LGBTQ+ Facts
Unfortunately, in Casper, Wyoming, there is not much of an LGBTQ+ scene. There is no designated LGBTQ+ center or “gayborhood,” so locals and visitors cannot find businesses, any gar bars, or households located in one area.
However, Casper is one of the only cities in Wyoming that has a PFLAG chapter. In addition, there is an annual Pride in the Park celebration every summer.
In 2003, the Casper City Council unanimously elected an openly gay representative, Guy Padgett, as mayor. Padgett was also the city’s youngest mayor at 27.
Mental Health in Casper, Wyoming
During the pandemic, many people across the nation have experienced poor mental health. Over 30% of adults in the country have reported anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms, increasing by 11% of adults before the pandemic.
Adverse mental health outcomes aren’t exclusive to adults – they have impacted children and adolescents. For example, over 20% of school-aged children have had poorer mental or emotional health since the start of the pandemic. This increase in mental health disorders and challenges couldn’t come at a worse time when mental health resources are already limited and with barriers to accessing care.
For adolescents between ages 15 and 19, the suicide rate increased from 22.2 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2016 to 31.1. In 2019, age-adjusted suicide rates ranged from 29.6 per 100,000 people in Wyoming.
If you know a child or youth suffering from severe mental health issues in the Casper area, there are psychologists for kids that can help. Be sure to scroll through our extensive list at LGBTQ and ALL to find the best treatment option for your situation.
Top Features for Casper, Wyoming
Casper is a city found in central Wyoming. One of its most popular attractions is the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. This site displays dioramas and interactive displays that represent the lives of 1800s pioneers. In addition, many people enjoy seeing contemporary art shows at the Nicolaysen Art Museum.
Fort Caspar is another famous destination, with a reconstructed 1865 military post. It also is home to a museum with local-history displays, like a 1901 sheep wagon. Casper Mountain is a fun recreational spot for nature lovers where you can see a waterfall or hit up the ski slopes.
Some of the other most popular attractions in this city are:
- Tate Geological Museum.
- Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site
- Garden Creek Falls
- Platte River Trails
- Werner Wildlife Museum
- Casper Planetarium
- Casper Events Center
Facts
Casper is the second biggest city in Wyoming.
Its nickname is “The Oil City,” due to it having significant oilfields.
Casper has a popular minor league baseball team, the Casper Ghosts, affiliated with the Colorado Rockies MLB team.
History/Data
Before any white person set foot on the territory now known as Casper, it was settled by the following Native American bands: Sioux, Cherokee, or Iroquois.
The town’s more recent history traces back to 1888 when the tracks of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad arrived. It was named after Fort Casper, which used to be in the area but was then in ruins. The fort had previously been named after Lt. Caspar Collins, killed near the fort in 1865.
In 2021, the population of Casper, Wyoming, was recorded at 81,224 residents.