Laramie is a city located in Albany County, Wyoming. According to the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 27,204. Laramie, located in southeast Wyoming, on the Laramie River, is northwest of Cheyenne, and first settled in 1868. It is home to the University of Wyoming. Fort Sanders is nearby.

Laramie was important stop on the Overland Trail and transcontinental railroad in the late 19th century. In now lies along U.S. Highway 30 and Interstate 80, and remains an important junction on the Union Pacific Railroad line. The city emerged into national prominence in 1998 after the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a student at the University of Wyoming. It is widely believed he was killed because he was gay, though it is also suggested the crime was drug-related. Shepard's murder caused a national outcry including the Laramie Project, a colloboration of national celebrities campaigning against such violence.

Geography

Laramie is located at 41°18'47" North, 105°35'14" West (41.312927, -105.587251).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.9 km² (11.2 mi²). 28.9 km² (11.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.18% water.

Laramie is situated on a high plain between two mountain ranges: The Medicine Bow Range (known locally as the Snowy Range) to the west, and the Laramie Range to the east. The city is approximately 7,200 feet above sea level.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 27,204 people, 11,336 households, and 5,611 families residing in the city. The population density is 942.9/km² (2,442.5/mi²). There are 11,994 housing units at an average density of 415.7/km² (1,076.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 90.81% White, 1.24% African American, 0.89% Native American, 1.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.89% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. 7.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,336 households out of which 23.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% are married couples living together, 8.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 50.5% are non-families. 33.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.19 and the average family size is 2.83.

In the city the population is spread out with 17.5% under the age of 18, 31.8% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 107.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 106.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $27,319, and the median income for a family is $43,395. Males have a median income of $30,888 versus $22,009 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,036. 22.6% of the population and 11.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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