About Lincoln County
Lincoln County, Wyoming, created on February 21, 1911, from part of Uinta County and named after President Abraham Lincoln, is located in the state’s southwest corner, bordering Idaho and Utah. With a 2025 estimated population of 21,298, it spans 4,095 square miles, with Kemmerer as the county seat. The area was historically inhabited by Shoshone tribes and saw European-American exploration via the Oregon Trail. Settlement grew with the Oregon Short Line railroad in the 1880s and the founding of J.C. Penney’s first store in Kemmerer in 1902. The economy thrives on agriculture (ranching and dairy), mining (coal, oil, gas), and tourism, with attractions like Fossil Butte National Monument and Star Valley’s recreational offerings. The county’s racial makeup is 93.5% white, with a median household income of $86,092 and a poverty rate of 7.07%. Notable events include the 1919 conviction of cattle rustler Annie Richey and the 1986 Cokeville hostage crisis. Lincoln County remains a Republican stronghold, with 82.1% voting for Trump in 2020.
Lincoln County, Wyoming is a huge county, with a wide array of topography, stretching from Kemmerer and Diamondville in the east to Alpine in the west. Named for President Abraham Lincoln, when it was created in 1911, it was organized in 1913. In 1921, portions of the county were annexed to form Sublette and Teton counties. orders on the west by UT and Idaho. Kemmerer, its county seat has historically been a major producer of coal and underground drilling, but is poised to house a nuclear power plant in the future. Kemmerer was the site of J.C. Penney’s mother store, which spawned a national network of department stores.
Attractions include Fossil Butte Monument, an important archeological site between Cokeville and Kemmerer; Pine Creek Ski Resort near Cokeville; and the Star Valley in the west. Each area has an incredible array of fascinating history and local lore. We invite you to explore along Hwy 89 to discover this amazing piece of America. Wyoming- it’s what America Used to Be!
Lincoln County Communities & Resources
