Cheyenne
cityCheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is located in the southeastern corner of the state and serves as the county seat of Laramie County. As the state's most populous city, Cheyenne had a population of 65,132 in 2020. The Cheyenne metropolitan area, encompassing all of Laramie County, has an estimated 102,000 residents. Known for its 'Magic City of the Plains' nickname, Cheyenne offers a blend of Western heritage and modern development. Cheyenne's economy is anchored by government services, transportation, and military operations, particularly F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Emerging growth is occurring in data centers and renewable energy. The city is a developing center of commerce due to its location at the intersection of Interstates 25 and 80 and its access to two major railroads. Cheyenne is renowned for its annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, a historic and large rodeo and cultural event that celebrates its Wild West roots. The city also features cultural institutions like the Wyoming State Museum and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. With a low crime rate and access to outdoor recreational opportunities, Cheyenne provides a unique quality of life.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Classification
- City
- Country
- United States
- County
- Laramie County
- Region
- Southern Rocky Mountain Front
- Elevation
- 6,086 ft
- Total Area
- 32.26 sq mi
- Land Area
- 32.1 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.11 sq mi
- Latitude
- 41.14
- Longitude
- -104.82028
- Climate
- Cheyenne has a cold semi-arid climate with warm summers and long, snowy, and windy winters. The average annual temperature is 46.6°F.
- Notable Features
- Crow Creek · Dry Creek
- Neighboring Areas
- Laramie · Fort Collins, CO · Greeley, CO · Scottsbluff, NE
- Population (2020)
- 65,132
- Est. Population (2026)
- 65,914
- Median Age
- 38.9
- Median Income
- $80,173
- Poverty Rate
- 8.87%
- Owner-Occupied
- 70.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- Cheyenne is majority white, with a significant Hispanic population. The racial composition includes White (79.78%), Two or more races (10.78%), Other race (4.55%), Black or African American (2.84%), Asian (1.16%), and Native American (0.74%).
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 9 members
- School District
- Laramie County School District 1
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire Rescue · Public Works · Community Recreation & Events · Planning and Development
- Economic Profile
- Developing center of commerce · Transportation hub
- Employment Sectors
- Government · Transportation · Military · Data Centers · Renewable Energy
- Major Employers
- F.E. Warren Air Force Base · Union Pacific Railroad
- Students
- 12,859
- School Districts
- Laramie County School District 1
- Colleges & Universities
- Laramie County Community College
- Transportation
- Interstates 25 and 80 · Public transit · Rail service
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal sewer · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Cheyenne Regional Airport · Cheyenne Civic Center · Cheyenne Aquatic Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Lions Park · Curt Gowdy State Park · Vedauwoo Recreation Area
- Parks & Trails
- Greater Cheyenne Greenway · City Parks
- Founded
- 1867
- Incorporated
- 1867
- Named After
- Cheyenne Native American people
- Historical Significance
- Cheyenne's history is deeply rooted in the development of the American West, marked by its role in the railroad expansion, cattle industry, and military presence.
- Key Events
- Established as a junction on the Union Pacific Railroad · Designated as the temporary capital of the Wyoming Territory in 1869 · Granted women the right to vote in 1869 · Home to Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1897