By Georgia Lodewyk
The Sheridan Press
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

SHERIDAN — Wyoming’s population is aging more rapidly than any other state.

According to June data from Wyoming Administration and Information (Wyoming A&I), Wyoming’s elderly population of 65 and older grew 3.2% from 2023 to 2024, while the state’s total population only grew 0.4%. 

In Sheridan County, the elderly population makes up 23.9% of the total population, compared to the U.S. average of 18%. 

For Sheridan organizations, the response to the growth celebrates Sheridan’s status as a retirement destination, but Wyoming A&I Administrator Wenlin Liu expressed concern over a potential workforce shortage, preventing Wyoming counties from meeting the needs of elderly populations.

“It leads to a reduced workforce, creating labor shortages in various economic sectors,” Liu said.

According to the A&I report, Wyoming has one of the highest proportions of the Baby Boom population — ages 60-78 in 2024 — and one of the lowest proportions of Generation X — ages 44 to 59. Liu said Wyoming’s current unemployment rate of 3.3% could mean the state does not have enough Generation X employees to fill the positions vacated by the retirement of this older generation. Sheridan County’s unemployment rate sits at 3.2% as of May 2025.

“Another concern for the state government and local communities is the increasing demand for and requirement of more health care services, which may strain the state and local health care system and budget,” Liu said. “More accessible transportation and more senior-friendly housing options also need to be considered.”

Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce CEO Teresa Detimore said these questions are often at the forefront of senior citizens’ minds. Detimore said people looking to retire in Sheridan ask the Chamber about Sheridan County’s health care system, public transit and public engagement opportunities.

Several organizations in Sheridan have also seen the prominence of Sheridan’s elderly community. Sheridan County YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday said senior citizens are one of the recreation facility’s largest service groups.

“We do on a regular basis get to know new members who have moved to Sheridan to retire,” Cassiday said. “And that’s such a fun, wonderful compliment to our community.”

As a state, Wyoming is known for its lack of state income taxes and low property taxes, making it an attractive retirement living option for older individuals. Resources like the Sheridan County YMCA and The Hub on Smith, Sheridan’s senior citizen center, also provide additional opportunities for retired residents.

“We serve over 3,400 adults in Sheridan County each year through our programs,” said Ryan Koltiska, the Hub’s director of development.

These 3,400 adults use The Hub’s home meal-delivery service, support center, adult day care, daily activity programming and help at home program. Koltiska said all these services continue to grow, pointing toward Wyoming’s aging population. This year, The Hub has seen a 5% increase in dining room and home-delivered meals, and a 20% increase in its home help program. The Hub also runs Goose Creek Transit, Sheridan’s only public transportation service.

Liu’s other concern for the future of Wyoming’s population is the state’s fertility rate. Not only are Baby Boomers aging into retirement, but Wyoming’s fertility rate has seen a continued downward trend since 2016, according to a past Wyoming A&I population report from Dec. 2024.

In 2024, the state saw 6,037 births and 5,634 deaths, resulting in a natural population change of only 403. It’s a very different trend from 40 years ago — in the 1980s, about 10,000 babies were born in Wyoming each year. Liu said these current conditions make it harder for Wyoming to reverse the aging trend, but it’s not impossible.

“For the U.S., it’s immigration from other countries. For an individual state, it’s the ability to attract younger people from other states,” Liu said. “As a result, the labor force competition between different states or regions is becoming intense and maybe more so in the future for economic development.”