Cody | USA Wyoming

Cody is an incorporated city and the seat of Park County, located 84 km from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Defined by its founder, Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, it is known as the "Rodeo Capital of the World" and serves as a premier international destination for Western history, mountain recreation, and Yellowstone tourism.

Historical Timeline

Inhabited by the Shoshone and Crow peoples. Founded in 1896 by "Buffalo Bill" Cody and a group of investors who envisioned a gateway city to Yellowstone powered by massive irrigation projects. A critical historical event occurred in 1910 with the completion of the Buffalo Bill Dam, then the tallest dam in the world, which transformed the arid Bighorn Basin into productive farmland. In 1919, the Cody Stampede was established to honor Buffalo Bill’s legacy, cementing the city's identity as a rodeo hub. In 2026, the city remains a critical node for the "New West" economy, balancing high-volume tourism with a growing community of remote professionals and retirees.

Demographics & Population

The 2026 population is approximately 10,400. The demographics are White (91.6%), Two or more races (6.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.7%). The economy is driven by Tourism, Healthcare, Retail, and Government Services. The median household income is approximately $68,700.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Cody is organized around a broad, historic Main Street (Sheridan Avenue) and the Shoshone River canyon.

Downtown / Sheridan Avenue: The commercial core; features historic hotels, Western outfitters, gun shops, and fine dining.

The Hill / West End: The gateway to Yellowstone; home to major museums and the rodeo grounds.

The Plateau: A residential and commercial expansion area to the south and east.

Shoshone River Canyon: The western edge where the city meets the mountains and the Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Top City Landmarks

Buffalo Bill Center of the West: A world-class Smithsonian affiliate featuring five museums under one roof: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and Whitney Western Art Museum.

Old Trail Town: A collection of 26 authentic frontier buildings (1879–1901), including Butch Cassidy’s "Hole in the Wall" cabin and the grave of Jeremiah "Liver Eatin'" Johnston.

Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel: Built by Buffalo Bill in 1902 and named after his daughter; features a famous cherrywood bar gifted by Queen Victoria.

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center: A massive concrete arch dam providing panoramic views of the Shoshone Canyon.

Cody Stampede Park: Home to the Cody Nite Rodeo, the only place in the world with nightly rodeo performances from June through August.

Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center: (Located 22 km northeast); a National Historic Site at the location of a former Japanese American confinement camp.

Transportation Network

Movement is automotive-centric. Cody is the junction of US-14, US-16, and US-20 (the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway). Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) provides commercial flights to Denver and Salt Lake City. Public transit is limited to the Cody Nite Rodeo Bus and local taxi/shuttle services. There is no passenger rail service.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is very high. Total crime is significantly lower than the national average. Standard awareness is advised near Shoshone River access points during high-water spring runoff. Environmental hazards include grizzly bear encounters (particularly in the Shoshone National Forest), high-altitude conditions (1,523 m), and severe winter winds.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Internet speeds are high, with fiber-optic availability via TCT and Spectrum. Mobile service is robust in town but drops rapidly on the way to Yellowstone. Card acceptance is universal. Wyoming has no state income tax. Park County/Cody levies a 5% total sales tax.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from -10°C to 2°C in winter and 12°C to 29°C in summer. The city enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year and is semi-arid. Frequent winds act as a "natural air filter," keeping air quality pristine but increasing the fire risk in late summer.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping percentage is 20%. A "Hospitality-Frontier" greeting is standard. Dress codes are "Mountain-Western" (cowboy hats and boots are as common as technical hiking gear). The city is culturally defined by Wild West Showmanship, Conservation, and Rodeo Tradition.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.50 (USD)

1 Standard Lunch: $17.00 (USD)

1 Rodeo Ticket (Nite Rodeo): $20.00–$25.00.

Nearby Day Trips

Yellowstone National Park: (84 km west; the world's first national park).

Chief Joseph Scenic Byway: (A 74-km drive north through the Absaroka Mountains).

Meeteetse, WY: (50 km south; a classic 19th-century cowboy town).

Facts & Legends

Cody is the only city in the U.S. that hosts a rodeo every single night of the summer. Historically, Buffalo Bill chose the site because of its proximity to the "most scenic 50 miles in the world" (as dubbed by Teddy Roosevelt). A local legend involves the "Irma Hotel Ghosts," with reports of a spirit in a rocking chair in the hotel's attic. Another legend concerns the "Lost Gold of the Absarokas," a rumored cache of gold coins hidden by outlaws in the rugged mountains west of town during the late 19th century.