Cody, Wyoming

Geography

Cody is located at 44°31′24″N 109°3′26″W (44.523244, −109.057109).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.43 square miles (27.01 km²), of which, 10.20 square miles (26.42 km²) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km²) is water.

Cody's elevation is about 5016 ft (1,500 m) above sea level. The main part of the city is split across three levels, separated by about 60 feet (18 m).

The Shoshone River flows through Cody in a fairly deep canyon. There are four bridges over this river in the Cody vicinity, one at the north edge of town that allows travel to the north, and one about 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Cody that allows passage to Powell and the areas to the north and east. The other two are west of town; one allows access to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, and the other is used by fishermen in Shoshone Canyon and as access to the Buffalo Bill Dam.

Cody is located at the western edge of the Bighorn Basin, a depression surrounded by the Big Horn, Owl Creek, Bridger, and Absaroka ranges. At the western edge of Cody, a deep canyon formed by the Shoshone River provides the only passage to Yellowstone's Eastern Entrance. At its mouth and rising above Cody are Rattlesnake Mountain on the north side and Cedar Mountain on the south side. Most of Cody has a spectacular view of Heart Mountain, whose 8,123 ft (2,500 m) peak is 9 miles (14 km) directly north of Cody, and the Carter Mountains, which form a line with peaks at about 12,000 ft (3,700 m), some 15 miles (24 km) to the south.

Climate

Cody experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with highly variable conditions. Relative humidity is usually a fairly dry 30% or less. Precipitation averages 10.5 inches or 266.7 millimetres annually, including 42.5 inches or 1.08 metres of snow per season. Due to the aridity, snow cover is highly unreliable, with 27 days per season with 1 inch or 0.025 metres or more on the ground. Cody enjoys about 300 days of sunshine per year.

Wind is almost a constant presence in the Cody area and the Big Horn Basin in general. Air flow in the Basin is turbulent, but during the winter most storms move in from the north-northwest. During the summer, it is not unusual to see storms move in from the southwest. Throughout a normal day, winds can be experienced as coming from almost any direction, mostly from the north and west, but sometimes from the south and east. The Canyon at the west end of Cody funnels rain and wind across the city from the west. The winds can be quite strong at 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to 64 km/h) and last for several days.

Because of the dry climate, the entire area is laced with irrigation canals, holding ponds, laterals, and drops. The Buffalo Bill Dam between Rattlesnake and Cedar mountains forms a large reservoir about 10 miles (16 km) to the west of Cody. This reservoir (among others) feeds the Shoshone Project, a large irrigation water distribution system.

The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 25.9 °F or −3.4 °C in December to 69.9 °F or 21.1 °C in July. An average of 13.8 days have highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 13.2 days have lows of 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower; the average window for freezing temperatures is September 27 thru May 14 and for measurable (≥0.1 inches or 0.25 centimetres snow, October 24 thru April 17. The record high temperature was 105 °F or 40.6 °C on July 14, 1925, and the record low temperature was −46 °F or −43.3 °C on February 8, 1936.

The wettest calendar year has been 1991 with 16.04 inches (407.4 mm) and the driest 1956 with 3.58 inches (90.9 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 5.76 in (146 mm) in June 1992. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 2.51 inches or 64 millimetres on July 22, 1973. There are an average of 70 days with measurable precipitation. The most snow in one year was 73.4 inches (1.86 m) between July 1916 and June 1917. The most snow in one month was 26.3 inches (0.67 m) in January 1972.

Culture

Themes surrounding Cody's pioneer and Cowboy and Western history are common in the cultural events and activities in the area.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, previously the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, is a large and modern facility located near the center of the city. It contains five museums in one, including the Draper Natural History Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum which chronicles the life of William F. Cody, for whom the historical center is named. The historical center maintains large collections. It is a favorite stopping point for tourists passing through the town, on their way to or from Yellowstone.

Old Trail Town, a restoration of more than twenty-five historic Western buildings and artifacts is located in Cody just off the Yellowstone Highway.

Rodeo is important in the culture in Cody, which calls itself the "Rodeo Capital of the World". The Cody Nite Rodeo is an amateur rodeo every night from June 1 through August 31.

Cody is also host to the Cody Stampede Rodeo. The Stampede is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo and is one of the largest rodeos in the nation that is held over the Independence Day Holiday. Many of the top cowboys in the country attend. The stampede has been held from July 1–4 every year since 1919.

The Cody Firearms Museum has a large collection of American firearms.

Cody is the birthplace of the famous abstract artist Jackson Pollock.

Education

Public education in the city of Cody is provided by Park County School District #6. Three elementary schools – Eastside, Glenn Livingston, and Sunset - serve students in grades kindergarten through five. The district's two secondary campuses are Cody Middle School (grades 6-8) and Cody High School (grades 9-12).

Industry

The primary industry in Cody is tourism. Hotels, restaurants and shops cater to travelers coming to visit the West and Yellowstone Park. Cody has several art galleries, with some notable local painters and artists living in the area.

Another industry is western style furniture, with several small furniture makers producing custom pieces.

The oil industry seems to wax and wane over the years in the Cody area.

Just to the south of Cody are large deposits of gypsum.

Park County School District #6 is another large employer in the area.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,520 people, 4,278 households, and 2,502 families residing in the city. The population density was 933.3 inhabitants per square mile (360.3/km²). There were 4,650 housing units at an average density of 455.9 per square mile (176.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 4,278 households of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.5% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 42.4 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,835 people, 3,791 households, and 2,403 families residing in the city. The population density was 952.3 people per square mile (367.6/km²). There were 4,113 housing units at an average density of 443.3 per square mile (171.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.90% White, 0.10% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22% of the population.

There were 3,791 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,450, and the median income for a family was $40,554. Males had a median income of $31,395 versus $19,947 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,813. About 9.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Cody is governed via a city council and mayor. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of six members who are elected from one of three wards. Each ward elects two members.

Media

Twice-weekly Cody Enterprise. Founded by "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Col. John Peake in August 1899. The paper has a paid circulation of 7,050, and is owned by Sage Publishing of Cody.

Highways

Airport

The Yellowstone Regional Airport offers full passenger service. Flights are available through SkyWest (Delta Air Lines), connecting through Salt Lake City, Utah, and SkyWest (United Airlines), connecting through Denver, Colorado. Air cargo services are provided by FedEx and UPS.

Ground transit

Cody has three bus transit companies: Cody Over Land Transit, Phidippides Shuttle Service, and LP Transportation. Cody Over Land operates routes within the city of Cody, from June through September. Phidippides is a full service transportation company with service to Cody, Yellowstone National Park, and airports in Cody, Jackson, and Billings. They also have courier and package service available. LP Transportation operates from the Palmer Outpost providing shuttle service to Lovell, and connecting to Black Hills/Arrow Stage (Billings to Denver).

Notable people

Sister cities