# Lincoln County, Wyoming

Lincoln County is a county in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 19,581. Its county seat is Kemmerer. Its western border abuts the eastern borders of the states of Idaho and Utah.

## History

Lincoln County was created February 21, 1911, with land detached from Uinta County. Its government was organized in 1913.
The county was named for Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States.
In 1921, portions of Lincoln County were annexed to create Sublette County and Teton County, leaving Lincoln County with its present borders.

## Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,095 square miles (10,610 km$^2$), of which 4,076 square miles (10,560 km$^2$) is land and 19 square miles (49 km$^2$) (0.5%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Teton County – north
* Sublette County – northeast
* Sweetwater County – east
* Uinta County – south
* Rich County, Utah – southwest
* Bear Lake County, Idaho – west
* Caribou County, Idaho – northwest
* Bonneville County, Idaho – northwest

### National protected areas

* Bridger-Teton National Forest (part)
* Caribou-Targhee National Forest (part)
* Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
* Fossil Butte National Monument

## Demographics
### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 19,581 people, 7,545 households, and 5,386 families in Lincoln County, Wyoming. The population density was 4.8 per square mile (1.9/km$^2$). There were 9,489 housing units at an average density of 2.3 per square mile (0.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 91.78% (17,971) white or European American (90.58% non-Hispanic white), 0.2% (40) black or African-American, 0.56% (110) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.51% (99) Asian, 0.11% (21) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.25% (440) from other races, and 4.6% (900) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.9% (959) of the population.
Of the 7,545 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18; 60.6% were married couples living together; 16.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 24.0% of households consisted of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.3. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 15.5% of the population.
26.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 96.8 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $71,898 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,107). The median family income was $89,792 (+/- $8,048). Males had a median income of $49,994 (+/- $2,287) versus $25,055 (+/- $1,647) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,877 (+/- $3,801). Approximately, 3.4% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2014 American Community Survey

According to the 2014 American Community Survey, the largest ancestries/ethnicities in Lincoln County, Wyoming were:
* 27.3% were of English ancestry
* 17.9% were of German ancestry
* 10.6% were of "American" ancestry
* 7.5% were of Irish ancestry
* 4.2% were of Italian ancestry.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 18,106 people, 6,861 households, and 4,957 families in the county. The population density was 4.4 people per square mile (1.7 people/km$^2$). There were 8,946 housing units at an average density of 2.2 units per square mile (0.85 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 2.0% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.7% were English, 20.1% were American, 19.2% were German, 7.5% were Irish, and 5.0% were Italian.
Of the 6,861 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.8% were non-families, and 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 37.4 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $57,794 and the median income for a family was $65,347. Males had a median income of $49,087 versus $30,539 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,421. About 4.6% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 14,573 people, 5,266 households, and 3,949 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km$^2$). There were 6,831 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.15% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.0% were of English, 14.6% German, 9.5% American and 6.1% Irish ancestry.
There were 5,266 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.23.
The county population contained 30.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,794, and the median income for a family was $44,919. Males had a median income of $37,353 versus $20,928 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,533. About 6.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

There are three school districts that cover portions of the county:
* Lincoln County School District Number 1, which includes Kemmerer High School
* Lincoln County School District Number 2, which includes Star Valley High School.
* Sublette County School District 9

## Politics

Lincoln County voters are reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party nominee.
United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Wyoming :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 8,957 | 82.63% | 1,623 | 14.97% | 260 | 2.40% |
| 2020 | 8,643 | 82.57% | 1,509 | 14.42% | 316 | 3.02% |
| 2016 | 6,779 | 76.38% | 1,105 | 12.45% | 991 | 11.17% |
| 2012 | 7,144 | 82.90% | 1,287 | 14.93% | 187 | 2.17% |
| 2008 | 6,485 | 75.69% | 1,823 | 21.28% | 260 | 3.03% |
| 2004 | 6,423 | 81.16% | 1,364 | 17.24% | 127 | 1.60% |
| 2000 | 5,415 | 79.11% | 1,184 | 17.30% | 246 | 3.59% |
| 1996 | 3,764 | 57.59% | 1,803 | 27.59% | 969 | 14.83% |
| 1992 | 2,595 | 45.08% | 1,430 | 24.84% | 1,732 | 30.09% |
| 1988 | 3,237 | 66.10% | 1,592 | 32.51% | 68 | 1.39% |
| 1984 | 3,854 | 78.32% | 1,021 | 20.75% | 46 | 0.93% |
| 1980 | 3,412 | 72.69% | 1,063 | 22.65% | 219 | 4.67% |
| 1976 | 2,464 | 60.93% | 1,555 | 38.45% | 25 | 0.62% |
| 1972 | 2,459 | 67.08% | 969 | 26.43% | 238 | 6.49% |
| 1968 | 2,030 | 57.01% | 1,246 | 34.99% | 285 | 8.00% |
| 1964 | 1,811 | 44.34% | 2,273 | 55.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,010 | 50.78% | 1,948 | 49.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,264 | 59.16% | 1,563 | 40.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 2,321 | 57.59% | 1,709 | 42.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,730 | 46.28% | 1,925 | 51.50% | 83 | 2.22% |
| 1944 | 1,649 | 43.52% | 2,140 | 56.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 1,765 | 38.33% | 2,839 | 61.65% | 1 | 0.02% |
| 1936 | 1,376 | 33.08% | 2,747 | 66.03% | 37 | 0.89% |
| 1932 | 1,673 | 41.76% | 2,275 | 56.79% | 58 | 1.45% |
| 1928 | 2,217 | 56.57% | 1,687 | 43.05% | 15 | 0.38% |
| 1924 | 1,493 | 48.25% | 576 | 18.62% | 1,025 | 33.13% |
| 1920 | 2,043 | 61.06% | 1,154 | 34.49% | 149 | 4.45% |
| 1916 | 1,426 | 36.05% | 2,378 | 60.11% | 152 | 3.84% |
| 1912 | 1,430 | 42.33% | 1,028 | 30.43% | 920 | 27.24% |

## Communities
### City

* Kemmerer (county seat)

### Towns

* Afton
* Alpine
* Cokeville
* Diamondville
* La Barge
* Opal
* Star Valley Ranch
* Thayne

### Census-designated places

* Alpine Northeast
* Alpine Northwest
* Auburn
* Bedford
* Etna
* Fairview
* Fontenelle
* Freedom
* Grover
* Nordic
* Oakley
* Osmond
* Smoot
* Taylor
* Turnerville

### Unincorporated communities

* Alpine Junction
* Border Junction
* Frontier
* Hamsfork
* Sage