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Sheridan, WY

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Sheridan, WY

Sheridan is a city in the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Sheridan County. The city is located halfway between Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore by U.S. Route 14 and 16. It is the principal town of the Sheridan, Wyoming, Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Sheridan County. The 2020 census put the city's population at 18,737, making it the 6th most populous city in Wyoming.

Sheridan is located at 44°47′48″N 106°57′32″W (44.796720, −106.958970). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.95 square miles (28.36 km²), of which 10.93 square miles (28.31 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

The city was named after General Philip Sheridan, Union cavalry leader in the American Civil War. Several battles between US Cavalry and the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Shoshone, and Crow Indian tribes occurred in the area in the 1860s and 1870s before the town was built.

In 1878, trapper George Mandel built a cabin on Big Goose Creek, reconstructed today in the Whitney Commons park near the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library. Jack Dow surveyed the townsite for Sheridan in 1882, at the behest of John Loucks, first mayor of the town who had served under Gen. Sheridan.

In the early 1880s, the nearby town of Big Horn was larger in population. In 1888, Sheridan County split off of Johnson County, and voters chose Sheridan as the county seat in a run-off election. The arrival of the Burlington and Missouri Railroad in 1892 boosted Sheridan's economic status, leading to the construction of the Sheridan Inn, where Buffalo Bill Cody was once a financial partner. Railroad maintenance facilities and railroad-tie treatment plants were significant employers in Sheridan's first decades. The railroad created numerous side industries as well as export opportunities for raw materials. Maps of the day show Sheridan as part of the "hinterland" providing raw goods to cities like Chicago. For the next twenty years the economy and population boomed.

Agriculture played a major role in Sheridan County's early economy. By the 1920s, Sheridan was an agricultural processing center for wheat, dairy, and sugar beets, with a stockyard for cattle shipping by rail. Many hobos rode the rails to Sheridan in the 1920s and 1930s, seeking employment in agriculture and ranches. From 1935 through 1939, Sheridan was considered the state capital of the proposed state of Absaroka, a secessionist movement that proved unsuccessful.

Sheridan has a strong rodeo culture that draws from ranching history as well as a tradition of catering to the wild-west entertainment and shopping tastes of locals and tourists. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo was established in 1931 to provide entertainment and economic development following the success of the PK Ranch Rodeos in 1928 and 1929. It was a professional rodeo from the beginning but took a hiatus because of the Second World War in 1942 and 1943. It returned as a working cowboy rodeo in 1944 with a new name, the Bots Sots Stampede. In 1951 it resumed as the Sheridan-Wyo-Rodeo and became a professional rodeo again in 1966.

Health and wellness are paramount in Sheridan, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Sheridan Memorial Hospital stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Sheridan Recreation District 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 Cloud Peak CrossFit, PURENERGY Fitness and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Sheridan, such as the Soldier Ridge and Hidden Hoot Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Sheridan, WY are Museum at the Bighorns, Trail End State Historic Site, Sheridan Inn, BW Signature Collection, and Kendrick Park.

Population: 19,543 (2023). ZIP code: 82801. Area code: 307. Elevation: 3,744 ft (1,141 m). Area: 12.71 sq mi (32.91 km²).

FAQs

What is the main industry in Sheridan, WY?

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Sheridan, WY grew at a rate of 3.57%, from 8.87k employees to 9.19k employees. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Sheridan, WY, are Management Occupations (979 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (892 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (737 people). From 2021 to 2022, employment in Sheridan, WY grew at a rate of 3.57%, from 8.87k employees to 9.19k employees. The most common employment sectors for those who live in Sheridan, WY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,513 people), Educational Services (1,079 people), and Retail Trade (943 people).

What is special about Sheridan, WY?

It have been home to outlaws and icons such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and Buffalo Bill Cody. Gold miners and cattle rustlers all came through here as well. Sheridan is also home to seven Indian War battle sites. This city also have two national historic landmarks in Sheridan. Located right in the center of downtown you will find the 127 year old Historic Sheridan Inn, which is still a fully functional hotel. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Wyoming. At an elevation of about 10,000 feet on the mountain is the ancient Medicine Wheel. The Native Americans still use it as a spiritual gathering place.

Is it expensive to live in Sheridan, WY?

Sheridan is 15% less expensive than the national average and 2% less expensive to live in than the average city in Wyoming. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2 Bedroom Apt. Food costs in Sheridan are less affordable than average in the United States. Transportations costs in Sheridan are more affordable than average in the United States. Housing costs in Sheridan are more affordable than average in the United States. Health care costs in Sheridan are more affordable than the US average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Sheridan

Sheridan Memorial Hospital 

Sheridan Recreation District 

Cloud Peak CrossFit

PURENERGY Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Soldier Ridge 

Hidden Hoot Trail

Museum at the Bighorns

Trail End State Historic Site

Sheridan Inn, BW Signature Collection

Kendrick Park

Rediscover America

Data USA

EriEri

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