Since April 1, 2020, as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions were starting to come to fruition, 1,460 more people had moved into Park County than have moved out by July 1, 2023.

That influx has more than offset the county having 348 more deaths than births during that time.

That’s according to information released last month by the state Economic Analysis Division.

The influx of new residents, 71 international and 1,389 domestic, has also spurred the county government to put together a new land use plan to address the issues of a growing county.

The influx appears to have slowed somewhat, however, with 319 more people moving into the county than out during the last year of the study period, July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023. That amounts to 0.8% growth, double the state average and above the national average of 0.5%. However, that influx is still well below some counties, such as Campbell at 0.9%, Lincoln at 1%, Big Horn at 1.2%, Sheridan at 1.5%, Crook at 2.3% and Sublette at 2.5%.

Hot Springs had an identical growth rate to Park County over that last year period, while Washakie actually lost 0.2%.

At the state level, the net migration was 2,338 between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023.

— By Zac Taylor