Big Horn County is a county located in the north‑central region of the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population of 12,108, making it one of the less densely populated counties in the state. The county seat and largest community is the town of Basin.
History
Big Horn County was established on February 6, 1911, by the Wyoming Legislature from portions of Sheridan, Washakie, and Johnson counties. The county was named for the Bighorn Mountains, which dominate its eastern landscape and for the Bighorn River that flows through the area.
Geography
The county covers a total area of approximately 3,000 square miles (7,770 km²), of which about 2,986 square miles is land and 15 square miles (0.5 %) is water. The eastern part of the county is mountainous, encompassing the Bighorn Mountains and parts of the Bighorn National Forest. The western portion lies within the high plains of the Powder River Basin. Major waterways include the Bighorn River and its tributaries.
Adjacent counties are:
- Sheridan County to the north
- Johnson County to the west
- Natrona County to the southwest
- Hot Springs County to the south
- Washakie County to the east
Major highways traversing the county include U.S. Routes 14, 16, 20, and 310, which provide connections to neighboring states and regional centers.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, the racial composition of Big Horn County was predominantly White (approximately 94 %), with small percentages of Native American, Asian, Black or African American, and individuals of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents comprised about 5 % of the population. The median age was in the early 40s, and the county exhibited a median household income slightly below the national average.
Economy
The county’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, including cattle ranching and dry‑land farming. Energy extraction, particularly natural gas and oil from the Powder River Basin, contributes to the local economy. Tourism related to outdoor recreation—such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping in the Bighorn National Forest and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area—also provides economic activity.
Government
Big Horn County is governed by a three‑member Board of County Commissioners, each elected from a district within the county. The county provides typical services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and public health, and it operates under the statutes of the State of Wyoming.
Education
Public education in the county is administered by several school districts, including Big Horn County School District 1, which serves the town of Basin and surrounding areas. The county does not host a four‑year college; post‑secondary students typically attend institutions in larger Wyoming cities such as Casper or Sheridan.
Communities
In addition to Basin, the county contains the towns of Greybull, Shell, and Ten Sleep, as well as several unincorporated communities and census‑designated places.
Points of Interest
- Bighorn National Forest – offers extensive forested lands for recreation.
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (partially within the county) – noted for its scenic canyons and water‑based recreation on the Bighorn River.
- Outlaw Cave and other historic sites related to the region’s early frontier history.