List of census-designated places in Wyoming facts for kids
Imagine a town that isn't officially a city or village, but still has a lot of people living there. That's kind of what a census-designated place (or CDP) is! These are special areas the U.S. Census Bureau marks out for counting people. This helps them collect important information about where everyone lives, even in places without a formal town government. In Wyoming, there were 106 of these CDPs counted in the 2020 census.
Contents
What is a Census-Designated Place?
A census-designated place, or CDP, is an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. It's like a community that looks and feels like a town, but it doesn't have its own official local government. This means it doesn't have a mayor or town council like a city or village would.
Why Do CDPs Exist?
CDPs are created to help the U.S. Census Bureau gather accurate population data. They make sure that people living in areas that aren't formal cities or towns are still counted. This data is super important for understanding how many people live in different parts of the country. It helps with planning for schools, roads, and other services.
How Are CDPs Different from Cities?
The main difference is the government. Cities and towns have their own local governments that make laws and provide services. CDPs do not. Services in a CDP are usually provided by the county government. For example, the sheriff's office would handle law enforcement, not a local police department.
CDPs in Wyoming
Wyoming has many CDPs spread across its counties. These places can be very different in size. Some are quite small, with only a few residents. Others are much larger, with thousands of people living there.
Examples of Wyoming CDPs
- Ranchettes in Laramie County was the largest CDP in Wyoming in 2020, with 6,199 people.
- Owl Creek in Hot Springs County and Carter and Table Rock in Uinta County had very few or no residents counted in 2020.
- Other CDPs include places like Arapahoe in Fremont County (1,612 people) and Hoback in Teton County (1,276 people).
These places are important parts of Wyoming's landscape, showing where communities exist even without formal city limits.
See also
- List of municipalities in Wyoming
- Index of Wyoming-related articles
- Outline of Wyoming
