One of the worst race riots in American history, known as the Rock Springs Massacre, occurred among miners working near Rock Springs on September 2, 1885. As of 2006, there are still remains of the old coal mining towns outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Rock Springs is also home to Western Wyoming Community College, and Wyoming's Big Show a yearly event featuring a carnival and concerts, held at the Sweetwater County Events Complex.
Rock Springs is located in an energy-rich region that boasts a large number of oil and natural gas wells.
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,708 people, 7,348 households, and 4,930 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,014.4 people per square mile (391.7/km²). There were 8,359 housing units at an average density of 453.3/sq mi (175.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.75% White, 1.07% African American, 0.86% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.05% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.96% of the population.
There were 7,348 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,584, and the median income for a family was $51,539. Males had a median income of $44,809 versus $22,609 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,396. About 6.4% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Interstate Highways:
I-80
US Routes:
US 30 (Dewar Drive)
US 191
Wyoming State Highways:
WYO 370 (Baxter Road/Airport Road)
WYO 376 (Circumferential Highway/Rock Springs Beltway)
WYO 430 (Hampshire Street Parkway)
Rock Springs is serviced by Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport.
Union Pacific serves Rock Springs