Why Nobody Lives in Wyoming

Did you know that Wyoming is 324 times larger than the city of New York, but only has a population that is 14 times smaller than New York City? Of course I realize that Wyoming is a whole state, and NYC is just a city (the nations biggest in fact), but it's kind of astonishing that one city can have 14 times more people than a whole state that dwarfs it in size. Now you probably hardly ever hear about the state of Wyoming, but it's growing..and beautiful and affordable. So then today's video looks at why nobody lives in Wyoming, because for it's size and scale Wyoming has very very few residents, not when compared to other states, but when compared to cities.

Subscribe to Something Different:

[SomethingDifferentFilms]

The Wyoming Territory was carved out of Utah, Dakota, and Idaho; I didn't catch my mistake until a viewer commented about it, I am sincerely sorry about that.

[NorthWyo]

Reasons why people don’t live in Wyoming: the wind, a good bit of it’s landmass is federal land, the dying energy sector, wicked winters that last at least 6 months, lack of amenities, the wind, a lot of it is desert, lack of water in said desert, grizzly bears and more wind. For real.

[stziggy]

The open space, laid back people, and emptiness of Wyoming is a big part of why I love Wyoming.

[demiurgiac]

Many years ago (Living in Seattle) I spent a summer riding my motorcycle around the country. One of my all-time favorite memories is the day I pulled into Rawlins and was "arrested" for "not wearing western cloths!" I was put on trial right there and found guilty. The "judge" told me I had my choice of sentences... a 50 cent fine or "Hung by the neck until dead!" When I chose to pay the fine I was handed 2 wooden nickels, each one good for a cold beer in any bar in town. Turns out they were celebrating an outlaw (Big Nose Jack) who was hung there after killing a popular local sheriff. What a hoot that day turned out to be.

[dynagaming]

Having worked in Wyoming on different infrastructure projects when I work in construction, it's very evident why not many people want to live there. The environment is constantly trying to kill you, especially in the wintertime. Coming from Pennsylvania, I thought it got cold where I live, but boy was I mistaken. The biggest thing is the wind. I cannot stress how deeply irritating it is to constantly have this brutal, cold wind relentlessly hitting you. It. Never. Stops. Absolutely beautiful state, though.

[unknownhuman]

I was stuck in Wyoming last spring during a snow storm, and I told my family that it's going to be our home someday. It's the most beautiful, peaceful, brutal place I've ever seen.

[bernie]

I am an Aussie and I always wanted to go to Wyoming ever since I read the Flicka books. I got on a greyhound in Denver and got off at Wheatland and hired a car and got as far as Casper. Saw the Oregon trail tracks. It was early Spring and still snowy. One of my best memories was cruising down the freeway with the radio on. The sun was shining. On came “The Joker”by Steve Miller, then Fleetwood Mac. Good times. There is something about small towns and open space that feels more healthy and natural to me. I don’t think humans were made to live on top of each other. You need to live where the stars shine bright at night and you can hear an owl hooting. Luckily I’ve got a little place in rural Victoria that I can get to on weekends.

[diamondintherough]

From FL just went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton last month and have to say Wyoming is gorgeous!!😍 love it so much the sun sets later, the air is fresh and the water is freezing and refreshing. Definitely somewhere everyone needs to visit at least once in this life. Makes you really appreciate all the beauty God created ❤😊

[marymcreynolds]

My dad was a drilling mud engineer for Baroid. He checked rigs all over Wyoming when I was K-2nd grade. I remember Riverton, every house we lived in for those 3 years, my two schools, the far country of the state, the Tetons, Wind River Canyon, the balancing rock johnnies, Devil's Tower. I consider my short time there a highlight in my lifel I am now 75.

[robbinmcvay]

I've lived in Wyoming all of my life and we love not having a lot of people!

[amileinmyshoes]

Wyoming was my home for 25 years. Living there was like being in love with a beautiful woman… who’s always trying to kill you. Between sub-zero temperatures, avalanches, icy roads, and grizzly bears… every time you go into the backcountry (which is everywhere around you) death is a very real possibility.

I was on search and rescue with both Teton and Fremont Counties, so I saw nearly every manner of death the environment had to offer; drownings, rock falls, plane crashes, bear attacks, hunting accidents, avalanches, hypothermia, logging accidents, climbing accidents, and all on a regular basis. Living there is a daily exercise in cheating death.

Now you know the real reason why Wyoming is the least populated state in the US.

[Jorge.Painkiller]

My plan in life is to move to Wyoming, as an introvert. Although I hate the cold and temperatures lower than 70°F, I can try to stand it in order to live in such a calm place

[Nina-iggv]

As someone watching from Sydney, Wyoming sounds perfect for tourists that hate bustling cities and noises. The landscape and the fact that it's safe appeals to me. Would love to visit one day!

[Johnnyjingles]

My wife's uncle bought what he thought was "hunting land" in Wyoming without going to actually see it. When he finally went to check it out in person he noticed that there was no water source for animals anywhere on his property or anywhere near it thus no animals to hunt. I think he only went the one time and has been trying to sell it for years now. It upsets him so much nobody even brings up Wyoming when he's around.

[ickster]

That means Wyoming also has the smallest population of Karen's. Sounds like paradise.

[AlligatorArms]

I’m from the Midwest, but I spent a week in Wyoming on geology field camp in 2002. Spent my 21st birthday & bought my first legal beer in the great city of Buffalo, WY. There wasn’t much there besides that hotel and gas station, despite a major interstate passing through it. The city of Cody was one of the most unique places I’ve ever seen with how much they lean into their western roots. I hope it’s still like that. And the drive on US 14/16/20 from Cody to Yellowstone is still one of the most beautiful scenic drives I’ve ever seen. Living there’s probably not for me…can definitely see its appeal for the few ppl who do live there…but I can’t wait to visit there again.

[tattyshoesshigure]

I visited Wyoming as part of a road trip holiday in 2017, and also to see the total eclipse on August 21st. I found it a really beautiful place, with the town of Laramie being an absolute delight. I went to Glendo National Park for the eclipse & was lucky enough to have clear blue skies for the event - the first ‘total eclipse’ I’d ever witnessed. Driving across the state on IS80 was a great experience… the huge horizons were an awesome sight for someone who lives in the ‘crowded house’ of S.E.England… as were the vast open spaces all around. I appreciate it must be a tough environment in winter, but like all of the bits of the USA I have seen on my road trips there, it is really very beautiful!

[daddysdarlin]

I lived in Wyoming, my sister still does. The people there are so kind and gracious. It's the winters I can't do anymore. Wonderful people everywhere! No state taxes!

[PaulStPaul-syne]

We want to keep Wyoming the way it is, wild, open, and free.

[angelsong]

In the 80s we lived on the outskirts of Evanston. It was during the oil boom so there were people from all walks of life. Those eight years gave me a perspective on life that I will always treasure. Yes, the climate was/is harsh; it is, after all, a high desert plain. But it was the people. Mostly those who grew up there. Never since have I experienced the quality of character as that of the people of Wyoming. Honest. Hard working. Friendly. Caring. Trustworthy. Compassionate. It didn't matter what country road, which small town, which farmer working his land, we all gave each other a wave as we drove by. If a person needed help on the side of the road at two or three of us would stop. I say "us" because there existed an unspoken understanding between people that you weren't an outsider. You were part of a community of people who truly cared about one another. The easy going nature of people who had nothing to hide because they were genuine. I'm much older now but could still see myself retiring there if there was enough health care available. I miss standing outside at night seeing the sky fill with stars. The cool breeze always began to flow as the sun set. The scent of sagebrush and pine. The voices of the coyotes and wolves in the darkness. The endless fields of gold in September.The different types of bales awhile later. Eagles and hawks, the permanent residents. The migration of those who would return next year. The beauty of Spring. The heat of Summer. The colors of Autumn. The sparkling pristine snows of Winter. Wyoming is not for everyone...
Yet I will always remember the beauty my eyes saw. In the land and in the people ❤