Isolation goes with the territory in wind-swept Rawlins
Known for its wind, wild horses and wide-open spaces, the city of Rawlins in rural Wyoming is most appealing to those who value winter sports and the great outdoors. The Sierra Madre Mountains are the backdrop to this city of 8,000 people. Interstate 80 runs through Rawlins, but with heavy snow in the winter, it shuts down frequently, making this remote city even more isolated. “Rawlins is an incredibly hard place to live. It’s basically two hours in every direction to the nearest communities, with roads that close weekly in the winter due to the wind and snow,” says Amanda Moore, owner of Windswept Goods and a resident of Rawlins. “But if you can get past the weather and don't mind living in the middle of nowhere, it is a great community with unlimited activities in the high desert.”
The population of Rawlins is dropping, and homes sell slowly. Those who stay are often employed at the Sinclair Oil Refinery, 8 miles east of Rawlins, or the Wyoming State Penitentiary. There are also jobs at the Union Pacific Railroad, the Bureau of Land Management and Williams Natural Gas Company.
In Rawlins, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, and rugged Wyoming landscapes.
The "Navigation" series by Joshua Wiener adds a creative touch to Rawlins' cityscape.
Snowy landscapes in Rawlins set the scene for a joyful frisbee game with dogs.
The Sinclair Refinery in Rawlins provides vital jobs and supports the local economy.
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Outdoor recreation from Depot Park to the Medicine Bow National Forest
Rawlins has 75 acres of parks and green spaces. Downtown Depot Park features an old train depot and a splash pad for hot summer days when the temperature can reach 100 degrees. Washington Park has a disc golf course, playgrounds and horseshoe pits, and it hosts a weekly summer concert series. Rawlins is a stop on the 3,000-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and hikers come through town frequently when weather permits. Outside of Rawlins, Seminoe State Park along the Platte River is 40 miles away and has a reservoir, campgrounds and hiking trails. It also has ATV trails through the white sand dunes. Elk, moose, mountain lions, foxes and wild horses are popular sights in the high desert lands surrounding the city. Skiing and snowboarding draw visitors to Snowy Range Ski Area, about 100 miles away in the Medicine Bow National Forest. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular.
Just 100 miles from Rawlins, Snowy Range Ski Area offers fresh powder and scenic slopes.
Washington Park in Rawlins offers disc golf, playgrounds, and summer concerts.
Tully Tully Park in Rawlins features a historic train, celebrating the town’s railroad legacy.
Soroptimist Park in Rawlins offers a peaceful green space for relaxation and community events.
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Homes near Front Street closely spaced, spread out in the north
Rawlins is filled with a diversity of housing, from one-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom homes with over 3,000 square feet of living space. These range from the early 20th century to new builds. There are old stone cottages, ranch-style and split-level homes and a few Tudors and Craftsman-styles. Homes are on the market for an average of 100 days, more than twice as long as the national average. The gridded blocks close to Front Street have closely packed homes on lots of around a quarter acre. In the north and northeast sections of town, homes are a little more spread out and expensive. The median price is $185,000, and average values are well below the national average. Prices range from about $90,000 to $400,000, with a few outliers over $500,000.
This historic Queen Anne home in Rawlins boasts elegant woodwork and decorative trim.
This Folk Victorian home in Rawlins features a charming gable roof and cozy front porch.
This Gambrel-style home in Rawlins blends rustic charm with modern practicality.
This Minimal Traditional home in Rawlins showcases simple, functional architecture.
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Downtown Rawlins includes a historic train depot and Carbon Coffee
Rawlins historic downtown has won a National Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America. While some of the storefronts are empty, there are unique shops and local businesses, including Windswept Goods, a gift and clothing store, and Carbon Coffee, which is located in a 1930’s Art Deco building. The district features eateries that serve diverse cuisines, including Latin and Thai. The Wyoming Frontier Prison, built in 1901, serves as a unique attraction with a tour that tells stories of former prisoners, including the first woman convicted of murder in Wyoming. The old prison is reportedly haunted, and the tour includes a look at the gas chambers installed in 1936.
Rawlins’ historic downtown is a proud winner of the National Great American Main Street Award.
Buck’s Sports Grill in Rawlins serves up great food in a lively, western-style setting.
Anong’s Thai Cuisine in Rawlins serves authentic Thai flavors in a cozy setting.
The Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins offers chilling tours of its historic 1901 facility.
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Average ratings for school district, Western Wyoming Community College campus
Carbon County School District No. 1 serves Rawlins and is graded C-plus on Niche. Western Wyoming Community College has a Rawlins campus at the Carbon County Higher Education Center.
Carbon County School District No. 1 serves Rawlins with a C-plus rating on Niche.
Students at Rawlins Elementary School thrive in a supportive and engaging environment.
Rawlins Middle School provides a strong academic foundation for local students.
Rawlins High School is home to the Outlaws, fostering academic and athletic excellence.
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Interstate 80 connects to regional destinations, limited medical services in town
Interstate 80 runs along Rawlins southern border, connecting to Laramie, 100 miles east and Rock Springs, 108 miles west. U.S. Highway 287 runs north toward Lander, which is 125 miles away. Denver, the nearest big metro area, is 230 miles away. Greyhound buses stop in Rawlins with connections to Denver, Salt Lake City and Cheyenne.
Memorial Hospital of Carbon Couty has 25 beds for critical care, with limited services. “You have to plan to travel for most medical needs,” says Moore. “For example, there’s no women’s clinic in Rawlins, so you cannot have a baby here.” Memorial Hospital partners with a hospital in Laramie where women can go for labor and delivery.
Crime rates have dropped, windiest city in Wyoming faces blizzards
According to the FBI, crime rates decreased in Rawlins from 2015 to 2020 (the last year data is available), with violent crime down 40% and property crime down 52%. Rawlins is the windiest city in Wyoming, and snow drifts create hazardous driving conditions.
Written By
Carol Parish
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Rawlins, WY sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Rawlins, WY over the last 12 months is $194,250, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Great Home Close to Schools and Recreation Center! This home has three bedrooms on one level plus one room that is flex space. Flex Space in basement could be used for an additional bedroom, or as a den, whichever you would like. Exterior includes a fenced yard, vinyl siding, composition roof, and a 2-car detached garage. Home has large eat in kitchen and formal dining. Newer Sewer Line.
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Townhouse with 2 large bedrooms with large closets, natural light and off street parking. Tenant pays for electric and water. *owner is a wyoming real estate licensee*
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