1st Advantage MortgagePlatte County households have a median income of $67,718 and median rent of $781 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
- A quick profile of Platte County
- Paychecks and income spread in Platte County
- Work, industries and travel time in Platte County
- Renting and owning in Platte County
- The communities that make up Platte County
- Platte County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Platte County
- People and households in Platte County
- Before borrowing in Platte County
- Wyoming rules that apply in Platte County
- Four steps for Platte County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Platte County
Roughly 8,612 residents live in Platte County, Wyoming, 18th by population among the state's 23 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 2,081 square miles, that works out to roughly 4.1 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 12 Census places inside Platte County, Wheatland leads by population with about 3,550; 5 of the 12 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Platte County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Platte County
At $67,718, the typical Platte County household income is 3% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 15th of 23.
| Yearly household income | Platte County | Gap to Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.6% | +3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | -0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | -1.2 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 7.7%, 3 points lower than the state's 10.5%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.428 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Platte County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Platte County
The biggest employer of Platte County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by construction (14%). Compared with Wyoming, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (13% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 1.9% of the total (4.1% statewide).
| Sector | Platte County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.8% | -7.6 pts |
| Construction | 14.5% | +6.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 13.3% | +7.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.7% | +4.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Renting and owning in Platte County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $781 in Platte County versus $992 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. Home values center on $297,900, or 4.4 years of median income. 76% of Platte County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1976.
| Measure | Platte County | Wyoming | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $781/mo | $992/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $297,900 | $309,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.4% | 11.5% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Platte 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.
The communities that make up Platte County
The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in Platte County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 5,564 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatland | town | 3,550 | $58,750 | $741 | 6 mi |
| Guernsey | town | 754 | $50,114 | $1,037 | 14 mi |
| Glendo | town | 243 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
| Chugwater | town | 228 | $68,475 | $643 | 27 mi |
| Chugcreek | CDP | 160 | $175,357 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Y-O Ranch | CDP | 120 | $109,773 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Westview Circle | CDP | 117 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Lakeview North | CDP | 100 | $235,417 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Slater | CDP | 99 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Hartville | town | 88 | $62,679 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Whiting | CDP | 58 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| El Rancho | CDP | 47 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Platte County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Goshen County at 31 miles out to Scotts Bluff County at 67. Income ranges from $53,929 in Sioux County to $81,558 in Converse County; 2 of these neighbors top Platte County's median. Some neighbors are in Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Platte County resident follows Wyoming rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte County | - | $67,718 | $781/mo | 76% |
| Goshen County, WY | 31 mi | $58,929 | $778/mo | 73% |
| Albany County, WY | 51 mi | $61,917 | $931/mo | 50% |
| Laramie County, WY | 60 mi | $80,173 | $1,160/mo | 71% |
| Converse County, WY | 66 mi | $81,558 | $866/mo | 77% |
| Sioux County, NE | 67 mi | $53,929 | $745/mo | 60% |
| Scotts Bluff County, NE | 67 mi | $63,614 | $909/mo | 69% |
Room for a loan payment in Platte County
Platte County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,643 gross per month ($67,718 / 12)
- 14% goes to median rent ($781)
- $1,476: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Platte County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Platte County
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 21.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Platte County | All of Wyoming | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.0 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.7% | 30.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.1% | 5.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 21.5% | 11.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.9% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 10.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Platte County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 68.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Before borrowing in Platte County
Where the Platte County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 21% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 47.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Wyoming rules that apply in Platte County
Consumer lenders serving Platte County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Wyoming that is the Wyoming Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Wyoming: Wyoming personal loans.
Four steps for Platte County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Platte County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Wyoming license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Wyoming guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Platte County?
$67,718 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,176 for Wyoming. It ranks 15th of 23 in the state.
How much is rent in Platte County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $781 a month; 34% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Platte County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Wheatland, Guernsey, Glendo, Chugwater, Chugcreek.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Platte County or elsewhere in Wyoming, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Platte County?
Start with the Wyoming Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.