Sheridan County is a county in Wyoming, United States, on the Montana border at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. It had a population of 30,921 at the 2020 census and covers 2,527 square miles (6,545 km2) centred near 44°47′N 106°53′W.
Sheridan is the county seat and its postal code is 82801. The county has one city, three incorporated towns, five census-designated places, and more than a dozen unincorporated communities. It sits in the Mountain time zone and carries FIPS code 56033.
Towns & Villages in Sheridan County
Twenty-two named places appear on maps and postal records across the county. One — Sheridan — is an incorporated city and the seat; Clearmont, Dayton, and Ranchester are incorporated towns; Arvada, Big Horn, Parkman, Powder Horn, and Story are unincorporated census-designated places; the rest are unincorporated communities or rural post-office points with no formal town government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | City · seat | — | 82801 |
| Dayton | Town | — | 82836 |
| Ranchester | Town | — | 82839 |
| Clearmont | Town | — | 82835 |
| Big Horn | CDP | — | 82833 |
| Story | CDP | — | 82842 |
| Arvada | CDP | — | 82831 |
| Parkman | CDP | — | 82838 |
| Powder Horn | CDP | — | — |
| Banner | Unincorp. | — | 82832 |
| Wyarno | Unincorp. | — | 82845 |
| Leiter | Unincorp. | — | 82837 |
| Wolf | Unincorp. | — | 82844 |
| Monarch | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ucross | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Acme | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Beckton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Burgess Junction | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Kendrick | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Kleenburn | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ulm | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Verona | Unincorp. | — | — |
Most of the unincorporated points — Acme, Beckton, Kendrick, Kleenburn, Monarch, Ucross, Ulm, and Verona — share a Sheridan or Dayton mailing address and have no ZIP code of their own; they are rural crossroads, ranch communities, or old coal-camp sites rather than towns.
ZIP Codes
- 82801 — Sheridan
- 82836 — Dayton
- 82839 — Ranchester
- 82835 — Clearmont
- 82833 — Big Horn
- 82842 — Story
- 82838 — Parkman
- 82831 — Arvada
- 82832 — Banner
- 82845 — Wyarno
- 82837 — Leiter
- 82844 — Wolf
Communities without a listed ZIP, including Acme, Beckton, Burgess Junction, Kendrick, Kleenburn, Monarch, Ucross, Ulm, and Verona, use the Sheridan (82801) or Dayton (82836) post office depending on location.
Geography
Sheridan County spans the transition from the high plains to the Bighorn Mountains, which rise along its western edge inside Bighorn National Forest. The Tongue River and Goose Creek drain the county eastward toward the Powder River basin, and Burgess Junction sits high in the mountains along US-14, a popular gateway to the Bighorn Scenic Byway. The county borders Big Horn County and Powder River County, Montana, to the north; Campbell County, Wyoming, to the east; Johnson County, Wyoming, to the south; and Big Horn County, Wyoming, to the west across the mountain crest.
Neighboring counties: Big Horn County, Montana and Powder River County, Montana (north), Campbell County (east), Johnson County (south), and Big Horn County (west).
Demographics
Sheridan County had 30,921 residents at the 2020 census. Sheridan, the county seat, and Ranchester are its two largest incorporated communities. Median household income in the county runs close to the Wyoming median of $72,415, reflecting a mix of ranching, energy, and health-care/education wages. Population density is roughly 12 people per square mile, concentrated around Sheridan and the Tongue River valley.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching and hay production anchor the rural economy, alongside coal, oil, and gas activity tied to the Powder River Basin east of the city. Sheridan itself is a regional hub for health care (Sheridan Memorial Hospital) and higher education (Sheridan College), with a growing tourism and outdoor-recreation sector built around the Bighorn Mountains, Bighorn National Forest, and dude ranches near Big Horn and Story. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo, held every July, is the county’s signature annual event.
History
Sheridan County was organized on March 9, 1888, carved from Johnson County territory, and named for Union general Philip Sheridan. In 1897 part of Sheridan County was in turn split off to help form Big Horn County, Wyoming. Coal mining around Kleenburn, Monarch, and Acme drove early growth along the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad line before the mines closed in the mid-20th century, and the Bozeman Trail once crossed the county’s northern reaches.
Getting There
Interstate 90 runs north-south through the county, linking Sheridan to Billings, Montana, and Buffalo, Wyoming; US-14 and US-87 cross through Dayton and Ranchester toward the Bighorn Mountains.
- Billings, Montana — about 130 miles north
- Gillette — about 90 miles east
- Buffalo — about 35 miles south
- Cody — about 110 miles west
Sheridan County Airport (SHR) offers general aviation and limited commercial service; the nearest major commercial airport is Billings Logan International.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sheridan County, Wyoming?
It is in north-central Wyoming, on the Montana border at the eastern foot of the Bighorn Mountains.
What is the population of Sheridan County?
30,921 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Sheridan County?
2,527 square miles (6,545 km2), including about 3 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Sheridan County?
Sheridan is the county seat.
How many towns are in Sheridan County?
One city (Sheridan), three incorporated towns (Clearmont, Dayton, Ranchester), five census-designated places, and about a dozen smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Sheridan County?
Twelve, led by 82801 (Sheridan), 82836 (Dayton), and 82839 (Ranchester).
What mountains border Sheridan County?
The Bighorn Mountains rise along its western edge, largely within Bighorn National Forest.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Wyoming.