County population increases slightly

Weston County is one of the 11 counties in Wyoming that gained residents in 2024, according to a March 13 release from the Wyoming Economic and Analysis Division.

According to the report, from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, Weston County added 38 people to its population, an increase of 0.8%. The estimated population as of July 1, 2024, was 6,866.

The report also shows that Weston County’s population has increased by 28 or 0.4% from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2024. The population in 2020 was reported to be 6,838.

Crook County, Weston’s neighbor to the north, saw the largest increase in population statewide from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, the report shows.

“Crook County led the state with the fastest growth rate (2.4%), followed by Albany (1.7%) and Sheridan (1.2%) counties. Niobrara and Washakie counties experienced the steepest decreases, -1.1 percent and -1.0 percent, respectively,” the report says.

Statewide, the report shows an increase of 2,551 individuals, or 0.4%, during the same time period. As of July 2024, Wyoming’s population is reported to have reached 587,618.

According to the report, “there are two factors that contribute to population change: natural change from vital events and net migration from people’s movement.”

Looking at the breakdown for Weston County, natural change resulted in the loss of 28 individuals. The report shows 42 births from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, and 70 deaths during the same period.

For migration, Weston County is shown to have had an increase of 67 with 68 people moving into the area and only one relocating outside the county. The report notes that these numbers are estimates.