A census-designated place is a concentration of people who live in an area outside the boundaries of a town. It's a population created by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. Just because census-designated places haven't earned the title of a town doesn't mean that they are any less important to the state. Here are 14 essential Wyoming communities that never made it as towns.
1. Alcova
Alcova is located in central Wyoming in Natrona County with a population of around 76. Alcova Lake is a popular vacation spot in the state.
2. Arapahoe
Arapahoe is located in Fremont County in west central Wyoming and has a population of around 1,656. A Catholic mission was founded in 1884 and the St. Stephen's Mission Church on the Wind River Reservation is located here.
3. Arlington
Arlington is located in southern Wyoming northwest of Laramie and east of Rawlins. Arlington served as a commercial stop along the Overland Trail. The town started with a bridge, stage stop and post office and now has a population of around 25.
4. Atlantic City
Atlantic City is a small mining settlement near South Pass in southwestern Wyoming. It was founded as a mining camp and was the location of the US Steel iron ore mine. The town has a population of around 37 with the preserved Atlantic City Mercantile store and restaurant along the main road. The town is accessible via gravel roads from Wyoming Highway 28.
5. Carpenter
Carpenter is located in southeastern Wyoming east of Cheyenne. With a population of around 94, the town has an elementary school and a post office. Carpenter was named after a land owner and District Judge and was a rail stop along the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
6. Centennial
Centennial is located in Albany County in southeastern Wyoming. The town has been home to a work camp for the First Transcontinental Railroad, the Centennial Gold Mining, a sawmill, planing mill, lumber yard, newspaper office, and bank. The town has a population of around 270.
7. Cora
Cora is located in Sublette County in western Wyoming. The population ranges around 142 with most people ranging in the age from 45 to 64.
8. Esterbrook
Esterbrook is located in Converse County in southeastern Wyoming. The town was founded as a mining town, has a population of around 52 and is home to a beautiful little church, Esterbrook Community Church, that was built with a window behind the altar that frames Laramie Peak.
9. Huntley
Huntley is located in Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming. Due to a farming fund established, residents from New York, Pennsylvania and Europe moved to the area. Pictured is the post office in Huntley.
10. Powder River
Powder River is located in Natrona County in central eastern Wyoming. The community, named after Powder River, has a population of around 44. Pictured is the post office which has been in operation since 1904.
11. Shell
Shell is located at the base of the Big Horn Mountains and mouth of Shell Canyon in north central Wyoming. The community is named for the abundance of fossil shells such as dinosaurs and other animals. The population is around 83.
12. South Greeley
South Greeley is located in Laramie County in southeastern Wyoming. It's part of the Cheyenne, Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a population of around 4,217. Pictured is the intersection of South Greeley Highway and College Drive.
13. Teton Village
One of the larger census-designated places in Wyoming is Teton Village. Teton Village is located in northwestern Wyoming with a population of around 330. The village surrounds the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Pictured is the clock tower and tram station in Teton Village.
14. Veteran
Veteran is located in Goshen County in southeastern Wyoming and has a population of around 23. Long ago, you had to be a World War I Veteran in order to claim a homestead here. The town was home to a Civilian Conservation Corps and a POW work camp. Pictured is Mckinley's Market and post office.
Can you think of any other census-designed places in Wyoming?
For small towns in Wyoming, check out Here Are The Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In Wyoming.
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