Laramie, Wyoming
Despite its rugged beginnings in 1868 as a settlement of
hunters, fighters, and barkeepers, Laramie, Wyoming ultimately
became a town of sophistication, prosperity and, in 1887,
the sight of Wyoming’s first center of higher education — the
University of Wyoming. As you explore the  town’s
sights, you will find Victorian architecture, buildings
constructed out of local yellow sandstone, the world’s largest
bronze head (the Lincoln Monument), and the famed Centennial
Complex which is designed to look like a six story tepee.
If browsing museum displays and artifacts is what you love to do, then Laramie
has several to choose from. The Ivinson Mansion Showcases
household items from the pioneer days and has a carriage
house and a one room school house on the beautifully landscaped
grounds. At the Laramie Plains Museum, you can see collections
of antique toys, furniture, china and Western artifacts.
 The
University of Wyoming is home to the Geological Museum with
its rocks, mineral, vertebrate, invertebrate, mammal, plant
fossils and a mounted Apatosaurus (aka Brontosaurus). For
rare books, manuscripts, Western artifacts and assorted
art mediums from the 16th century to modern times, visit
the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center and
Art Museum.
For more vigorous adventure, don’t miss the outdoor offerings at the Medicine Bow National Forest’s million plus acre forest where you can go on a picnic, brush up on your winter sports, set up your tent in the camping area, or spend a night or two at local lodges. For camping, sightseeing and rock climbing, head to Vedauwoo. To indulge in more winter time activity, visit the Snowy Range Ski Area. The Range has 25 runs, a ski school, rentals, snowmobile tours, and cross country trails.
Medicine Bow
Laramie Demographics and Information
Laramie Population : 25,688 as of 2007
Climate : Laramie gets 11 inches of rain per year.
The number of days with any measurable precipitation is
92. On average, there are 231 sunny days per year in Laramie,
WY. The July high is around 79 degrees. The January low
is 13.
Cost of Living / Economy : The unemployment rate
in Laramie, WY, is 2.80%, with job growth of -2.14%. Future
job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 8.56%.
Sales tax rate is 6.00%. Income tax is 0.00%. The income
per capita is $18,914, which includes all adults and children.
The median household income is $31,436. Compared to the
rest of the country, Laramie's cost of living is 12.43%
Lower than the U.S. average.
Education : Schools spend $6,038 per student. There
are 11 pupils per teacher, 391 students per librarian, and
178 children per counselor.
Real Estate / Housing : The median home value is
$207,900. Home appreciation is -10.80% over the last year.
Renters make up 49.09% of the population. 5.11% of houses
and apartments are unoccupied.
Photo Credits: Banner by Cog Dog Blog;
Downtown Laramie by Decumanus |
