1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Big Horn County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $62,101. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Big Horn County by the numbers
- Income in Big Horn County compared with Wyoming
- Work, industries and travel time in Big Horn County
- Big Horn County housing compared with Wyoming
- Regional comparison for Big Horn County
- Places inside Big Horn County
- People and households in Big Horn County
- Local borrowing considerations for Big Horn County
- What a median Big Horn County budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Wyoming
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Big Horn County by the numbers
Roughly 11,828 residents live in Big Horn County, Wyoming, 15th by population among the state's 23 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 3,137 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (9 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Lovell, with about 2,422 residents, or 20% of the county.
Income in Big Horn County compared with Wyoming
Big Horn County households have a median income of $62,101 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 23 in Wyoming.
| Income band | Share in Big Horn County | Difference from Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.0% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -4.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Big Horn County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.7%, 2 points higher than the state's 10.5%. For a borrower in Big Horn County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Big Horn County
The biggest employer of Big Horn County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (15%). Compared with Wyoming, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (15% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for Big Horn County averages 3.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.7%). About 78% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 2.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Big Horn County | Gap to Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.6% | +5.5 pts |
| Construction | 12.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.1% | +2.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Big Horn County housing compared with Wyoming
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $823 in Big Horn County versus $992 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Big Horn County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $216,500, a typical Big Horn County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 76%. The median home was built in 1968, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Big Horn County | Wyoming | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $992/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $216,500 | $309,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Big Horn County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Regional comparison for Big Horn County
Distances run center to center, from Washakie County at 47 miles out to Johnson County at 77. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Big Horn County; Carbon County is highest at $80,261 and Big Horn County lowest at $58,750. The list crosses into Montana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Horn County | - | $62,101 | $823/mo | 76% |
| Washakie County, WY | 47 mi | $65,714 | $720/mo | 74% |
| Sheridan County, WY | 58 mi | $71,388 | $939/mo | 71% |
| Hot Springs County, WY | 60 mi | $61,250 | $887/mo | 73% |
| Big Horn County, MT | 65 mi | $58,750 | $697/mo | 67% |
| Carbon County, MT | 70 mi | $80,261 | $844/mo | 78% |
| Johnson County, WY | 77 mi | $64,871 | $1,029/mo | 82% |
Places inside Big Horn County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Big Horn County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 7,971 residents, leaving about 33% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Cowley has the highest median household income on the list ($79,732) and Lovell the lowest ($60,154), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Lovell ($626) and steepest in Basin ($903). This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovell | town | 2,422 | $60,154 | $626 | 29 mi |
| Greybull | town | 2,091 | $65,417 | $807 | 4 mi |
| Basin | town | 1,290 | $65,515 | $903 | 10 mi |
| Cowley | town | 755 | $79,732 | n/a | 34 mi |
| Byron | town | 595 | $64,167 | $883 | 31 mi |
| Burlington | town | 242 | $82,000 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Frannie | town | 209 | n/a | $686 | 43 mi |
| Deaver | town | 171 | $57,813 | n/a | 39 mi |
| Manderson | town | 113 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Hyattville | CDP | 47 | $43,333 | n/a | 27 mi |
| Shell | CDP | 36 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
People and households in Big Horn County
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. 13.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Big Horn County | Wyoming | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.8% | 30.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 5.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.2% | 11.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 10.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Big Horn County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Big Horn County
Based on the Big Horn County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 13% of Big Horn County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
What a median Big Horn County budget can carry
How much room does a median Big Horn County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Big Horn County: $5,175
- 16% goes to median rent ($823)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,247 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Big Horn County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Wyoming borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Wyoming
Big Horn County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Wyoming Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Wyoming: Wyoming personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Wyoming guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Big Horn County a high-income county?
Its $62,101 median ranks 20th of 23 Wyoming counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Big Horn County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $823 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Big Horn County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Big Horn County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Lovell, Greybull, Basin, Cowley, Byron and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in Big Horn County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.