• Overview
• Strategic Plan Sections
  • Introduction
  • Forward Sheridan Background
  • Sheridan County Economy
  • Strategic Planning Process
  • Economic Development Strengths
  • Economic Development Challenges
• Initiatives
  • Airline Service
  • Careers for Young Professionals
  • Childcare
  • City/County Communication & Collaboration
  • Design Planning
  • Drug/Substance Abuse
  • Event/Convention Facilities
  • Workforce Housing
  • Workforce Shortage
  • Zoning/Land Use Planning

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This section of the EDSP summarizes current and future demographic, economic, and market conditions in Sheridan County. These trends offer a perspective on the community's economic strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, giving context to the EDSP Goals and Strategic Initiatives outlined later in this document.

3.1 Demographic Trends

Population

In 2006 the estimated population of Sheridan County was 27,720. It is estimated that the population in 2008 will be 28,310; by 2010, it is anticipated the county will reach 28,750. The current population is 48.26% male and 51.74% female.

	Sheridan (City)	Entire County
2006	16,510	27,720
2008	16,861	28,310
2010	17,124	28,750

Median Age:

In 2006, the median age of the population was 41.8, up from 40.0 in 2003.

Households:

In 2006 there were an estimated 12,034 households in Sheridan. The 2000 Census showed household counts at 11,167, up 18.5% from 1990. It is estimated the number of households in Sheridan in 2010 will be 12,556, up 12.4% from 2000.

3.2 Local Economy

The slowing national economy in the years prior to September 11, 2001, combined with national slowdowns following that date, had minimal effect on the economy in Sheridan County.

• Annual Cost of Living slightly above average (106%)
• 2-3 bedroom house rents for approx $857/mo
• Since 2002-03 sales tax revenues in Sheridan County have increased 36.6%

Income

Per Capita Personal Income -- 2005

Sheridan, WY	$38,999
State of Wyoming	$37,305
Rocky Mountain Region	$32,889
USA	$34,47

(Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis www.bea.gov)

Housing

As reported by the Sheridan County Assessor, the average home price in Sheridan County has risen 27% between 2003 and 2005.

Average Home Price in Sheridan County

2003	$146,776
2004	$163,000
2005	$186,000

From 2000 to 2005, Sheridan County has experienced an 80% increase in the number of building permits for single family dwellings (new construction).

2000	95
2001	90
2002	106
2003	215
2004	184
2005	171

3.3 Area Workforce

Sheridan's workforce is stable, with an average age of 41.8. The workforce is characterized by a mature, stable population with a strong work ethic and low unemployment rate.

With 27% of Sheridan's workforce being entrepreneurial, Sheridan boasts the second highest number of federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants in the state of Wyoming.

Workforce Availability:

Sheridan County's unemployment at the end of 2006 was 3.5%. Since 2000, Sheridan County's unemployment rate has trended at or below the state and national averages.

Labor Force Estimates in Sheridan County (Annual Averages 2000-2006)

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Labor Force	14,755	14,683	14,982	15,203	15,281	15,462	15,860
Employed	14,168	14,094	14,379	14,520	14,693	14,893	15,304
Unemployed	587	589	603	683	588	569	556
Unemployment Rate (Average)	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.5	3.8	3.7	3.5

Sources: Wyoming Department of Employment, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

3.4 Employers & Existing Industry

Overview of Area Employers

Sheridan County currently has a diverse employment base of over 1,650 employers with a workforce of over 17,500 (includes WC & UI covered and non-covered jobs). Approximately 27% of Sheridan's workforce is entrepreneurial.

TOP EMPLOYERS SHERIDAN COUNTY, WYOMING (Full-time and Part-time Staff in Sheridan County) December 2006
Company	Industry	City/Town	Sheridan County Employees
Sheridan County School Dist #2	Public School District	Sheridan	600
Sheridan Memorial Hospital	General Hospital	Sheridan	460
Veterans Health Administration	Government Medical Center	Sheridan	400
Wal-Mart Store	Department Retail & Grocery	Sheridan	333
Sheridan College	Jr. College	Sheridan	275
Spring Creek Coal	Coal Min	Decker, MT	205
Sheridan County School Dist #1	Public School District	Ranchester/ Dayton/Big Horn	195
SSC Sheridan Operating Co/Sheridan Manor	Skilled Nursing Care Facility	Sheridan	160
Decker Coal Mine	Coal Mine	Decker MT	156
Sheridan County YMCA	Family Physical Fitness Services, Child Care Services	Sheridan	152
Holiday Inn	Hotel/Motel/Hospitality	Sheridan	150
Rehabilitation Enterprises of Northeast Wyo (RENEW)	Job Training/Related Services	Sheridan	141
Normative Services, Inc.	Private Elem/Secondary School	Sheridan	130
Bighorn National Forest Service	Government Ag/Forestry	Sheridan	110
Westview Health Care Center	Skilled Nursing Care Facility	Sheridan	106
Home Depot	Retail - Building Supplies	Sheridan	92
Volunteers of America		Sheridan	92
Pearl Development	CBM	Sheridan	90
Wyoming Sawmills, Inc.	Manufacturing (sawing & planning mill)	Sheridan	89
Wyoming Girls School	Government/Education	Sheridan	86
First Interstate Bank	State Bank	Sheridan	85
Intermountain Construction	Construction Materials	Sheridan	80
Craig Scheckla LLC	Trucking/Transportation	Sheridan	80
Sheridan Senior Center	Senior Services/Healthcare	Sheridan	80
Albertson's Grocery Store	Retail Grocery	Sheridan	72
Tomahawk Pipeline Construction	CBM Support Services	Sheridan	70
RockWell Petroleum	Whole Petroleum products	Sheridan	64