Green River is a city in and the county seat of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 11,825 at the 2020 census. It is the 7th most populous city in Wyoming.
History
The townsite of Green River, Dakota Territory was platted by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1867. Although the Territory of Wyoming was created on July 25, 1868, the Town of Green River was incorporated on August 21,1868 under the laws of the previous Territory of Dakota since the laws of the Wyoming Territory had yet to be written. The Town of Green River was re-incorporated on June 10, 1891 under the laws of the State of Wyoming to remove any ambiguity.
The Union Pacific Railroad reached Green River on October 1, 1868 and was supposed to be the site of a division point for the railroad. Railroad officials were surprised to find that a town of 2000 residents and permanent adobe buildings had been established there, likely requiring costly negotiations for railroad land. They moved the division point west, creating the town of Bryan, on the Blacks Fork of the Green River. Just when Green River was on the verge of becoming a ghost town, Blacks Fork dried up during a drought and the railroad was forced to move the division point back to Green River to ensure adequate water for its steam locomotives. Bryan became the ghost town.
On May 24, 1869, John Wesley Powell launched the Powell Geographic Expedition from Green River.
On November 16, 1931, the Town of Green River passed the Green River Ordinance that prohibited door-to-door selling. Other towns across the country would adopt the ordinance.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Green River has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Green River was on July 8, 1954, while the coldest temperature recorded was on December 31, 1978.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,515 people, 4,642 households, and 3,406 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 5,002 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.1% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.4% of the population.
There were 4,642 households, of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.6% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.12.
The median age in the city was 33.9 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 8.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.6% male and 48.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,808 people, 4,177 households, and 3,212 families living in the city. The population density was 861.5 people per square mile (332.5/km2). There were 4,426 housing units at an average density of 322.9 per square mile (124.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.13% White, 0.27% African American, 1.36% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.23% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.21% of the population.
There were 4,177 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.