As of the census of 2010, there were 9,259 people, 3,443 households, and 2,206 families living in the city.[3] The population density was 1,123.7 inhabitants per square mile (433.9/km2). There were 3,960 housing units at an average density of 480.6 per square mile (185.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.7% White, 1.1% African American, 1.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.3% of the population.
There were 3,443 households, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.7% male and 45.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 8,538 people, 3,320 households, and 2,237 families living in the city. The population density was 1,153.4 people per square mile (445.5/km2). There were 3,860 housing units at an average density of 521.4 per square mile (201.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.86% White, 0.81% African American, 1.46% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 8.28% from other races, and 2.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.05% of the population.
There were 3,320 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,600, and the median income for a family was $42,137. Males had a median income of $33,179 versus $22,580 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,887. About 10.4% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.28 square miles (21.45 km2), of which 8.24 square miles (21.34 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[11] The city is approximately 6800 feet (2073 m) above sea level.
All residents are zoned to Rawlins Elementary School (elementary students formerly went to either Pershing, Mountain View, Sunny Side, or Highlands Hills Elementary School), Rawlins Middle School and Rawlins High School; Rawlins also offers an alternative school, the Carbon County Co-operative High School.
Western Wyoming Community College also offers outreach programs through the Carbon County Higher Education Center. The main campus is housed in the former Sunny Side Elementary School building.
Rawlins has a public library, a branch of the Carbon County Library System.[18]
Media
Rawlins is served by one print newspaper, the Rawlins Daily Times.
The town's two radio stations, KRAL and KIQZ have both been silent for some time. The stations are owned by Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting, Inc. Sources connected to the FCC say, "...that any station owned or operated by Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting will "not likely" have their licenses renewed once they expire, due to the history of "past violations and cavalier attitude(s) towards following and maintaining" rules and regulations, and that this and other Mt. Rushmore stations could have their broadcasting rights taken away "at almost any moment." In early 2015, it was reported that staff had unexpectedly resigned, and there was difficulty finding new employees.
East–west interstate running from New York City to San Francisco. I-80 runs through the south side of Rawlins, leading east 99 miles (159 km) to Laramie and west 108 miles (174 km) to Rock Springs. The I-80 business loop runs through the center of Rawlins, following Cedar Street before turning north onto Third Street, and then west onto Spruce Street.
Runs through Rawlins on east Cedar Street before moving north onto North Higley Boulevard (the 287 bypass). Leads northwest 125 miles (201 km) to Lander and east with I-80 to Laramie.
Wyoming Highway 78, also known as South Higley Boulevard, begins at the Wyoming State Penitentiary south of Rawlins, until ending at Wyoming 71 near I-80 exit 214.
Runs concurrent with the I-80 business loop via Spruce Street before turning north on Third Street. Wyoming 789 meets US 287 north of town, where it runs concurrent with this highway.
"Rawlins Red" is a red pigment containing hematite, an oxide of iron that was mined near Rawlins. Paint containing Rawlins Red has anti-rust properties and is thought to have been used as the original paint on the Brooklyn Bridge.[19]
Republic of Texas
Rawlins displays a historical marker denoting the northernmost border of the Republic of Texas, which claimed land as far north as Carbon County. [20]
^"Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^Stewart, George R. (1970) American Place-Names, p. 401, New York, NY: Oxford University Press. The city is known as the only Wyoming county seat to originally be a part of the Republic of Texas before the area was given to the various territories in 1850.
^"Station: Rawlins Muni AP, WY". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
United States
Wyoming
Carbon
