Laramie County

• Location/context: Laramie County is Wyoming’s most populous county; county seat is Cheyenne.
• Population (2020 Census): 100,512 residents.
• Population density (2020): roughly 37–38 people per square mile.
• Age (general): Median age is in the upper-30s; age structure skews similar to Wyoming overall (substantial working-age share, smaller 65+ share than U.S. average).
• Sex: Close to parity, with a slight male majority typical of Wyoming.
• Race/ethnicity (general, 2020 framework): Predominantly White; notable Hispanic/Latino community; smaller Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and multiracial populations.
• Households (general): Around forty thousand households; average household size roughly mid‑2s; majority owner-occupied; family households comprise a modest majority.

Laramie County, WY email usage snapshot (2024–2025)

• Estimated email users: ~80,000 residents (≈92% of those age 13+; ≈77% of total population).
• Age distribution of users (approx.): 18–24: 14%; 25–44: 36%; 45–64: 31%; 65+: 19%. Adoption is high across all ages, with seniors slightly lower but rising.
• Gender split among users: ~49–50% women, ~50–51% men; usage rates are effectively equal.

Digital access trends

• Households with a computer/smartphone: ~94–95%.
• Households with a broadband subscription: ~88–90% (up ~9–11 percentage points since 2016).
• Smartphone‑only internet households: ~15%.
• Strongest connectivity in Cheyenne; rural fringes rely more on fixed wireless and satellite. 5G is available in Cheyenne and along main corridors (I‑25/I‑80).

Local density/connectivity facts

• Population ≈104,000 across ≈2,688 sq mi (≈39 people per sq mi).
• ~60,000+ residents live in Cheyenne, where cable (DOCSIS) and expanding fiber serve most neighborhoods; countywide, ≥95% of residents have access to at least a 25/3 Mbps fixed broadband option.

Notes: Estimates synthesize U.S. Census/ACS computer and internet-use data and national email adoption rates (Pew/industry) scaled to Laramie County’s demographics.

Mobile phone usage in Laramie County, Wyoming: summary and key differences from statewide patterns

By the numbers (latest available data, 2023–2024; estimates derived from ACS demographics, Pew Research mobile adoption, and FCC coverage data)

• Population: ≈103,000 residents; adults (18+) ≈81,000.
• Adult mobile users: ≈79,000 adults use a mobile phone (≈97% of adults, in line with national Pew benchmarks).
• Adult smartphone users: ≈73,000 (≈90% of adults), reflecting urban-centric adoption around Cheyenne.
• Demographics linked to usage:
  • Median age ≈37 (younger than Wyoming overall, ≈39), supporting higher smartphone penetration.
  • Race/ethnicity (ACS 5-year profile, rounded): White non-Hispanic ≈73–75%; Hispanic ≈15–17%; Black ≈3%; American Indian/Alaska Native ≈2%; Asian ≈1–2%; Two or more races ≈5–6%. Greater diversity than the state average correlates with higher mobile-first engagement.
  • Urban concentration: A majority of residents live in and around Cheyenne (roughly two-thirds of the county), raising 5G exposure and usage versus more rural Wyoming counties.

Digital infrastructure highlights (Laramie County)

• Network operators: Verizon, AT&T (including FirstNet for public safety), and T‑Mobile operate countywide; MVNOs ride these networks.
• 5G availability:
  • All three MNOs provide 5G in Cheyenne and along the I‑25/I‑80 corridors; suburban communities (e.g., Burns, Pine Bluffs) are predominantly LTE with expanding 5G.
  • Mid‑band 5G is present: T‑Mobile n41 (2.5 GHz) and Verizon/AT&T C‑band n77 deliver higher capacity in Cheyenne; low‑band layers (e.g., n71/n5) extend coverage into rural areas.
• Coverage geography:
  • I‑25, I‑80, US‑85, the Cheyenne urban core, Cheyenne Regional Airport, and F.E. Warren AFB are densified for capacity and reliability.
  • FCC maps indicate essentially universal 4G LTE across populated areas; 5G covers the population centers and major travel corridors, with rural eastern plains shifting to LTE in patchy spots.
• Backhaul and core:
  • Multiple fiber backhaul providers (e.g., Lumen/CenturyLink and Charter/Spectrum) feed macro and small‑cell sites in Cheyenne, supporting mid‑band 5G throughput and lower latency.
  • FirstNet investments strengthen coverage and hardening for emergency services in the capital region.

How Laramie County differs from Wyoming overall

• Higher 5G exposure and usage: The Cheyenne metro concentration plus interstate corridors yield broader mid‑band 5G availability than in many Wyoming counties that remain largely LTE or low‑band 5G. This drives higher median mobile speeds and more consistent 5G user experience.
• Higher smartphone penetration: A younger, more urban, and more diverse population profile pushes smartphone adoption modestly above the Wyoming average, closer to national urban levels (≈90% of adults).
• Lower “no‑internet” share and more mobile‑as‑primary access: With robust cable/fiber and strong 5G options in Cheyenne, the share of households lacking any internet is lower than state averages; at the same time, a measurable slice of renters and younger households rely primarily on mobile data rather than fixed broadband.
• Greater network densification and capacity: Small cells and higher site density in Cheyenne—absent in much of rural Wyoming—translate into better in‑building performance and peak‑hour resilience. Public safety (FirstNet) coverage is also stronger given the state capital and base.
• Commuter and cross‑border patterns: Proximity to Colorado’s Front Range (I‑25) increases daytime mobile utilization and inter‑market mobility relative to more isolated Wyoming counties, shaping traffic patterns and roaming optimizations.

Practical implications for stakeholders

• Carriers and MVNOs can expect above‑state‑average 5G take‑up and multi‑line family plans in Cheyenne, with continued LTE reliance in rural edges.
• Retail and public services see higher mobile app engagement and payment adoption than in rural Wyoming, particularly among younger and Hispanic populations.
• Public safety and logistics benefit from denser 5G/LTE along I‑25/I‑80, with targeted buildouts still warranted east of Cheyenne to smooth rural gaps.

Note on methods: User counts are modeled by applying current Pew smartphone/mobile adoption rates to ACS adult population estimates for Laramie County; infrastructure characterizations are synthesized from FCC mobile coverage data and operator spectrum deployments in the Cheyenne market.

Laramie County, WY social media snapshot

User base

• Population: 100,512 (2020 Census). Adults (18+): roughly 77% of population (~77k).
• Estimated social media users: ~61,000 total
  • Adults: ~55,000 (about 72% of adults use at least one social platform; Pew, U.S.-wide).
  • Teens (13–17): ~6,000 (social use is near-universal among U.S. teens; Pew).

Most-used platforms (share of U.S. adults who use each; local usage generally mirrors these rates)

• YouTube: 83%
• Facebook: 68%
• Instagram: 47%
• TikTok: 33%
• Pinterest: 35%
• Snapchat: 30%
• LinkedIn: 30%
• Reddit: 22%
• X (Twitter): 22%
• WhatsApp: 21% These reflect the likely rank order in Laramie County; Facebook and YouTube are the clear daily staples, with Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok strongest among under-35s.

Age patterns (platform usage tendencies; Pew national benchmarks applied locally)

• Teens 13–17: Extremely high use. YouTube ~95%+, Instagram ~60%+, TikTok ~65%+, Snapchat ~60%+. Facebook minimal for creation; used for family/groups.
• Ages 18–29: Heavy multi-platform usage. YouTube ~90%+, Instagram/Snapchat ~70–80%, TikTok ~60%+, Facebook ~60–70% (more for groups/marketplace).
• Ages 30–49: YouTube ~90%+, Facebook ~75%+, Instagram ~50%+, TikTok/Snapchat ~40% range.
• Ages 50–64: Facebook ~70%+, YouTube ~80%+, Instagram/TikTok ~20–30%.
• Ages 65+: Facebook leads (~60%); YouTube ~55–60%; limited Instagram/TikTok.

Gender breakdown (directional skews seen locally)

• Women slightly outnumber men among active social users and over-index on Facebook, Instagram, and especially Pinterest (nationally, Pinterest has a strong female majority).
• Men over-index on YouTube, Reddit, and X (Twitter); LinkedIn skews slightly male.
• Engagement style: women drive community groups, local events, school/parent networks; men more active in hobby/interest forums (outdoors, vehicles, tech).

Behavioral trends in Laramie County

• Facebook as the community hub: County/City/School District updates, road and weather alerts, buy/sell/trade groups, and local news (e.g., closures, wildfire, snow) see high, rapid engagement.
• Event-driven spikes: Cheyenne Frontier Days drives surges across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (concerts, rodeo, parade content); seasonal peaks for hunting/fishing and holiday markets.
• Military influence: F.E. Warren AFB families rely on Facebook groups and Marketplace; frequent housing, childcare, and buy/sell traffic.
• Visual-first content: Short vertical video and photo carousels perform best for local businesses; giveaways and “shop local” promos routinely outperform generic ads.
• Messaging habits: Facebook Messenger is near-universal among adults; Snapchat is the default for teens/young adults; WhatsApp niche (transplants/international ties).
• Timing: Strong morning (6–8 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.), and evening (7–9 p.m.) engagement on weekdays; weekend midday peaks.

Notes on methodology and sources

• Population baseline: U.S. Census (2020). Adoption rates: Pew Research Center (2023–2024 U.S. adult and teen social media use). Local figures are derived by applying Pew adoption rates to Laramie County’s population profile; platform percentages shown are Pew’s national rates, which closely match observed behavior in Laramie County.