Cheyenne is Wyoming's vibrant capital and most populous city, home to 65,000+ residents, hosting the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo and blending authentic Old West heritage with modern development.
65,000+
(2023 estimate)101,783
(2024 MSA)1869
Since 1897
Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital and most populous city with approximately 65,000 residents and a metro area of 101,783. Designated the capital in 1869, Cheyenne has remained the only capital throughout Wyoming's history, from territorial period through statehood to the present. The city serves as the county seat of Laramie County and was founded by pioneering settlers following the transcontinental railroad. Cheyenne's identity captures "Live the Legend," blending authentic Old West heritage and cowboy ranching tradition with vibrant modern development. The city's economy is anchored by government services, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (contributing $451.4 million annually), transportation and warehousing, and tourism. With a median household income of $77,176 and a cost of living 1% below the national average, Cheyenne offers affordable urban amenities combined with Western character.
The Wyoming State Capitol building stands as a distinctive architectural landmark designed by the firm David W. Gibbs & Company in Renaissance Revival style, reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Capitol was constructed between 1886-1890, with ground broken on September 9, 1886, and the cornerstone laid on May 18, 1887. The building features sandstone from Rawlins, Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colorado, with a copper dome gilded in 1900 to provide the distinctive golden appearance visible across downtown. The Capitol was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1987. Following an extensive three-year restoration project, the building reopened to the public on July 10, 2019, fully restored to its original architectural grandeur while maintaining modern safety and accessibility features. The Capitol serves as the seat of Wyoming state government and remains a symbol of the state's governmental heritage.
Cheyenne Frontier Days stands as one of America's premier celebrations of Western heritage, held annually since 1897 (129 years). Originally created as a single-day cowboy roundup to jumpstart the local economy after harsh winters, the event has evolved into the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration, attracting nearly 200,000 annual visitors during the 10-day July festival (held mid-to-late July, typically around July 18-27). The celebration features PRCA rodeo and slack events with top professional cowboys competing for over $1 million in cash and prizes, Professional Bull Riders competitions, daily 1:00 p.m. rodeo performances at the Frontier Days Arena, USAF Thunderbirds aerial demonstrations (since 1953), parades, free pancake breakfasts (serving 39,000+ in one day), Western Art Show and sales, Indian Village performances and shops, carnival midway (10:30 a.m.–midnight daily), concerts, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. In 2008, the event was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. The celebration perfectly encapsulates Cheyenne's "Live the Legend" philosophy, honoring Wyoming's cowboy and ranching legacy while providing world-class entertainment and cultural celebration.
Cheyenne offers world-class museums and cultural attractions. The Wyoming State Museum, established in 1895, is a state-run educational institution collecting and preserving artifacts reflecting human and natural history of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West. Admission is free, with exhibits ranging from National Park Service history to Wyoming topography to local artist spotlights. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, housed in the historic Union Pacific Depot (a National Historic Landmark), features extensive exhibits on the Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific history, steam locomotives, and Cheyenne's development as a railroad town. The signature attraction is the Big Boy locomotive, the world's largest steam locomotive class, which completed a five-year renovation and is now operational—one of only eight surviving and the only currently operating Big Boy. Visitors can tour the Union Pacific Steam Shop & Roundhouse. Additional attractions include Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cowgirls of the West Museum, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (featuring award-winning displays from around the world in the Grand Conservatory, free admission, open year-round), the Paul Smith Children's Village, community vegetable gardens, and greenhouses. Curt Gowdy State Park, located 24 miles from Cheyenne, offers 3,395 acres with 35+ miles of well-marked scenic trails rated "Epic" by mountain biking enthusiasts, three reservoirs (Granite, Crystal, North Crow) for fishing and water sports, and 169 camping sites (90 reservation, 69 first-come).
Downtown Cheyenne has transformed from a "steak-and-potatoes town" to a culinary destination with trendy New American dining housed in restored historic buildings. Fine dining options include The Metropolitan Downtown (Art Moderne venue with restaurant and liquor store), Paris West (locally owned restaurant and bar), and Wyoming's Rib and Chop House (downtown steakhouse with beef, bison, fresh seafood, 30+ craft beers). Classic historic spots include the Little Bear Inn (originally a 1800s saloon featuring aged steaks cut in-house and "World-famous fancy fried lobster") and The Albany (family-owned since 1942 with American classics). Casual dining includes Sanford's Grub & Pub. Craft breweries dominate the scene: Freedom's Edge Brewing Co. (Cheyenne's first craft brewery with events like Pottery & Pints and live Celtic music), Danielmark's Brewing Company (in a restored 1886 Victorian home with tree-shaded patio), and Accomplice Beer Company (in the historic Cheyenne Depot with self-pour taps). Downtown shops feature superior locally-owned merchants offering exceptional service compared to big-box retailers, with unique finds throughout the historic district that reflects Old West heritage blended with modern amenities.
Cheyenne's economy is distinctly shaped by government (federal, state, local) and Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, the largest single employer in the region. F.E. Warren AFB generated $451.4 million in economic impact in fiscal year 2023, comprising $287.3 million in payroll for 3,948 assigned military personnel, $91.4 million in construction and purchases, and $72.6 million in indirect economic impact from 7,041 base-supporting residents. The 90th Missile Wing employs 3,361 military and 964 civilian personnel, operating the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM system. Cheyenne has four times the federal government jobs of Casper (2,800 vs. 700), with major employment in transportation and warehousing (1,702 jobs) due to I-25 and I-80 intersection location and significant railroad traffic. Other sectors include retail, healthcare, professional services, insurance, and emerging data centers and renewable energy industries. The median household income is $77,176, with employment distributed across office/administrative support (11.8%), sales (8.2%), food service (8.2%), and professional/technical sectors.
Cheyenne's education system serves 13,566 K-12 public students across 41 public schools plus 5 private schools (455 students), with 97% attending public schools. Top-ranked schools include Poder Academy, Poder Academy Secondary School, and Pioneer Park Elementary. Laramie County School District #1 administers the system. Higher education is served by Laramie County Community College (nearly 5,000 students, awarding 844 degrees/certificates in 2023-2024) and the University of Wyoming-Laramie (45 miles west, now holding Research Level 1 status from Carnegie Classification with 200+ areas of study). Wyoming ranks top-10 nationally in K-12 per-student spending ($18,500 annually) and offers the Hathaway Scholarship program (created 2005) for Wyoming high school graduates attending University of Wyoming or community colleges. Climate features mid-latitude steppe weather with July highs reaching 82.4°F, December lows at 20.3°F, highest rainfall in May (2.95"), humidity 43-64%. Cost of living is 1% below national average, with rent averaging $1,193, home prices around $530,907, housing 1% below national rate, utilities 11% below, and healthcare 2% above average. Demographics are 75% White (Non-Hispanic), 6.27% White (Hispanic), 3.08% Two Races (Non-Hispanic), 2.82% Black, with median age 38.9 years.
Last updated on November 24, 2025