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Why Gillette, WY Is a Great Place to Live

Vibrant economy, good schools, and amazing wildlife are among the many reasons.

By Kevin Litwin on November 21, 2016

Caribbean Cove Waterpark
Gillette / Brian McCord

Ah, Gillette, WY, an outdoor adventurer’s dream with fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, rock climbing, snowmobiling and wildlife watching opportunities, with the Big Horn Mountains in the west and the Black Hills to the east. Here are some reasons why Gillette is a great place to live.

Large and In Charge

The economy is strong in Gillette, and its $75,000 average household income is the highest in Wyoming. This community of 32,000 residents has almost doubled its size over the last decade, and housing prices are reasonable at an average of $220,000.

Innovation Drives Resilience for Gillette’s Economy

Gillette remains the “Energy Capital of the Nation” for its large quantities of coal, oil and methane gas, and recent expansions have occurred at companies like Devon Energy, Liebherr Mining Equipment and Yates Petroleum. A good transportation system also contributes to Gillette’s economic success, with the city served by railroads, Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Interstate 90 and two U.S. highways.

Great for Entrepreneurs

Gillette College offers more than 30 certificate and degree programs, and the college puts together entrepreneurship programs to assist innovative students. In addition, the college features a Technical Education Center along with a Workforce and Community Education Department that partners with businesses to customize training and continuing education programs for their employees.

In late 2016, Gillette College also opened a $19 million, 52,000-square-foot Pronghorn Center complete with a Health Sciences Simulation Laboratory, classrooms, fitness center, gymnasium and gathering spaces for students.

Serves You Right

Hungry? If not right now, you will be soon, and there are many good independent restaurant and café choices in Gillette. Light fare is available at places like Breanna’s Bakery, Coffee Friends, Lula Belle Coffee Shop and Main Bagel, while luncheon choices include Barbecue Jo-Bawb’s, Big Lost Meadery, Candy’s Taqueria, Pizza Carello and Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse. For dinner, savory choices include Fiesta Tequila Mexican Restaurant, I Siciliani, Jordan’s Western Dining, Prime Rib Restaurant & Wine Cellar, Sapporo Japanese Restaurant, The Chophouse Restaurant and The Coop.

The Best Places to Eat & Drink in Gillette, WY

Move It, Move It

Recreation plays a big role in the quality of life in Gillette, led by the CAM-PLEX event center that includes seven separate indoor buildings, a rodeo grounds, an NHL-sized ice rink and motocross track. Meanwhile, Campbell County Recreation Center is a 190,000-square-foot facility with amenities like five indoor tennis courts, a climbing wall and a 200-meter running track, and Gillette’s Energy Capital Sports Complex is a favorite destination for the region’s softball players. Also in the city are Bell Knob Golf Course and a free outdoor pool.

Healthy Healthcare

Gillette houses Campbell County Memorial Hospital that has 90 beds to treat patients in more than 20 specialties, and CCMH delivers about 800 babies every year. There are also 18 medical clinics throughout Gillette-Campbell County along with a Powder River Surgery Center and a new $39 million The Legacy Living & Rehabilitation Center.

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