Ranchester, Wyoming Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ranchester, Wyoming had a total population of 1,277, the 49th largest town in Wyoming, with a median household income of $69,464, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Ranchester Quick Facts
How Ranchester Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,069 | 1,277 | +19.5% |
| Median household income | $65,568 | $69,464 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $295,900 | $326,900 | +10.5% |
How Ranchester Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ranchester Rankings in Wyoming
Explore Wyoming Rankings
Other Cities in Sheridan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | 19,285 | $62,867 | 12.5% | $340,600 |
| Story | 1,054 | $113,590 | 1.9% | $437,200 |
| Dayton | 992 | $75,066 | 1.9% | $333,500 |
| Powder Horn | 702 | $110,096 | 3.1% | $949,800 |
| Parkman | 389 | $65,674 | 6.2% | $630,400 |
| Big Horn | 259 | $181,121 | 0.0% | $1,587,800 |
| Clearmont | 104 | $75,000 | 25.0% | N/A |
| Arvada | 10 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ranchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lusk | 1,311 | $68,507 | $213,000 | 19.5% | 10.3% |
| Arapahoe | 1,240 | $70,000 | $183,900 | 8.6% | 18.1% |
| Basin | 1,290 | $65,515 | $157,300 | 24.5% | 14.9% |
| Pine Bluffs | 1,370 | $67,905 | $338,000 | 28.2% | 10.6% |
| Ethete | 1,326 | $80,833 | $118,800 | 6.2% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Ranchester is a small community located in Wyoming, within Sheridan County. The total population is 1,277. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 192 Census-designated places in Wyoming.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ranchester is 36.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 31.9% of the population under 18, Ranchester has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ranchester is $69,464. This is 9% lower than the state median of $76,176. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $326,900. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $309,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 83.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ranchester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (1.5% vs 0.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 10.7%.
Education
31.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 30.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ranchester, Wyoming is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wyoming state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 192 Census-designated places in Wyoming. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ranchester, Wyoming?
Ranchester, Wyoming has a population of 1,277 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ranchester, WY?
The median household income in Ranchester is $69,464, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ranchester, WY?
The poverty rate in Ranchester is 16.8%. This means approximately 214 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ranchester, Wyoming?
Ranchester's population is 89.8% White, 1.5% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ranchester, WY?
The median home value in Ranchester is $326,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Ranchester, Wyoming?
31.8% of adults (25+) in Ranchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.