Upton, Wyoming

Upton, Wyoming
Town
Thunder Basin National Grassland
Nickname(s): The Best Town on Earth
Location in Weston County and the state of Wyoming. Location in Weston County and the state of Wyoming.
Upton, Wyoming Location in the United States
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
County	Weston
Area
• Total	2.96 sq mi (7.67 km2)
• Land	2.96 sq mi (7.67 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	4,239 ft (1,292 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,100
• Estimate (2012)	1,083
• Density	371.6/sq mi (143.5/km2)
Time zone	MST (UTC-7)
• Summer (DST)	MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code	82730
Area code(s)	307
FIPS code	56-79125
GNIS feature ID	1609170

Upton is a town in Weston County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,100 at the 2010 census. The slogan for the town is "The best town on earth".

Geography

Upton is located at (44.103354, -104.625943). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.96 square miles (7.67 km²), all of it land.

Upton is home to an abundance of wildlife. Nearby are lakes and streams with many fish species.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	244		—
1920	306		25.4%
1930	373		21.9%
1940	545		46.1%
1950	951		74.5%
1960	1,224		28.7%
1970	987		−19.4%
1980	1,193		20.9%
1990	980		−17.9%
2000	872		−11.0%
2010	1,100		26.1%
Est. 2014	1,104		0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,100 people, 467 households, and 303 families residing in the town. The population density was 371.6 inhabitants per square mile (143.5/km²). There were 539 housing units at an average density of 182.1 per square mile (70.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.6% White, 0.2% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 467 households of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the town was 38.4 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 872 people, 359 households, and 255 families residing in the town. The population density was 663.8 people per square mile (257.0/km²). There were 441 housing units at an average density of 335.7 per square mile (130.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.99% White, 0.69% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83% of the population.

There were 359 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,053, and the median income for a family was $39,091. Males had a median income of $40,208 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,165. About 6.7% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education in the town of Upton is provided by Weston County School District #7. Schools serving the town include Upton Elementary School (grades K-5), Upton Middle School (grades 6-8), and Upton High School (grades 9-12).

Attractions

Upton is home to The Red Onion Museum which features work from local artist Dave Paulley. The Weston County Gazette, the town's local newspaper, has been operating in Upton for nearly a century. Old Town offers a glimpse of pioneer times with buildings relocated from the original townsite. Literary novelist and poet Nicholas Trandahl is a longtime resident of Upton.