More than half of Wyoming counties added population in 2025

CHEYENNE (WNE) —- As of July 2025, Wyoming’s resident population reached 588,753, reflecting moderate growth, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

This marks an annual increase of 2,031 individuals, or 0.3%, which is slightly lower than the national growth rate of 0.5% observed from July 2024.

Fifteen counties experienced population increases from July 2024 to July 2025. The most populous county, Laramie, led the state with the fastest growth rate (1.2%), followed by Niobrara (1.1%). Johnson, Lincoln and Sheridan counties also demonstrated a higher growth rate of 0.9%, respectively. 

In contrast, Carbon, Fremont and Washakie counties experienced the steepest decreases, 0.5% each.

Two factors contribute to population change: natural change from vital events and net migration from people’s movement. 

The natural change, calculated as 6,070 births minus 5,775 deaths, was 295. The estimated net migration — defined as in-migration minus out-migration — was 1,732, indicating that 1,732 more persons moved into Wyoming than moved out of the state between July 2024 and July 2025. In contrast, net migration was 1,781 in 2024 but 2,592 in 2023, respectively.

Regionally, nearly two-thirds of Wyoming’s counties showed positive net migration from 2024 to 2025, led by Laramie (1,120), followed by Sheridan (338), Natrona (275) and Lincoln (163).

Since the April 1, 2020 Census, Wyoming’s population has increased by 11,881 or 2.1%, which is slower than the U.S. rate of 3.1%. Crook (9.3%), Lincoln (8.2%) and Sheridan (7.5%) counties demonstrated faster growth, while Laramie and Sheridan counties added the most residents, over 2,300 each.

This story was published on March 27, 2026.