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Laramie, WY

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Laramie, WY

Laramie is a city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States, known for its high elevation at 7,200 feet (2,200 m), railroad history, and as the higher-education center for the state of Wyoming. The population was estimated at 31,407 in 2020, making it the 4th most populous city in Wyoming. Located on the Laramie River in southeastern Wyoming, the city is west of Cheyenne and 25 miles (40 km) north of the Colorado state line, at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287.

After 12,000 years or more of Indigenous populations living in the area, Laramie was settled by European Americans in 1868 with the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad line to the area, which crosses the Laramie River at Laramie. The river and several creeks fed by freshwater springs made the area an attractive place for settlement. It is home to the University of Wyoming, WyoTech, and a branch of Laramie County Community College. Laramie Regional Airport serves Laramie. The ruins of Fort Sanders, an army fort predating Laramie, lie just south of the city along Route 287. Located in the Laramie Valley between the Snowy Range and the Laramie Range, the city draws outdoor enthusiasts with its abundance of outdoor activities.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.76 square miles (46.00 km²), of which 17.74 square miles (45.95 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

Laramie is on a high plain between two mountain ranges, the Snowy Range, about 30 miles (48 km) to the west, and the Laramie Range, 7 miles (11 km) to the east. The city's elevation above sea level is approximately 7,165 feet (2,184 m). The Laramie River runs through Laramie toward its confluence with the North Platte River east of the Laramie Range.

The city is about 50 miles (80 km) west of Cheyenne, and 130 miles (209 km) north of Denver, Colorado. Laramie lies along U.S. Route 30, Interstate 80, and U.S. Route 287, and it remains an important junction on the Union Pacific Railroad line.

Laramie is named for Jacques LaRamie, a French or French-Canadian trapper who disappeared in the Laramie Mountains in the early 1820s. He was one of the first Europeans to visit the area. European-American settlers named a river, mountain range, peak, US Army fort, county, and city for him. More Wyoming landmarks are named for him than for any other trapper but Jim Bridger. Because the name was used so frequently, the town was called Laramie City for decades to distinguish it from other uses.

The city was founded in the mid-1860s as a tent city near the Overland Stage Line route, the Union Pacific portion of the first transcontinental railroad, and just north of Fort Sanders army post. The rails reached Laramie on May 4, 1868, when construction crews worked through town. A few passengers arrived on that same day. The first regular passenger service began on May 10, 1868, by which time entrepreneurs were building more permanent structures. Laramie City (as it was known in its early years) soon had stores, houses, a school, and churches. Laramie's fame as the western terminal of the Union Pacific Railroad, acquired when the 268-mile (431 km) section from North Platte, Nebraska was opened in May, ended in early August 1868 when a 93-mile (150 km) section of track was opened to Benton, 6 miles (9.7 km) east of present-day Sinclair, Wyoming.

Health and wellness are paramount in Laramie, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Ivinson Memorial Hospital stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Laramie Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Studio Thrive, Altitude Fitness, and Laramie Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Laramie, such as the Reynolds Hill Loop and Skeleton Trail and Cow Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Laramie, WY are Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, the University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie Plains Museum, and Geological Museum.

Population: 32,957 (2024). ZIP codes: 82070, 82072. Area code: 307. Elevation: 7,165 ft (2,184 m). Area: 18.38 sq mi (47.61 km²).

FAQs

What is something special about Laramie, WY?

Laramie, Wyoming, is known as the “Gem City of the Plains” due to being the first Rocky Mountain city to have electricity. Beyond that, the town is known for its railroad history, Wild West outlaws of days gone by and the University of Wyoming that calls Laramie home. The top attractions to visit in Laramie are the Laramie Plains Museum, Wyoming Women’s History House, Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Vedauwoo, the Geological Museum at the University of Wyoming, the Williams Conservatory and Medicine Bow National Forest.

Is Laramie, WY expensive to live in?

Laramie is part of Laramie Micro metro area, which is ranked 177 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Laramie is estimated to be 91.6% of the national average making it an average US city. The median household income in Laramie is $45,299, which is 33% less than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $20,250, which is 44% less than that of the state. The average rent in Laramie (located in Laramie Micro) metro area for a 2-bed home is $960, which is 34% less than the average rent across the US.

Why is Laramie, WY famous?

Laramie has a lot of history because it was settled during the 1800s by pioneers who traveled west to find land for cattle ranching. This city became popular in the late 1860s because it was part of a stage route and railway line, making it an easier place to visit and settle. Railroads were an integral part of the city’s beginnings, providing jobs for local residents. If you enjoy learning about the history of stagecoaches and railroads, then this is a fantastic place for you to live.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Laramie

Ivinson Memorial Hospital 

Laramie Parks and Recreation Department 

Studio Thrive

Altitude Fitness 

Laramie Fitness

Reynolds Hill Loop 

Skeleton Trail and Cow Trail

Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site

University of Wyoming Art Museum

Laramie Plains Museum

Geological Museum

Travel Wyoming

Wyoming Magazine

Flyhomes

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