1st Advantage MortgageHot Springs County households have a median income of $61,250 and median rent of $887 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Hot Springs County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Hot Springs County
- Paychecks and income spread in Hot Springs County
- Housing costs in Hot Springs County
- How Hot Springs County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Hot Springs County
- A Hot Springs County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Hot Springs County
- People and households in Hot Springs County
- Checklist for Hot Springs County applicants
- Lender oversight for Hot Springs County
- More guides for Hot Springs County
- Frequently asked questions
Hot Springs County at a glance
With an estimated 4,620 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Hot Springs County ranks 22nd of 23 in Wyoming for population. Spread over 2,004 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.3 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hot Springs County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Thermopolis is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 2,709 people (59% of the county total). Because Hot Springs County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Jobs and commutes in Hot Springs County
By the Census industry count, 34% of employed Hot Springs County residents work in education and health care and 13% in arts, lodging and food service. Compared with Wyoming, the county leans toward education and health care (34% against 24%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.9% in Hot Springs County. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. 3.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Hot Springs County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 34.5% | +10.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.3% | +4.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Public administration | 10.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -1.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Hot Springs County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Hot Springs County
Hot Springs County households have a median income of $61,250 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 22nd of 23 in Wyoming.
| Band | Hot Springs County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.9% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.2% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -3.9 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 25% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.7% of Hot Springs County residents in poverty, against 10.5% across Wyoming. None of these numbers decides a Hot Springs County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Hot Springs County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $887 in Hot Springs County versus $992 statewide. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 32% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $227,500, about 3.7 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1974.
| Hot Springs County | Wyoming | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $887/mo | $992/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $227,500 | $309,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.9% | 11.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hot Springs 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.
How Hot Springs County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Hot Springs County's, from 40 to 98 miles away. All of the six report a higher median household income than Hot Springs County; Park County is highest at $73,035 and Big Horn County lowest at $62,101.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs County | - | $61,250 | $887/mo | 73% |
| Washakie County, WY | 40 mi | $65,714 | $720/mo | 74% |
| Fremont County, WY | 47 mi | $64,904 | $898/mo | 70% |
| Big Horn County, WY | 60 mi | $62,101 | $823/mo | 76% |
| Park County, WY | 78 mi | $73,035 | $925/mo | 75% |
| Johnson County, WY | 95 mi | $64,871 | $1,029/mo | 82% |
| Natrona County, WY | 98 mi | $72,156 | $1,016/mo | 74% |
The communities that make up Hot Springs County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Hot Springs County residents live in one of the 5. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermopolis | town | 2,709 | $65,208 | $835 | 12 mi |
| Lucerne | CDP | 567 | $61,806 | n/a | 13 mi |
| East Thermopolis | town | 192 | $22,411 | $400 | 13 mi |
| Kirby | town | 60 | $33,750 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Owl Creek | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
A Hot Springs County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Hot Springs 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, Hot Springs County: $5,104
- 17% goes to median rent ($887)
- $899: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,410 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Hot Springs County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Hot Springs County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Rent squeeze. 45% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
People and households in Hot Springs County
27% of Hot Springs County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Hot Springs County | Wyoming | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.7% | 30.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.6% | 5.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.8% | 11.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.9% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 10.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 73.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 14.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 2.9% |
Checklist for Hot Springs County applicants
A short checklist for Hot Springs County borrowers:
- Price the Hot Springs County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Wyoming.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Hot Springs County
The Wyoming Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Wyoming license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Wyoming guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Hot Springs County
The Wyoming guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hot Springs County?
$61,250 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,176 for Wyoming. It ranks 22nd of 23 in the state.
Is Hot Springs County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $887 against $992 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Hot Springs County?
By population: Thermopolis, Lucerne, East Thermopolis, Kirby, Owl Creek. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Can Hot Springs County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wyoming county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Hot Springs County?
Start with the Wyoming Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.