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Gillette, Wyoming
City
Gillette seen from Overlook Park
Gillette seen from Overlook Park
Location of Gillette in Campbell County, Wyoming.
Location of Gillette in Campbell County, Wyoming.
Country  United States
State  Wyoming
County Campbell
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
 • Body Gillette City Council
Area
 • Total 23.17 sq mi (60.01 km2)
 • Land 23.13 sq mi (59.91 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
4,554 ft (1,388 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 33,403
 • Density 1,384.66/sq mi (534.63/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code
82716-82718
Area code(s) 307, exchanges 670, 682, 685-688
FIPS code 56-31855
GNIS feature ID 1609094

Gillette ( jih-LET) is a city in and the county seat of Campbell County, Wyoming, United States. The town was founded in 1891 as a major railway town on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

The population was estimated at 32,030 as of July 1, 2019. Gillette's population increased 48% in the ten years after the 2000 census, which counted 19,646 residents after a boom in its local fossil fuel industries.

Gillette is centrally located in an area involved with the development of vast quantities of American coal, oil, and coalbed methane gas. The city calls itself the "Energy Capital of the Nation"; Wyoming provides nearly 35% of the nation's coal. However, a decline in coal use in the U.S. has led to a decline in the local economy, leading some local officials to look for other industries or employment opportunities. As a major economic hub for the county, the city is also a regional center for media, education, health, and arts.

History

Gillette was incorporated on January 6, 1892, less than two years after Wyoming became a state. The city was named after Edward Gillette, who worked as a surveyor for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Companies based in Gillette include Cloud Peak Energy.

In 1974, U.S. psychologist ElDean Kohrs used the town as the basic example of what he called the 'Gillette Syndrome': the social disruption that can occur in a community due to rapid population growth. During the 1960s, Gillette doubled its population from 3,580 to 7,194 residents. Kohrs proposed that this fast increase of population caused the phenomenon known as Gillette Syndrome, resulting in increased crime, high costs of living and weakened social and community bonds.

Geography

Gillette is located at 44°16′58″N 105°30′19″W / 44.28278°N 105.50528°W / 44.28278; -105.50528 (44.282660, −105.505256). It is situated between the Big Horn Mountains to the west and the Black Hills to the east, in the Powder River Basin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.00 square miles (49.21 km2), of which, 18.97 square miles (49.13 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.

Climate

Gillette has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk).

Climate data for Gillette, Wyoming
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19)
70
(21)
80
(27)
88
(31)
95
(35)
104
(40)
107
(42)
106
(41)
102
(39)
89
(32)
75
(24)
69
(21)
107
(42)
Average high °F (°C) 30.9
(−0.6)
36.6
(2.6)
45.2
(7.3)
54.7
(12.6)
64.5
(18.1)
76.0
(24.4)
84.5
(29.2)
83.5
(28.6)
71.8
(22.1)
58.7
(14.8)
42.1
(5.6)
32.9
(0.5)
56.8
(13.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 20.5
(−6.4)
25.7
(−3.5)
33.4
(0.8)
41.9
(5.5)
51.5
(10.8)
61.9
(16.6)
69.3
(20.7)
68.4
(20.2)
57.5
(14.2)
45.6
(7.6)
31.2
(−0.4)
22.5
(−5.3)
44.1
(6.7)
Average low °F (°C) 10.0
(−12.2)
14.8
(−9.6)
21.5
(−5.8)
29.1
(−1.6)
38.4
(3.6)
47.7
(8.7)
54.1
(12.3)
53.3
(11.8)
43.2
(6.2)
32.4
(0.2)
20.3
(−6.5)
12.1
(−11.1)
31.4
(−0.3)
Record low °F (°C) −36
(−38)
−40
(−40)
−23
(−31)
−12
(−24)
11
(−12)
28
(−2)
35
(2)
32
(0)
10
(−12)
−12
(−24)
−26
(−32)
−37
(−38)
−40
(−40)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.56
(14)
0.54
(14)
1.00
(25)
1.97
(50)
2.95
(75)
2.64
(67)
1.78
(45)
1.33
(34)
1.43
(36)
1.57
(40)
0.70
(18)
0.67
(17)
17.14
(435)
Source 1: NOAA (normals, 1971–2000)
Source 2: The Weather Channel (Records)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 151
1910 448 196.7%
1920 1,157 158.3%
1930 1,340 15.8%
1940 2,177 62.5%
1950 2,191 0.6%
1960 3,580 63.4%
1970 7,194 100.9%
1980 12,134 68.7%
1990 17,635 45.3%
2000 19,646 11.4%
2010 29,087 48.1%
2020 33,403 14.8%

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $69,581, and for a family was $78,377. Males had a median income of $41,131 versus $22,717 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,749. About 5.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Racial makeup Est. 2018 2010 2000
White 94.4% 92.2% 95.5%
Black or African American 0.4% 0.4% 0.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.8% 1.2% 1.0%
Asian 0.6% 0.7% 0.4%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.0% 0.0% 0.1%
Other race - 3.2% 1.3%
Two or more races 3.3% 2.2% 1.5%
Hispanic or Latino of any race 10.2% 9.5% 3.9%
White, not Hispanic or Latino 85.4% - -

2010 census

South Gillette Avenue looking south in Gillette, Wyoming
The Gillette downtown area on South Gillette Avenue

As of the census of 2010, 29,087 people, 10,975 households, and 7,299 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,533.3 inhabitants per square mile (592.0/km2). The 12,153 housing units averaged 640.6 per square mile (247.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.2% White, 0.4% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 3.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 9.5% of the population.

Of the 10,975 households, 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were not families. About 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 30.6 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were 18 to 24; 30.6% were 25 to 44; 24.8% were 45 to 64; and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.3% male and 47.7% female.

Gillette WY coal mines ISS
Coal mines near Gillette, from ISS, 2015
Surface coal mine detail, Gillette, Wyoming
A large surface coal mine near Gillette

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming
Campbell County Memorial Hospital

Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette is part of Campbell County Health. The hospital has 90 beds for acute care and is certified as an area trauma hospital.

Military

At Gillette is a Wyoming National Guard armory. The A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery of the Wyoming National Guard are based in Casper, Gillette, and Lander. Also, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System unit is based in Gillette. In recent years, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery have been deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

Transportation

Wyoming Highway 59 seen from Interstate 90 in Gillette, Wyoming
Wyoming Highway 59 seen from Interstate 90 in Gillette

Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport (GCC) is served by United Airlines operated by SkyWest Airlines. SkyWest currently operates six flights daily in and out of Gillette to Denver.

Highways

  • I-90
  • I-90 Bus.
  • US 14
  • US 16
  • WYO 50 (Skyline Drive)
  • WYO 51
  • WYO 59 (South – Douglas Highway)

Special facilities

At Gillette, Wyoming there is a LORAN-C transmitter at 44°00'11" N and 105°37'24" W. Its antenna, a 700 ft (213.36 meter) high guyed radio mast, is the tallest structure in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Center, a 9,000 seat arena located at the CAM-PLEX just east of the city, was completed in 2008. The CAM-PLEX hosts events ranging from concerts and balls to the National High School Finals Rodeo.

The Campbell County Recreation Center is a 190,000 square foot facility that was established April 2010 and is a popular place for Gillette residents to visit. This new facility is a great place for physical activity and recreational sports. It includes a 42-foot climbing wall resembling the Devils Tower Monument. There is also an 81,000 square foot field house that contains a six-lane track and 5 indoor tennis courts.

The Energy Capital Sports Complex is Wyoming's premier softball facility. The site features four fast-pitch softball fields that can be converted for Little League baseball. The fields use Slitfilm synthetic turf with sand-rubber infill. There is a 28,000 square foot protected spectator viewing area with a grass play area. There is also a 2.4 mile recreation trail around the complex. Since the grand opening in 2015, the Energy Capital Sports Complex has hosted many tournaments including the Razor City Softball Tournament and the 2016 Wyoming ASA State Softball Tournament.

Notable people

Mike Enzi, official portrait, 115th Congress
Mike Enzi was mayor of Gillette before serving in the Wyoming State Senate. He was a former United States senator from Wyoming.
  • Jacob M. Appel (born 1973), author, poet, bioethicist, physician, lawyer, social critic
  • Wade Brorby (born 1934), Gillette attorney, 1961–1988, United States federal appellate judge, 1988–
  • John Chick (born 1982), professional football player, 2006–2017
  • Alicia Craig (born 1982), distance runner
  • Mike Enzi (1944–2021), Mayor of Gillette, 1975–1982, Wyoming State Senator, 1993–1997, and United States Senator from Wyoming, 1997–2021
  • Joe Clifford Faust (born 1957), author
  • Bob Harris (1915–1989), professional baseball player, 1938–42
  • Burke Jackson (born 1949), Wyoming rancher, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, 2004–06
  • Mark Klaassen (born 1973), United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming
  • Tom Lubnau (born 1958), Gillette attorney, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, 2005–2015, and Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives, 2013–2015
  • Weston Ochse (born 1965), author
  • Clint Oldenburg (born 1983), professional football player, 2007–2012
  • Sue Wallis (1957–2014), poet, member of the Wyoming House of Representatives, 2007–2014
  • Ryun Williams (born 1969), women's basketball head coach, Colorado State

Sports

The Wyoming Center at the CAM-PLEX hosts sporting events including the National High School Finals Rodeo and amateur wrestling. The Spirit Hall Ice Arena is located in the east end of the Wyoming Center. The Wyoming Mustangs of the CIF use the CAM-PLEX home games.

The Campbell County Recreation Center is a 190,000-ft2 facility that was established April 2010. This facility includes a 42-ft climbing wall resembling the Devils Tower National Monument. Also, an 81,000-ft2 field house that contains basketball courts, a six-lane track, swimming and diving facilities, and five indoor tennis courts.

The Campbell County Ice Arena contains an ice rink for ice hockey and ice skating plus an area for curling.

The Energy Capital Sports Complex site has four fast-pitch softball fields that can be converted for Little League baseball. The fields use Slitfilm synthetic turf with sand-rubber infill. A 28,000-ft2 protected spectator viewing area has a grass play area. A 2.4-mi recreation trail runs around the complex. Since the grand opening in 2015, the complex has hosted many tournaments, including the Razor City Softball Tournament and the 2016 Wyoming ASA State Softball Tournament.

Education

Gillette College Main Building and bridge over Donkey Creek in Gillette, Wyoming
Gillette College main building and bridge over Donkey Creek

Public education in Gillette is provided by Campbell County School District Number 1. It is home to Campbell County High School and Thunder Basin High School. Gillette College, a two-year college, is part of the Northern Wyoming Community College District.

Gillette has a public library, a branch of the Campbell County Public Library System.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gillette (Wyoming) para niños

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