8 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Wyoming

Wyoming is a beautiful state, home to the iconic Teton Range and Yellowstone National Park's geothermal marvels. It is a wonderful place to move to and settle, no matter where you are relocating from. The people in Wyoming are friendly, there are vast, wide-open spaces to enjoy everywhere you look, and best of all, Wyoming is extremely safe. The state ranks among the top 10 safest states in the nation due to low crime rates, according to a US News and World Report.

For those looking for a place to live that offers so much natural beauty and where you can feel safe and right at home, read on to learn more about eight safe communities in Wyoming.

Jackson

Jackson, Wyoming, is one of the state's most happening cities. People come from all over the nation and the world to ski at local ski mountains like Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain, and Grand Targhee Resort, so all its visitors give tiny Jackson a cosmopolitan flair. Add to that the fact that this town of around 10,000 residents is not far from Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, as well as the presence of numerous upscale shops, top-notch restaurants, and an active community for people of all ages, and Jackson quickly becomes an attractive option for relocation for most. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, from 2021 to 2026, reports of homicide in Jackson were well below the national and state average.

Laramie

Laramie is the fourth-largest town in Wyoming, but with just 32,000 residents, most Americans would still consider it a small town. It certainly has a small-town feel, and the people who live there love living there. Laramie is in the southeastern portion of the state, which means it offers easy access to Colorado to the south, and also to the Wyoming state capital of Cheyenne, which is under an hour away.

Laramie is a great option for anyone who wants to live in a small town in Wyoming, but who does not want to be super isolated. Visitors and residents of Laramie enjoy museums such as the Laramie Plains Museum and the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site; outdoor enthusiasts love easy access to Vedauwoo Recreation Area and Medicine Bow National Forest. Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming and Laramie County Community College, so there are a lot of activities for young people, too. For its size, Laramie is a very safe place to live. Between 2021 and 2026, reports of aggravated assault and homicide in Laramie stayed mostly below the national and state average.

Cody

Another beautiful and safe place to consider living in Wyoming is Cody, in the northwestern part of the state. Cody has a population of around 10,000 residents, which means it is small but not too small, and it offers everything its citizens need to enjoy a happy, fulfilled life. Reported robberies between 2021 and 2026 were mostly below the state and national average.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a complex that includes five museums, including the Cody Firearms Museum and the Whitney Western Art Museum, as well as Old Trail Town, a fantastic outdoor historical attraction. Everyone loves strolling the Downtown Cody Historic District and immersing themselves in the rich history of this region. Plus, Cody is not far from the eastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which offers endless fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

Wheatland

With a population of just under 3,500, Wheatland is one of the smaller towns in the state. This farming community is about halfway between Cheyenne and Casper, although slightly closer to Cheyenne. Its location on the prairie makes it easy to visit either of the larger cities while still allowing residents to enjoy truly small-town Wyoming life. In town, the Laramie Peak Museum tells visitors about the local area's history; Lewis Park offers a public pool, playgrounds, basketball courts, trails, and miniature golf; and Wheatland Golf Club provides a place to play 18 holes.

Thermopolis

Like Wheatland, Thermopolis is one of the smaller towns on this list, but at the same time, it is not too small! There is a little bit of everything in Thermopolis despite its population of only 2,800 residents. This town is almost in the very middle of the state. It is named for the many hot springs in the area and is home to Wyoming's very own Hot Springs State Park, where visitors can soak in the springs for free and watch wild bison.

Further attractions in the area include the Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center, the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site, and the large Wyoming Dinosaur Center. Thermopolis is a wonderful place to settle; it is busy with tourists during the summer months, but even then, it is a quiet, small town that everyone seems to love. And it is no wonder, since it is very safe. Reports of homicide in Thermopolis (between 2021 to 2026) were well below the national and state average.

Basin

Basin, Wyoming, is in the north-central part of the state of Wyoming and has a population of just 1,200 residents. It is known for its pleasant, suburban feel, great schools, and friendly folks. It is also considered one of the most beautiful small towns in the state, thanks to its farmland, streets lined with tall trees, and lilac hedges throughout town. It is a wonderful place to live. Residents and visitors enjoy the nearby Crazy Woman Trading Post for shopping and the Big Horn Basin GeoScience Center (in Greybull) for learning about the area's natural history.

Buffalo

The small town of Buffalo, Wyoming, is a place many people pass through because it is at the crossroads of I-25 and I-90, but only around 4,500 people live there. It is a great place to live because it is centrally located to an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and it also has an active downtown full of restaurants and heritage sites. Visitors enjoy exploring places like the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, the Historic Occidental Hotel, Lake DeSmet, and Dry Creek Petrified Forest. Anyone who chooses to settle in Buffalo is sure to feel quite safe; despite being a crossroads of two major interstates, reported homicide rates were well below the national and state averages between 2021 and 2026.

Douglas

Douglas, Wyoming, is the county seat of Converse County and has a population of nearly 7,000 residents. It is about 40 miles east of Casper on I-25 and is surrounded by natural beauty; the Thunder Basin National Grassland is truly a sight to see. It offers a suburban lifestyle, excellent schools, a strong horse-focused culture, and a low crime environment. Residents enjoy visiting attractions like Ayres Natural Bridge, Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum at Locomotive Park, Fort Fetterman State Historic Site, the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum, and the preserved Douglas WWII POW Camp. From 2021 to 2026, reported homicide rates were well below the national and state averages.

Each of the eight Wyoming small towns described above has its own personality and character, but all of them are safe, interesting, welcoming, and beautiful, and any of them would be a great place to settle and live. People may overlook Wyoming when considering a new place to call home, but it has so much to offer. Plan a visit soon to check out one or more of these small towns. The local people will welcome you with open arms, and you are sure to feel right at home from the start.