Rawlins
Rawlins
Population
8,623
Rawlins was founded in 1868 with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad and incorporated in 1886. Located on Interstate 80 at the southeastern edge of the Great Divide Basin, Rawlins serves as the county seat of Carbon County. It is a city where colorful Old West history intersects with a modern, multicultural community. Residents and visitors enjoy a nationally-recognized historic downtown district, two museums, a recreation center, an aquatics center and 18-hole golf course.
Public Education
Rawlins has 4 public schools and a total enrollment of about 1,537 students. Carbon County School District #1 includes: Rawlins Elementary (K-5), Rawlins Middle School (6-8), Rawlins High School (9-12) and Cooperative High (9-12). Rawlins High School has a graduation rate of 91% ; Cooperative High has a graduation rate of 30%.
The cost of living in Rawlins is 13.8% lower than the U.S. average.
Income
Households in Rawlins earn a median yearly income of $80,144. 36.12% of the households earn more than the national average each year. Household expenditures average $75,780 per year.
Housing
71.48% of the people in Rawlins are homeowners. The median home cost in Rawlins is $188,400. Homes here have appreciated in value by 67.7% over the last 10 years. The average rent for a 2-bedroom dwelling is $912/month.
Sources:
Wyoming Business Council and Best Places.
Healthcare
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving an area of approximately 7,000 square miles in Wyoming. A community trauma center adjacent to the Interstate-80 corridor, physician staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our Emergency Room treats five-to-six-thousand patients on an annual basis and services two ambulance providers in the county. The main hospital is located in Rawlins, with family practice clinics available in Rawlins, Saratoga, and Hanna.
Carbon County Public Health, located in Rawlins, WY, monitors public health risks, coordinates Rawlins agencies responding to public health threats, and enforces Wyoming public health standards. As a Department of Public Health (DPH), the department works to prevent the spread of diseases, promote healthy behaviors, and ensure a clean water supply. The Health Department also provides access to Carbon County public records.
Things to Do
Carbon County Museum
Learn about Rawlins and the history of western expansion at the Carbon County Museum. The museum collection includes over 30,000 artifacts and archive items. Admission is free and open year round.
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Continental Divide Trail - Rawlins
Carbon County's trail segment travels along the spine of the Rocky Mountains and through the Great Divide Basin. Rawlins, a Continental Divide Gateway Community, is a great place to refresh and refuel. The CDT passes through Rawlins, offering opportunities to shop, dine and stroll through Historic Downtown Rawlins.
Historic Downtown Rawlins
Enjoy great dining and out-of-the-ordinary shopping amid several buildings that have been restored to reflect the area’s historic and architectural character. Five Walking Tours tell the story of Rawlins and the West through art murals and historic sites. Cool off at our new splash pad!
Rawlins Aquatic Center
Located inside the Rawlins High School, the aquatics center includes a lazy river, corkscrew slide, splash pad, 8 lane competitive pool and a leisure pool with a slide. It is open to the public with designated times for public swim and water aerobics.
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Rawlins Family Recreation Center
This city operated facility features a weight room, cardio equipment, fitness classes, three gymnasiums, racquetball, wallyball, volleyball and programming for seniors, adults, and youth. Daily use and memberships are available.
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Rawlins Indoor Shooting Facility
Located inside the Rawlins Family Recreation Center, the indoor range has 8 firing lanes that allow discharge of weapons with velocity up to 2000 feet per second. Pistol and .22 rifle rentals. Daily fee. Open November 1 - April 30.
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Rawlins Outdoor Shooting Range
Practice your shots at this city-managed shooting complex. Ten pistol bays with various targets, rifle ranges, skeet, trap, 5-stand and archery with a shooting stand and 3D targets. Open to May 1 - October 31.
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Rochelle Ranch Golf Course
This city-owned, links-style golf course is currently the longest in Wyoming. Ranked 2nd in Golfweek Magazine's "Best 2021 Public Courses in Wyoming", this 18-hole championship course offers enjoyment and challenges for players of all abilities.
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Seminoe State Park
Located 30 miles north of Sinclair, on the northwest side of the reservoir, this state park is surrounded by scenic views. Campsites are by reservation only.
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Sierra Madre Mountain Range
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range is lightly visited, making it possible to camp, hunt and explore dense areas, hike, bike, ski, and snowmobile scenic trails, and fish for hours without seeing another soul. The Encampment River, Hog Park Reservoir, Green Mountain Falls and a large segment of the Continental Divide Trail are unique to these mountains.
Wyoming Frontier Prison
Built in the late 1800’s, the facility served as Wyoming’s first state penitentiary for 80 years. One-hour guided tours are available year round. Shop the Old Pen Gift Shop and follow the City of Rawlins walking path up to the old prison cemetery.
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