numerous natural hot springs, in which mineral-laden waters are heated by geothermal processes.[6]
The town claims the world's largest mineral hot spring, "The Big Spring", as part of Hot Springs State Park. The springs are open to the public for free as part of an 1896 treaty signed with the Shoshone and Arapaho Indian tribes.
Geography
[edit]Thermopolis is located near the northern end of the Wind River Canyon and Wedding of the Waters, where the north-flowing Wind River becomes the Bighorn River, an instance of a river changing names at a point other than a confluence of two streams. The dual name is ascribed to the mountain barrier between the Wind River and Bighorn basins, obscuring the fact that the river that drains the two is the same. The term "Wedding of the Waters" dates to at least 1934, when a marker was placed at the location.[7]
Thermopolis is ringed by mountains, with the Big Horn Mountains to the northeast, the Bridger Mountains to the southeast, the Owl Creek Mountains to the southwest and the Absaroka Range to the northwest. Thermopolis is the southernmost municipality in the Bighorn Basin.
Roundtop Mountain, on the northern edge of town, is a geological formation shaped much like a volcano. It sits at approximately 6,000 feet (1,800 m) above sea level and is the highest area in the immediate vicinity of Thermopolis.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.47 square miles (6.40 km2), of which 2.38 square miles (6.16 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water.[9]
Climate
[edit]According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Thermopolis has a cool semi-arid climate, abbreviated BSk on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Thermopolis was 107 °F (42 °C) on July 25, 1929, while the coldest temperature recorded was −44 °F (−42 °C) on January 16, 1930.[10]
| Climate data for Thermopolis, Wyoming, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
70 (21) |
80 (27) |
89 (32) |
98 (37) |
105 (41) |
107 (42) |
106 (41) |
102 (39) |
92 (33) |
77 (25) |
78 (26) |
107 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 53.9 (12.2) |
57.4 (14.1) |
70.3 (21.3) |
79.6 (26.4) |
87.8 (31.0) |
95.9 (35.5) |
100.6 (38.1) |
98.6 (37.0) |
93.9 (34.4) |
82.6 (28.1) |
67.6 (19.8) |
55.9 (13.3) |
101.1 (38.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 37.3 (2.9) |
41.6 (5.3) |
54.0 (12.2) |
61.9 (16.6) |
71.4 (21.9) |
82.9 (28.3) |
91.8 (33.2) |
89.8 (32.1) |
79.7 (26.5) |
64.5 (18.1) |
48.6 (9.2) |
37.5 (3.1) |
63.4 (17.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 24.4 (−4.2) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
39.8 (4.3) |
47.6 (8.7) |
57.0 (13.9) |
66.8 (19.3) |
74.5 (23.6) |
72.4 (22.4) |
62.7 (17.1) |
49.1 (9.5) |
35.1 (1.7) |
24.9 (−3.9) |
48.6 (9.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 11.5 (−11.4) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
33.4 (0.8) |
42.5 (5.8) |
50.6 (10.3) |
57.1 (13.9) |
55.0 (12.8) |
45.7 (7.6) |
33.8 (1.0) |
21.7 (−5.7) |
12.3 (−10.9) |
33.7 (1.0) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −10.9 (−23.8) |
−6.7 (−21.5) |
7.2 (−13.8) |
18.9 (−7.3) |
29.5 (−1.4) |
39.4 (4.1) |
48.5 (9.2) |
45.1 (7.3) |
32.8 (0.4) |
16.5 (−8.6) |
0.6 (−17.4) |
−9.1 (−22.8) |
−17.0 (−27.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −44 (−42) |
−42 (−41) |
−28 (−33) |
−6 (−21) |
12 (−11) |
24 (−4) |
34 (1) |
23 (−5) |
7 (−14) |
−11 (−24) |
−28 (−33) |
−38 (−39) |
−44 (−42) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.39 (9.9) |
0.44 (11) |
0.85 (22) |
1.63 (41) |
2.53 (64) |
1.31 (33) |
0.76 (19) |
0.50 (13) |
1.21 (31) |
1.27 (32) |
0.60 (15) |
0.46 (12) |
11.95 (302.9) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.4 (14) |
4.9 (12) |
2.3 (5.8) |
2.2 (5.6) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
2.1 (5.3) |
5.5 (14) |
4.5 (11) |
27.4 (68.97) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 58.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 13.3 |
| Source 1: NOAA[11] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[10] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 299 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,524 | 409.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,005 | 31.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,129 | 6.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,422 | 13.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,870 | 18.5% | |
| 1960 | 3,955 | 37.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,063 | −22.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,852 | 25.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,247 | −15.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,172 | −2.3% | |
| 2010 | 3,009 | −5.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,725 | −9.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,742 | 0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] | |||
2010 census
[edit]As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 3,009 people, 1,389 households, and 818 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,264.3 inhabitants per square mile (488.1/km2). There were 1,583 housing units at an average density of 665.1 per square mile (256.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.4% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 1,389 households, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.70.
The median age in the town was 47 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
2000 census
[edit]As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,172 people, 1,342 households, and 849 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,331.0 people per square mile (514.6/km2). There were 1,568 housing units at an average density of 657.9 per square mile (254.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.90% White, 0.47% African American, 1.70% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 1,342 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. Gender makeup for this period was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,205, and the median income for a family was $38,448. Males had a median income of $26,824 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,648. About 8.3% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
[edit]Tourism
[edit]Hot Springs State Park extends into the town, and tourism is of economic importance to Thermopolis.[8] A state maintained herd of American Bison reside in the park.
Downtown Thermopolis Historic District is located here.
Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center features memorabilia from local pioneers from 1890 through 1910.[13]
The annual 3-on-3 Hot Spot Shootout Basketball Tournament was founded in 1993. Up to 60 temporary basketball courts are constructed on city streets in the downtown area.[14]
Education
[edit]Public education in the town of Thermopolis is provided by Hot Springs County School District #1[15] It is the only school district in the county. HSCSD1 includes Ralph Witters Elementary School, Thermopolis Middle School, Hot Springs County High School, and a building for the county auditorium and district administrative offices, all in Thermopolis. Lucerne Intermediate School, a facility for fourth and fifth graders located in Lucerne, closed in 2005. Fourth and fifth graders now attend the recently expanded Ralph Witters Elementary in Thermopolis.[16]
Media
[edit]The Thermopolis Independent Record, a weekly newspaper, has been published since 1901 and has a circulation of 1,800.[17] Classic country station KDNO and Wyoming Public Media classical music affiliate KUWT both broadcast from Thermopolis.[18][19][20]
Infrastructure
[edit]Health care
[edit]Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital is a full-service hospital located in Thermopolis. It is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital.[citation needed]
Transportation
[edit]Highways
[edit]Transit
[edit]Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow.[21]
Airport
[edit]Thermopolis is served by the Hot Springs County–Thermopolis Municipal Airport near Grass Creek, Wyoming.
Notable people
[edit]- Wyatt Agar, a Republican member of the Wyoming Senate (2017–2021)
- Don Bracken (1962–2014), American football punter
- Clayton Danks (1879–1970), Three-time Cheyenne Frontier Days winner[22][23]
- Mike Enzi (1944–2021), United States Senator from Wyoming (1997–2021)[24]
- Dave Freudenthal (born 1950), governor of Wyoming (2003–2011)
- Steve Freudenthal (born 1949), the 28th Attorney General of Wyoming
- W. Michael Gear, a writer and archaeologist
- Kathleen O'Neal Gear, a writer and archaeologist
- Morris H. Hansen, a statistician who was born in Thermopolis
- Matthew Kirby, first male nursing student in Wyoming.[citation needed]
- Dora McGrath, the first woman elected to the Wyoming State Senate
- John Rankine (1923-1996), politician
- Barton R. Voigt, former Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court
- John Winter, Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
- Nathan Winters, former Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
References
[edit]- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Thermopolis, Wyoming
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Profile for Thermopolis, Wyoming, WY". ePodunk. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ Dayton, Kelsey (April 6, 2018). "The Wedding of the Waters". WyoFile. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
- ^ a b About Thermopolis Archived September 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Accessed 090728.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ Wyoming Tourism entry on Thermopolis Archived September 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Home". www.hoopworldbasketball.com. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Springs County High School". Archived from the original on May 6, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ Hot Springs County School District #1 Archived June 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Accessed 090728.
- ^ "About Thermopolis Independent Record". www.thermopir.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Wyoming Public Media expands jazz and classical networks". Wyoming Arts Council. August 10, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "KDNO Classic Country - WyoToday.com". April 12, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Radio stations in Thermopolis, Wyoming - Radio Lineup". www.radiolineup.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Express Arrow Locations". Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "Kelsey Bray, Blazin' saddle". Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ "Clayton Danks". records.ancestry.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
- ^ Johnson, Greg (January 8, 2021). "Recently retired Wyoming senator settling back in at home". AP Press. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
External links
[edit]
Municipalities and communities of Hot Springs County, Wyoming, United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated community | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
