City profile · Wyoming · Census ACS 2023

Medicine Bow, WY

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

257
Residents
$31,538
Median income
$72,300
Median home
$963
Median rent (state)

Medicine Bow - the verdict

Medicine Bow ranks in the 3rd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
2nd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Medicine Bow, WY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 257 residents in Medicine Bow, a small town within Wyoming. The typical household in Medicine Bow brings in $31,538 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 38.6%. Medicine Bow's housing stock carries a median value of $72,300, and the median resident age is 65.2 years. 11.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 38.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Medicine Bow (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA puts Medicine Bow's yearly average temperature at 42.2°F with 11.2 inches of precipitation per year and 51.7 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. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Wyoming's average monthly utility costs around $180 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 48.5 out of 100 (Low).

Population

257 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wyoming

Median Household Income

$31,538 /yr

Poverty 38.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wyoming average

How does Medicine Bow compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 2% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities

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

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 Medicine Bow'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.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Medicine Bow's home value compares nationally

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

$72,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 98% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. Medicine Bow $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 - Medicine Bow, WY Medicine Bow, WY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Medicine Bow, 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 Medicine Bow, WY median $31,538/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%
Medicine Bow, 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 Medicine Bow, WY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 38.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 38.1%

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

Population
257
Median Income
$31,538
Median Home Value
$72,300
Median Age
65.2
Poverty Rate
38.6%
Labor force participation
38.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.2°F
Annual Precipitation
11.2"
Annual Snowfall
51.7"

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
230 residents235 residents240 residents245 residents250 residents 202020212022202320242025 241 residents 235 residents ▼ -2.5%
Medicine Bow's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 2
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
0.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.3%
Work from Home
13.0%
Other
6.6%

Based on 92 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 Medicine Bow 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

Homa Hills
260 people
Kaycee
254 people
Kelly
254 people
Rock River
254 people
Hill View Heights
249 people
Glendo
241 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Medicine Bow's 257 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Buckner, AR
257 people
Bethune, CO
257 people
Bloomington, ID
257 people
East Hope, ID
257 people
Fillmore, IL
257 people
Olmsted, IL
257 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Medicine Bow's $31,538 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Newton, GA
$31,538 median income
Beulah, MS
$31,542 median income
Southwest Harbor, ME
$31,518 median income
Livingston Manor, NY
$31,560 median income
Carrizo, AZ
$31,563 median income
Jeddito, AZ
$31,563 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Medicine Bow, 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 Medicine Bow, WY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.9% 7.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.5% White 82.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 4.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.5% Two or more races 7.4% 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 Medicine Bow 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
Medicine Bow (this city) 257 $31,538
Homa Hills 260 $125,865
Kaycee 254 $46,250
Kelly 254 N/A
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WY NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Medicine Bow, WY?

What is the population of Medicine Bow, WY? +

Medicine Bow, WY has a population of 257 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Medicine Bow, WY? +

Medicine Bow households earn a median of $31,538 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Medicine Bow? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Medicine Bow; 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.

What is the median home value in Medicine Bow, WY? +

Homes in Medicine Bow carry a median value of $72,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Medicine Bow? +

Climate normals put Medicine Bow's yearly average temperature at 42.2°F, 11.2 inches of precipitation, and 51.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.