Ever driven down I-80 and pulled into Rawlins for gas? Most people have. But living there is a whole different story. Lately, if you look at the population of Rawlins Wyoming, you’ll notice something interesting—the numbers are sliding, but the town isn't exactly "dying." It's just changing.
Honestly, the high-desert wind might be the only thing that stays consistent around here.
According to the latest 2024 and 2025 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Rawlins Wyoming sits at approximately 7,952 residents. This represents a steady decline from the 8,221 people counted during the 2020 Census. We are looking at a drop of about 3.4% over just a few years. For a small town, every hundred people counts.
What’s driving the population of Rawlins Wyoming down?
It isn't a mystery. People go where the work is. For decades, Rawlins was a hub for energy—coal, oil, and gas. But as the world shifts toward different energy sources, the local economy has taken some hits.
The town's history is a series of "booms" and "busts." In the late 70s, things were surging. By the mid-80s, uranium mines closed and oil prices cratered. The population plummeted. Today, we’re seeing a slower, more modern version of that cycle.
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- Energy Shifts: The nearby Sinclair refinery is still a massive employer, but the broader fossil fuel sector in Wyoming is facing headwinds.
- The "Brain Drain": Like many rural spots, young people graduate from Rawlins High and head for Laramie or out of state to Fort Collins or Denver.
- Cost of Living vs. Wages: While the median household income is around $69,912, the cost of housing hasn't always matched the local paycheck.
A look at the "State of the Prison"
You can’t talk about the population of Rawlins Wyoming without mentioning the Wyoming State Penitentiary. It’s one of the biggest employers in the area. When the prison is fully staffed, the town feels fuller. When there are vacancies, or when policy shifts affect inmate numbers (who are often counted in local census data depending on the methodology), the needle moves.
Who actually lives here? (The Demographics)
Rawlins isn't a monolith. It’s got a grit to it that you won’t find in the more "touristy" parts of Wyoming like Jackson Hole.
The median age is about 38 years old. That’s pretty much the "middle of the road" for the U.S. It’s a town of families and retirees who like the quiet. About 22.7% of the population is under 18, and 15.1% are 65 or older.
Racially, it’s mostly White (around 81.5%), but there is a significant Hispanic or Latino community making up about 24.1% of the residents. This adds a layer of culture and flavor to the town—especially in the local food scene—that often gets overlooked by travelers just passing through.
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Is the decline permanent?
Maybe not.
There’s a weird thing happening in 2026. While the "official" numbers are down, there’s a small trickle of "amenity migrants"—people who are tired of the city and want to live somewhere where they can actually see the stars. Rawlins is affordable compared to almost anywhere in Colorado.
The median value of owner-occupied homes is roughly $205,900. Compare that to the national average or even Cheyenne, and you start to see why some folks are giving it a second look.
The Infrastructure Reality
Rawlins has struggled with its water system recently. You might have seen the news about the aging wooden pipes and the infrastructure emergencies. When a town struggles to keep the water flowing, it’s hard to recruit a massive new factory or a tech hub. This is a real bottleneck for the population of Rawlins Wyoming. If they can fix the pipes, they can grow. If not, they’re just treading water.
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Economic Diversification: The 2026 Outlook
Carbon County is leaning hard into wind energy. You’ve seen the turbines. They’re everywhere. While wind farms don’t require thousands of permanent on-site workers once they’re built, the construction phases bring in a "shadow population" of workers who fill up the motels and eat at the local diners.
Key Employers keeping the town afloat:
- Memorial Hospital of Carbon County: Essential for the aging demographic.
- Carbon County School District #1: Keeps the families here.
- The Sinclair Refinery: The old reliable.
- Government Jobs: Between the county seat and the prison, the government is a huge player.
Actionable Insights for those watching the numbers
If you are looking at the population of Rawlins Wyoming because you're considering a move or a business investment, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Water: Look into the latest city council updates on the infrastructure project. Growth is tied to this.
- Watch the Wind: New projects in Carbon County often mean a temporary boost in local spending.
- Real Estate Opportunity: It is still one of the few places in the West where a middle-class salary can buy a decent home.
- Remote Work: If you bring your own job, the "decline" doesn't matter. The low cost of living becomes your biggest raise.
The population of Rawlins Wyoming tells a story of a town that refuses to quit. It’s smaller than it was ten years ago, sure. But for the nearly 8,000 people who call it home, the wide-open spaces and the lack of traffic are worth more than a spot on a "fastest-growing cities" list.
To get the most accurate, real-time updates on local growth, you should regularly check the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division reports, as they often catch the nuances that the federal census misses between the big count years. Keep an eye on the building permits in the Carbon County Clerk's office; that's where you'll see if people are actually putting down roots or just passing through.