New Census Figures Show Casper Shrinking

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau figures show that Wyoming cities and towns located in the energy patch saw the greatest declines in population last year, with Casper losing nearly 1,000 residents and Gillette nearly 230.

Cheyenne, the state's largest city, gained 615 residents, pushing its population just above 64,000.

State economist Wenlin Liu says it's likely that some of the people who lost mining related jobs in other areas of the state moved to Cheyenne in 2016.

Statewide, Wyoming's population fell by 1,054 residents in 2016, the first year more people moved out of the state than moved in since 1990.

The key oil, gas and coal industries that support the state's labor force and economy have been in decline in recent years.