About Washakie County
Washakie County, Wyoming, is located in the Big Horn Basin in
the north-central part of the State. Washakie County’s two
incorporated communities are the City of Worland and the Town
of Ten Sleep.
Washakie County has the most diversified economy in Wyoming on
a per-capita basis featuring several major manufacturing and distribution
companies, a large Bureau of Land Management office, a well-respected
medical center, oil production, farming and ranching, and world-class
telecommunications capabilities.
Washakie County offers a business-friendly environment in a community-oriented,
small town atmosphere. Support services such as office supply,
printing, and computer support are available in Worland.
Washakie County is a county on the move. Over the last few years,
the community has come together to help with a local buy-out of
the sugar factory (Wyoming Sugar) and to buy shares for a new,
community department store (Washakie Wear). An optional sales
tax was passed in 2004 and will pay for some important projects,
including: a new community center in Worland, which will also
house a local facility for the regional community college; a new
senior center in Worland; an expanded community center/senior
center in Ten Sleep; a needed streets/sewer/water project in Ten
Sleep; and money for county-wide economic development.
Taxes
Washakie County is business-friendly and boasts a 5% sales tax,
low property taxes, and no state or local personal, corporate,
or inventory taxes. Manufacturing equipment is exempt from sales
and use taxes and farm equipment is exempt from sales tax.
Telecommunications
Washakie County offers world-class telecommunications capabilities.
In Worland, service is provided by RT Communications and Bresnan
Communications. RT Communications, the regional telecommunications
company, also has its headquarters in Worland. In Ten Sleep, service
is provided by another Wyoming-based company, TCT West. Fiber
runs through the region and we can work with you to provide whatever
type of service might best meet your needs.
Other Utilities
Washakie County’s other utility providers are business-friendly
and will work with businesses to provide the service they need
at a reasonable rate.
Washakie County boasts excellent artesian water. It also has
an extensive irrigation system for farming.
Transportation
Air: Worland Municipal Airport (WRL) is located 3 miles south
of downtown Worland. Great Lakes Airlines offers twice daily commercial
air service to Denver via Cheyenne and Laramie. The 7000 foot
runway also accommodates corporate and other private jets. Currently,
Worland Municipal Airport is undergoing an expansion and renovation
which will eventually result in an extended 8000 foot runway and
an airport business park.
Other nearby airports with commercial air service: Cody (90 miles),
Riverton (90 miles), and a major international airport in Billings,
Montana (160 miles).
Rail: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad offers service from
Worland, allowing freight to move in and out of Washakie County
to any destination nationwide.
Bus: Powder River Transportation/Coach USA offers daily bus service
to and from Casper, Wyoming, and Billings, Montana. From there,
connections can be made to locations nationwide.
Major Highways: U.S. 16 and U.S. 20 intersect in downtown Worland.
U.S. 16 intersects with I-25 and I-90 on the east side of the
Big Horn Mountains, about 60 miles east of Ten Sleep.
Education
Washakie County has two excellent school districts – one
located in Worland and the other in Ten Sleep. Washakie County
School District #1 in Worland has three elementary schools, a
middle school, and a high school. The high school offers a strong
curriculum and extra-curricular activities including 19 different
athletic programs and 14 clubs and performing arts groups. More
than 75% of graduating students go on to higher education.
The University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service/Washakie
County has a videoconferencing facility which is used for continuing
education and other distance learning opportunities.
Northwest College, the regional community college based in Powell,
WY, offers educational opportunities in Worland. At this time,
Northwest College offers a range of workforce training and college
classes in Worland and has a full-time nursing program based at
Washakie Medical Center. Once renovations on the new Worland Community
Center are complete, Northwest College is looking to operate a
full-time satellite facility and offer expanded program offerings
with a special focus on workforce development.
Job Training
The State of Wyoming through the Workforce Development Fund offers
up to $5,000 in training grants for new employees.
Workforce
Washakie County has a well-educated, hard-working workforce.
Given its central location in the southern Big Horn Basin, Washakie
County also offers access to the workforce in Hot Springs County
and southern Big Horn County – all within an easy 40 minute
drive of downtown Worland.
Demographics
Washakie County’s population is 8,289 according to the
2000 Census. About half of the population is male and half is
female. About 16% of the population is 65 and older and about
27% is under 18. The median age in 2000 was 39.4 years old.
Washakie County’s median annual household income was $34,943
in 2000 and in December 2004 Washakie County had a 3.0% unemployment
rate.
Housing costs in Washakie County are reasonable. The median cost
of a single family home was $83,500 in 2000, compared to $96,600
statewide.
Health Care
Washakie County has excellent health care services. Washakie
Medical Center, run by Banner Health, offers 24-hour emergency
room service, acute care, inpatient and ambulatory surgery, specialty
outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation, radiology, birthing
suites, and other specialties, including its regionally recognized
pediatric and young adult rehabilitation program.
Additional specialized care is available in Casper, Wyoming,
or Billings, Montana, or via a short flight to Denver.
Lifestyle/Recreational Opportunities
Washakie County offers something for everyone. Over 75 percent
of Washakie County is public land giving residents easy access
to the recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, camping,
hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Worland’s excellent retailers offer residents the ability
to shop locally for everything from groceries to clothing to outdoor
gear to gifts. Washakie County’s two museums offer cultural
opportunities from national traveling exhibits to programming
in the arts and history of the region.
Washakie County is centrally located to the sights and cities
of the region. Yellowstone National Park, Billings, Montana, and
Casper, Wyoming, are all within a three-hour drive of Worland.
Closer by are the Thermopolis Hot Springs, Old Town Cody, Bighorn
Canyon National Recreation Area, and the wonders of the Big Horn
Mountains.
Washakie County is community-oriented and holds a number of community
events each year. More information can be found at www.worlandchamber.com.
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Climate
Washakie County, Wyoming, is located in the Big Horn Basin and
is surrounded by mountains, shielding the area from extreme storms
and wind. Washakie County also features more than 300 days of
sunshine a year!
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