Moving to Upton, Wyoming

Upton, Wyoming is a small town located in Weston County, in the northeastern part of the state. It is situated on US Highway 16, about 40 miles west of Gillette. The population of Upton is just over 800 people, making it a small but vibrant community.

Upton was founded in 1910 and has since grown steadily. It was named for John Upton, an early settler who established a ranch near present-day Upton. The town initially served as a stop for cattle drives and stagecoaches on their way to Deadwood, South Dakota. Later on it became an important railroad junction when the Chicago & Northwestern Railway extended its line from Gillette to Upton in 1916.

Today, Upton remains an agricultural hub and serves as a center of commerce for nearby rural communities. Agriculture is still the primary industry in the area, with beef production being the largest sector. In addition to beef production, there are also several local businesses that provide services such as auto repair shops and equipment rentals.

The town has several local attractions that draw tourists from all over Wyoming and beyond. These include the historic Upton Depot Museum which houses artifacts from early settlers to modern-day residents; the Weston County Museum; and several parks including Weston County Park where visitors can enjoy camping and fishing activities as well as scenic views of surrounding hillsides and valleys; and Lake Guernsey State Park which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, swimming beaches, boating activities and more.

Upton’s downtown area features many buildings that were constructed during its heyday in the early 1900s – many of which have been restored to their original appearance – including several retail stores selling antiques and collectibles; restaurants serving traditional American cuisine; cafes serving coffee drinks; pubs offering craft beers; banks offering financial services; churches representing various denominations; post office facilities; grocery stores providing fresh produce year-round; hardware stores providing home improvement supplies; gift shops offering souvenirs from Wyoming’s past; art galleries featuring local artists’ work; salons providing hair styling services; beauty supply stores stocking cosmetics products; clothing boutiques selling apparel for all ages etc., making it easy to find something unique or practical while visiting this charming small town!

Upton may be small but it offers big city amenities with its friendly atmosphere perfect for raising families or retiring couples alike! Its residents are proud of their hometown’s history while looking forward to its future growth – welcoming everyone who visits with warm hospitality.

Population: 872. Estimated population in July 2024: 857 (-1.7% change)
Males: 424 (48.6%), Females: 448 (51.4%)

Weston County

Zip code: 82730

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.3 years
Median household income: $31,053
Median house value: $66,700

Population by Race

Races in Upton:

• White Non-Hispanic (94.4%)
• American Indian (2.9%)
• Two or more races (2.6%)
• Hispanic (1.8%)

Ancestries: German (38.8%), English (17.9%), Irish (11.2%), Dutch (7.2%), Norwegian (6.8%), Scottish (4.0%).

Land area: 1.3 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Upton

• High school or higher: 85.4%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.6%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
• Unemployed: 4.6%
• Mean travel time to work: 29.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Upton town

• Never married: 21.4%
• Now married: 63.8%
• Separated: 0.5%
• Widowed: 6.6%
• Divorced: 7.6%

0.8% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -67 (-7.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Upton:

• CROOK COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; SUNDANCE, WY)
• WESTON COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES (about 29 miles; NEWCASTLE, WY)
• LOOKOUT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 59 miles; SPEARFISH, SD)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Upton:

• GILLETTE-CAMPBELL COUNTY (about 65 miles; GILLETTE, WY; Abbreviation: GCC)
• ELLSWORTH AFB (about 106 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Abbreviation: RCA)
• RAPID CITY REGIONAL (about 110 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Abbreviation: RAP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Upton:

• UPTON MUNI (about 2 miles; UPTON, WY; Abbreviation: 83V)
• MONDELL FIELD (about 27 miles; NEWCASTLE, WY; Abbreviation: ECS)
• BLACK HILLS-CLYDE ICE FIELD (about 65 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; Abbreviation: SPF)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Upton:

• BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 59 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; Full-time enrollment: 3,190)
• SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (about 98 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,002)
• CASPER COLLEGE (about 143 miles; CASPER, WY; Full-time enrollment: 2,564)
• CHADRON STATE COLLEGE (about 144 miles; CHADRON, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,144)
• UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING (about 184 miles; LARAMIE, WY; Full-time enrollment: 9,665)
• UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO (about 255 miles; GREELEY, CO; Full-time enrollment: 10,983)
• AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 257 miles; GREELEY, CO; Full-time enrollment: 3,722)

Schools

Public high school in Upton:

• UPTON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 109; Location: 610 POPLAR STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Upton:

• UPTON ELEMENTARY (Students: 88; Location: 802 JUNIPER; Grades: KG – 05)
• UPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 64; Location: 802 JUNIPER; Grades: 06 – 08)