Thermopolis, Wyoming

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Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Thermopolis is the county seat and most populous town in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2020 U.S. census, the town population was 2,725.

Thermopolis, Greek for "hot city", is the location of numerous natural hot springs, in which mineral-laden waters are heated by geothermal processes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The town claims the world's largest mineral hot spring, "The Big Spring", as part of Hot Springs State Park. The springs are open to the public for free as part of an 1896 treaty signed with the Shoshone and Arapaho Indian tribes.

Geography

Thermopolis is located near the northern end of the Wind River Canyon and Wedding of the Waters, where the north-flowing Wind River becomes the Bighorn River, an instance of a river changing names at a point other than a confluence of two streams. The dual name is ascribed to the mountain barrier between the Wind River and Bighorn basins, obscuring the fact that the river that drains the two is the same. The term "Wedding of the Waters" dates to at least 1934, when a marker was placed at the location.<ref name="dayton1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Thermopolis is ringed by mountains, with the Big Horn Mountains to the northeast, the Bridger Mountains to the southeast, the Owl Creek Mountains to the southwest and the Absaroka Range to the northwest. Thermopolis is the southernmost municipality in the Bighorn Basin.

Roundtop Mountain, on the northern edge of town, is a geological formation shaped much like a volcano. It sits at approximately Template:Convert above sea level and is the highest area in the immediate vicinity of Thermopolis.<ref name="Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce" />

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Thermopolis has a cool semi-arid climate, abbreviated BSk on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Thermopolis was Template:Convert on July 25, 1929, while the coldest temperature recorded was Template:Convert on January 16, 1930.<ref name=NOWData />

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Demographics

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2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 3,009 people, 1,389 households, and 818 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,583 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 96.4% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 1,389 households, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.70.

The median age in the town was 47 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 3,172 people, 1,342 households, and 849 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,331.0 people per square mile (514.6/km2). There were 1,568 housing units at an average density of 657.9 per square mile (254.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.90% White, 0.47% African American, 1.70% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 1,342 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. Gender makeup for this period was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,205, and the median income for a family was $38,448. Males had a median income of $26,824 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,648. About 8.3% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Tourism

Hot Springs State Park extends into the town, and tourism is of economic importance to Thermopolis.<ref name="Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce">About Thermopolis Template:Webarchive, Accessed 090728.</ref> A state maintained herd of American bison reside in the park.

Downtown Thermopolis Historic District is located here.

Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center features memorabilia from local pioneers from 1890 through 1910.<ref name="Wyomingtourism.org">Wyoming Tourism entry on Thermopolis Template:Webarchive.</ref>

The annual 3-on-3 Hot Spot Shootout Basketball Tournament was founded in 1993. Up to 60 temporary basketball courts are constructed on city streets in the downtown area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Public education in the town of Thermopolis is provided by Hot Springs County School District #1<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the only school district in the county. HSCSD1 includes Ralph Witters Elementary School, Thermopolis Middle School, Hot Springs County High School, and a building for the county auditorium and district administrative offices, all in Thermopolis. Lucerne Intermediate School, a facility for fourth and fifth graders located in Lucerne, closed in 2005. Fourth and fifth graders now attend the recently expanded Ralph Witters Elementary in Thermopolis.<ref name="HSCSD">Hot Springs County School District #1 Template:Webarchive, Accessed 090728.</ref>

Media

The Thermopolis Independent Record, a weekly newspaper, has been published since 1901 and has a circulation of 1,800.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Classic country station KDNO and Wyoming Public Media classical music affiliate KUWT both broadcast from Thermopolis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Infrastructure

Health care

Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital is a full-service hospital located in Thermopolis. It is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital.Template:Citation needed

Transportation

Highways

Transit

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Express Arrow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Airport

Thermopolis is served by the Hot Springs County–Thermopolis Municipal Airport near Grass Creek, Wyoming.

Notable people

References

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