City profile · Wyoming · Census ACS 2023

Laramie, WY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Laramie - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

31,848
Residents
$52,414
Median income
$302,200
Median home
$963
Median rent (state)

Laramie - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Laramie places in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
65th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
52nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Laramie, WY

31,848 people live in Laramie, Wyoming - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Laramie brings in $52,414 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.8%. Laramie's housing stock carries a median value of $302,200, and the median resident age is 26.9 years. Educational attainment runs 55.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 78 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 13% from five years earlier. Laramie reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1293.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 43.0°F with 13.1 inches of precipitation per year and 64.1 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wyoming run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Wyoming at 92.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $963 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $180 across Wyoming, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Laramie workers runs 12.3 minutes, with 65.7% driving alone and 8.9% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 48.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

31,848 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wyoming

Median Household Income

$52,414 /yr

Poverty 6.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wyoming average

How does Laramie compare to other US cities?

Laramie measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 65% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Wyoming alone, Laramie ranks #14 of 24 Wyoming cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Laramie's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wyoming, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

23rdIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Laramie's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Laramie's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 46 Avg. percentile National median
Laramie's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Laramie's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$302,200 35th percentile more affordable than 35% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Laramie $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Laramie, WY Laramie, WY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Laramie, WY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Laramie, WY median $52,414/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Laramie, WY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Laramie, WY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 55.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
31,848
Median Income
$52,414
Median Home Value
$302,200
Median Age
26.9
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor force participation
66.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
55.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1293.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
129.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1163.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.0°F
Annual Precipitation
13.1"
Annual Snowfall
64.1"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
31,000 residents31,500 residents32,000 residents32,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 31,421 residents 32,284 residents ▲ +2.7%
Laramie's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
78
housing units authorized
Single-Family
30
detached homes
Multifamily
48
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 69
2020 114
2021 51
2022 46
2023 58
2024 78

Permit volume increased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
12.3 minutes
Drive Alone
65.7%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
9.0%
Work from Home
8.9%
Other
5.5%

Based on 18,077 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wyoming - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$180
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wyoming state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wyoming state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Laramie sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$963/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
48.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wyoming

Gillette
33,278 people
Rock Springs
23,229 people
Sheridan
19,035 people
Evanston
11,803 people
Green River
11,679 people
Riverton
10,803 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Laramie's 31,848 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Marrero, LA
31,866 people
Elizabethtown, KY
31,870 people
Carlsbad, NM
31,813 people
Pekin, IL
31,812 people
Michigan City, IN
31,894 people
Sun City Center, FL
31,801 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Laramie's $52,414 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mulberry, NC
$52,416 median income
Dover Beaches North, NJ
$52,417 median income
Lake George, NY
$52,411 median income
Norfolk, NY
$52,411 median income
Westport, WA
$52,407 median income
Geuda Springs, KS
$52,422 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Laramie, WY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Laramie, WY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.8% 7.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.7% White 83.8% Black or African American 1.4% Asian 4.1% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 7.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Laramie compares to nearby Wyoming cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Laramie (this city) 31,848 $52,414
Gillette 33,278 $90,699
Rock Springs 23,229 $73,307
Sheridan 19,035 $61,598
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Laramie, WY?

What is the population of Laramie, WY? +

31,848 people live in Laramie, WY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Laramie, WY? +

Laramie households earn a median of $52,414 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Laramie? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Laramie; the closest available measure is the Wyoming state average, a cost of living index of 92.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wyoming vary by metro area.

Is Laramie, WY safe? +

Laramie has a total crime rate of 1293.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Laramie, WY? +

A typical home in Laramie is worth $302,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Laramie? +

Laramie has an average annual temperature of 43.0°F, 13.1 inches of precipitation, and 64.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.