1st Advantage Mortgage33% of Sheridan County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $71,388 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Sheridan County, and confirm each one's Wyoming license.
On this page
- Who lives in Sheridan County
- Labor force snapshot: Sheridan County
- Sheridan County housing compared with Wyoming
- Paychecks and income spread in Sheridan County
- What stands out in Sheridan County
- Sheridan County communities by population
- Sheridan County, Johnson County and other neighbors
- Who lives in Sheridan County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Sheridan County
- A Sheridan County household budget, worked through
- Checklist for Sheridan County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Sheridan County residents
- Other Wyoming guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Sheridan County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sheridan County's population at 32,055; only 6 of Wyoming's 23 county-level areas are larger. It covers 2,523 square miles of land, or about 13 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sheridan County is not part of any metropolitan area. Sheridan is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 19,285 people (60% of the county total).
Labor force snapshot: Sheridan County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Sheridan County residents work in education and health care and 12% in construction. Construction stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. Unemployment in Sheridan County, ACS five-year: 2.2%; Wyoming: 3.7%. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Sheridan County | Gap to Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 8.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | -1.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.9% | -1.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Sheridan County housing compared with Wyoming
Half of Sheridan County renters pay more than $939 a month and half pay less; the Wyoming midpoint is $992. About 5 in 10 Sheridan County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $394,900, a typical Sheridan County house costs 5.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 71% of Sheridan County households own their home and 29% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Housing | Sheridan County | Wyoming statewide | Sheridan County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 35% | 26% | +8.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 43% | +4.7 pts |
| Mobile homes | 6.8% | 11.5% | -4.7 pts |
| Median home value | $394,900 | $309,700 | 28% higher |
| Vacant units | 10% | 12% | -1.8 pts |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | -1.1 pts |
| Median gross rent | $939/mo | $992/mo | 5% lower |
Paychecks and income spread in Sheridan County
Half of Sheridan County households take in less than $71,388 a year and half take in more, 6% below the Wyoming median of $76,176. That places it 13th among Wyoming's 23 county-level areas.
| Household income | Sheridan County | vs Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.3% | +0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.0% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -2.3 pts |
On the low end, 22% of Sheridan County households report under $35,000; at the top, 33% report $100,000-plus. 10.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.5%). None of these numbers decides a Sheridan County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What stands out in Sheridan County
Out of every Wyoming county, Sheridan County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Wyoming counties match Sheridan County on the share of mobile homes: 6.8% here, 11.5% for the state, ranking 2nd lowest of 23. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
- On median home value, Sheridan County sits near the top of Wyoming at $394,900, 3rd highest of 23. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Sheridan County ranks 4th lowest of 23 Wyoming counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 6%, against 10% statewide. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
Sheridan County communities by population
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 75% of Sheridan County residents live in one of the 9. Story has the highest median household income on the list ($113,590) and Sheridan the lowest ($62,867), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $763 in Ranchester to $936 in Sheridan. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | city | 19,285 | $62,867 | $936 | 4 mi |
| Ranchester | town | 1,277 | $69,464 | $763 | 17 mi |
| Story | CDP | 1,054 | $113,590 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Dayton | town | 992 | $75,066 | $877 | 20 mi |
| Powder Horn | CDP | 702 | $110,096 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Parkman | CDP | 389 | $65,674 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Big Horn | CDP | 259 | $181,121 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Clearmont | town | 104 | $75,000 | $1,125 | 26 mi |
| Arvada | CDP | 10 | n/a | n/a | 37 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Sheridan County, Johnson County and other neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (53 to 79 miles). Campbell County leads the group on income ($89,869), Big Horn County trails ($58,750), and Sheridan County out-earns 5 of the six. Some neighbors are in Montana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sheridan County resident follows Wyoming rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan County | - | $71,388 | $939/mo | 71% |
| Johnson County, WY | 53 mi | $64,871 | $1,029/mo | 82% |
| Big Horn County, MT | 53 mi | $58,750 | $697/mo | 67% |
| Big Horn County, WY | 58 mi | $62,101 | $823/mo | 76% |
| Washakie County, WY | 74 mi | $65,714 | $720/mo | 74% |
| Powder River County, MT | 78 mi | $67,045 | $533/mo | 79% |
| Campbell County, WY | 79 mi | $89,869 | $1,009/mo | 78% |
Who lives in Sheridan County, in numbers
In Sheridan County, 31% of adults have at least a four-year degree (31% in Wyoming). About 9% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Sheridan County | Difference from Wyoming | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | +3.6 yrs | +1.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.1% | +0.5 pts | +8.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.8% | -2.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | -2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | +0.1 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Work from home | 9.5% | +0.1 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | -0.3 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | -1.5 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Commute length | Sheridan County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 58.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Before borrowing in Sheridan County
Where the Sheridan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Sheridan County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
A Sheridan County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Sheridan County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Sheridan County: $5,949
- Less median rent of $939, which is 16% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,143 a month
- Under a 45% cap, $2,677 total minus rent leaves $1,738
If your rent is above $939, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checklist for Sheridan County applicants
Quick steps for Sheridan County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sheridan County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sheridan County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Sheridan County residents
Sheridan County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Wyoming Division of Banking. Nationally, Sheridan County residents can file with the CFPB. The Wyoming guide covers state rules in more detail.
Other Wyoming guides
No city in Sheridan County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $71,388 a good income in Sheridan County?
It is the county median, so half of Sheridan County households earn more and half less; 33% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Sheridan County rent compare with Wyoming?
$939 locally versus $992 for the state, 5% below.
Which towns does the Sheridan County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Sheridan, Ranchester, Story, Dayton, Powder Horn.
Are Sheridan County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
What agency protects Sheridan County borrowers?
The Wyoming Division of Banking at the state level and the CFPB federally.