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Campbell County, Wyoming facts for kids

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Campbell County
Campbell County Courthouse
Campbell County Courthouse
Flag of Campbell County
Flag
Map of Wyoming highlighting Campbell County
Location within the U.S. state of Wyoming
Map of the United States highlighting Wyoming
Wyoming's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wyoming
Founded February 21, 1911
Named for Robert Campbell
Seat Gillette
Largest city Gillette
Area
 • Total 4,807 sq mi (12,450 km2)
 • Land 4,803 sq mi (12,440 km2)
 • Water 4.0 sq mi (10 km2)  0.08%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 47,026
 • Estimate 
(2023)
47,498 Increase
 • Density 9.7828/sq mi (3.7772/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district At-large

Campbell County is a county located in the state of Wyoming in the United States. It is known for its wide-open spaces and important natural resources. As of 2020, about 47,026 people lived here. This makes it the third-most populated county in Wyoming. The main city and county seat is Gillette. Campbell County is also part of the Gillette, WY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is a smaller urban area.

History of Campbell County

Campbell County was officially created in 1911. It was formed from parts of two other counties: Crook County and Weston County.

The county's name comes from one of two important people. It might be named after John Allen Campbell. He was a governor of the Wyoming Territory a long time ago. Or, it could be named for Robert Campbell. He was a famous trapper and fur trader in the early days of the American West.

Geography and Nature

Campbell County is a large area in Wyoming. The U.S. Census Bureau says the county covers about 4,807 square miles. Most of this area, about 4,803 square miles, is land. A small part, about 4 square miles, is water.

Eagle Butte mine from the visitor overlook platform
The Eagle Butte Mine is a large coal mine near Gillette.

Neighboring Counties

Campbell County shares its borders with several other counties.

Main Roads and Travel

Several important highways run through Campbell County. These roads help people travel across the county and connect to other areas.

  • I-90 (WY).svg Interstate 90
  • I-90 Bus.
  • US 14.svg U.S. Highway 14
  • US 16.svg U.S. Highway 16
  • WY-50.svg Wyoming Highway 50
  • WY-51.svg Wyoming Highway 51
  • WY-59.svg Wyoming Highway 59
  • WY-387.svg Wyoming Highway 387
  • WY-450.svg Wyoming Highway 450

For public transportation, Jefferson Lines offers bus services.

Protected Natural Areas

Part of the Thunder Basin National Grassland is located in Campbell County. This is a large area of protected grasslands. It is managed for conservation and public use.

Population and People

The number of people living in Campbell County has changed a lot over the years.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 5,233
1930 6,720 28.4%
1940 6,048 −10.0%
1950 4,839 −20.0%
1960 5,861 21.1%
1970 12,957 121.1%
1980 24,367 88.1%
1990 29,370 20.5%
2000 33,698 14.7%
2010 46,133 36.9%
2020 47,026 1.9%
2023 (est.) 47,498 3.0%
US Decennial Census
1870–2000 2010–2020

In 2010, there were 46,133 people living in the county. Most people were white (93.2%). Other groups included American Indian, Asian, and Black or African American people. About 7.8% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background. Many residents have German, Irish, or English family roots.

The average age of people in Campbell County in 2010 was about 31.9 years old. This shows it is a relatively young community. Many households (39.0%) had children under 18 living with them.

Cities and Towns

Campbell County has a few main communities where people live.

City

South Gillette Avenue looking south in Gillette, Wyoming
Downtown Gillette on South Gillette Avenue.
  • Gillette is the largest city and the county seat. This means it is the center for the county's government.

Town

  • Wright is another important town in the county.

Census-Designated Places

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities or towns.

Smaller Communities

Campbell County also has several smaller, unincorporated communities. These places do not have their own local government.

Wyodak, Wyoming seen from Wyoming Highway 51
Wyodak, a small community in Campbell County.

Former Community

Notable People from Campbell County

Some well-known people have lived in Campbell County.

  • Tom Lubnau served as the Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives. This is a very important leadership role in the state government.
  • Sue Wallis was a Republican member of the Wyoming House. She represented Campbell County in the state legislature.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Campbell (Wyoming) para niños

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