Goshen County produces more cattle than any other Wyoming county. In 1997, the county had a total of 688 farms and ranches, averaging 1,840 acres. As of 2007, this had declined slightly to 665 farms and ranches in the county.[3]
History
Goshen County was created in 1911 from a portion of Laramie County. Its government was organized in 1913.[4] This area was part of territories, at one time or another, claimed by: Spain, France, Great Britain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 permanently established the claim of the United States to the area.[3]
The county was apparently named for Goshen Hole, a valley in the southwest part of the county. John C. Frémont camped in that area on July 14, 1843, and recorded that name in his journal, during an expedition on the Oregon Trail.[5] At least four conflicting stories are available for the origin of the name "Goshen Hole". The Land of Goshen in Egypt, mentioned in the 45th chapter of the Genesis in the Bible, has been suggested as the most likely. And, John Hunton, who was ranching in the area by the 1870s, was told by Seth Ward, the post sutler at Fort Laramie, that the area was named for the Biblical land. The name of Goshen Hole first appeared on a map years later, in 1888.[3]
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,232 square miles (5,780 km2), of which 2,225 square miles (5,760 km2) is land and 6.8 square miles (18 km2) (0.3%) is water.[6] The county is situated in the High Plains east of the Rocky Mountains.
There were 5,061 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.
The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,228, and the median income for a family was $40,297. Males had a median income of $27,713 versus $17,584 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,965. About 9.70% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,249 people, 5,311 households, and 3,466 families in the county.[16] The population density was 6.0 people per square mile (2.3 people/km2). There were 5,972 housing units at an average density of 2.7 units per square mile (1.0 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 94.5% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.7% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 38.3% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 15.3% were English, and 5.1% were American.[18]
Of the 5,311 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 43.6 years.[16]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,590 and the median income for a family was $51,978. Males had a median income of $38,247 versus $25,277 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,753. About 7.2% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[19]
Goshen County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. Since 1936, in only one national election did they select the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
United States presidential election results for Goshen County, Wyoming[26]
