Casper
RANK #343 / 996 NAT · POP 79,506
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Natrona County, Wyoming, is often recognized for Casper Mountain, a prominent landmark offering year-round outdoor activities like Nordic skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, along with scenic views of Garden Creek Falls. Located in east-central Wyoming, with Casper as its largest city and county seat, the county is situated along the North Platte River. The average commute time in Casper is around 16.5 minutes, shorter than the national average. The community offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities, with a significant amount of public land for recreation. Residents have access to a diverse 10,768-acre park system, including urban and mountain parks, trails, lakes, and open spaces, providing opportunities for camping, biking, fishing, and boating.
Life in Natrona County is characterized by a strong connection to the outdoors and a conservative community. The Natrona County School District serves the entire county, including Casper, and offers public education with several highly-rated elementary schools. The local economy, historically rooted in the oil and gas industry, is experiencing diversification. While energy remains a component, there is a focus on expanding into other sectors, with recent investments flowing into data centers and various energy initiatives. Tourism also plays a role, with events and conferences contributing to the local economy.
Below national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Casper (Carbon-Negative Digital Infrastructure Campus)
Prometheus Hyperscale, Spiritus, and Casper Carbon Capture
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Dinosolar 440 MW Solar Facility
Dinosolar, LLC
|
$440M | Planned |
|
EG Haystack Solar and Battery Storage Facility
EG Haystack Solar LLC (subsidiary of Enfinity Global)
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Anticline Wind Farm
Anticline Wind, LLC
|
$124M | Operating |
|
Casper Mountain and Muddy Mountain Road Improvements
BLM and Natrona County Road and Bridge
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Natrona County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.5%, and median household income stands at $69,104 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WY.
Housing in Natrona County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $247,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $945/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Natrona County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved +1.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.79% of Natrona County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.