Community Overview

Exploring Our Community

A community shaped by open space, mountain views, and a pace of life that supports balance

When you arrive in Cody, you notice the landscape first. The Absaroka Range rises to the west, the Beartooths to the north, and the Shoshone River cuts through town, giving you a sense of place that is immediate and unmistakable. Flying in, you see rugged cliffs, winding valleys, and pockets of ranchland stretching toward Yellowstone. The view sets the tone for a community that values space, independence, and connection to the outdoors.

Cody sits in northwest Wyoming near the eastern gateway of Yellowstone National Park. The region draws visitors from around the world, but the town itself feels grounded and lived-in. Residents know one another. Local businesses anchor the main streets. Schools, parks, and neighborhoods sit within minutes of each other. You can finish your clinic day and be fishing, hiking, or having dinner downtown within minutes.

You will find a strong local identity here. Cody is known for its Western heritage, its museum system, and its reputation as the town founded by Buffalo Bill. That history is not a tourist gimmick. It shapes the architecture, the community’s values, and the personality of the town. People take pride in their roots, support local events, and welcome newcomers who want to take part in community life.

Cody receives attention for its quality of life. National publications highlight its proximity to Yellowstone, its access to year-round recreation, and its stable economy built around healthcare, education, tourism, energy, and small business. Many families choose Cody because it offers a quieter pace than major metros without giving up important amenities.

You will notice the climate quickly. Summers are warm, dry, and sunny with average highs in the 80s. Winters are cold but manageable, especially for those who enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and quiet seasonal landscapes. Cody averages more than 200 sunny days per year, giving you bright skies and plenty of time outside.

For a small town, Cody offers more than you would expect. Restaurants, art galleries, a nationally recognized museum complex, boutique shops, and seasonal events bring steady activity to the community. Yellowstone is less than an hour away through the East Entrance. Billings, the nearest large city, is about 100 miles northwest and offers access to major retailers, additional flights, and expanded dining.

Key features that define life in Cody

Five minutes from the edge of national forest and mountain access
Less than an hour to Yellowstone National Park
Short drive to skiing, rivers, canyons, and hiking trails
Distinct seasons, low humidity, and abundant sunshine
Strong Western identity and local cultural institutions
A community where residents know their physicians personally
Quiet streets and short commute times

People choose Cody because it gives them space to breathe, a landscape that encourages an active lifestyle, and a community that feels steady and welcoming. Physicians describe the transition as refreshing. You can practice at a high level, step out of the hospital, and immediately feel the benefits of small-town living surrounded by some of the most striking scenery in the West.

Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Looking to explore a new destination, but not sure where to start? A travel guide can help you discover the hidden gems and must-see attractions of a new place. Whether you're looking for the best local cuisine, the most scenic views, or the most exciting activities, a good travel guide can provide you with insider knowledge and expert recommendations. With a travel guide in hand, you can make the most of your trip and experience a new place like a local. So why not start planning your next adventure with a travel guide today?

View Guide

History Unveiled: A Journey Through Time

Early Settlement and the Vision of Buffalo Bill

Cody’s story begins in the late 1800s when Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody looked across the wide valley of the Shoshone River and saw potential for a new Western town. He was drawn to the area’s natural beauty, open land, and proximity to Yellowstone. With investors and engineers, he helped establish the town in 1896, shaping its character and identity from the beginning.

Buffalo Bill’s influence remains visible today. The irrigation project he helped develop transformed the arid land into fertile ground for ranching and settlement. His presence attracted entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and families who built the foundations of a community that valued independence, hard work, and connection to the landscape.

Town founded in 1896 through the efforts of Buffalo Bill
Early development centered around ranching, irrigation, and tourism
Legacy of Western heritage still visible in local culture, museums, and architecture

Growth Through Tourism and Western Culture

Cody grew steadily as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Travelers passed through on their way to the Park’s East Entrance, and the town embraced its role as host. Hotels, saloons, and theaters followed, along with a thriving arts and cultural scene that still defines the community today.

The creation of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West marked an important era. What began as a small museum expanded into a nationally recognized cultural complex with five museums under one roof. This institution helped cement Cody’s reputation as a place where history, art, and Western scholarship converge.

Cody became a key stop for travelers heading to Yellowstone
Cultural institutions expanded early and became central to civic identity
Western arts and traditions shaped local events and annual gatherings

Modern Cody and Community Evolution

In recent decades, Cody evolved from a frontier town into a small regional center supported by healthcare, education, tourism, and outdoor recreation. While still proud of its Western roots, the town now blends historic character with modern amenities. New residents arrive for work, lifestyle, and access to the outdoors, creating a mix of tradition and new energy.

Investments in schools, healthcare, and community facilities reflect Cody’s growth and long-term stability. The town remains deeply connected to Yellowstone and the surrounding public lands, drawing new families, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals who want both opportunity and quality of life.

Stable local economy with roots in ranching, tourism, and service industries
Expansion of healthcare and education strengthened the region
Strong community identity shaped by history and landscape

Cody’s past shapes the experience you feel today. The town carries its heritage with pride, but it also welcomes those who want to build a future here. You see it in the architecture, in community events, and in the conversations with residents who can trace their roots back generations. This sense of continuity is part of what makes the area feel grounded and welcoming to physicians and families arriving from larger cities.

Population & Demographics: Understanding Our Diverse Community

A community shaped by stability, connection, and strong regional influence

Cody sits within the Big Horn Basin, a region known for its steady population, multigenerational families, and a community structure built on relationships. While the town itself has roughly 10,000 residents, its influence stretches far beyond city limits. Patients routinely travel from Powell, Lovell, Meeteetse, Thermopolis, and rural parts of Park and Hot Springs counties for services, making Cody the natural hub for healthcare, education, and commerce.

You notice the community’s character quickly. Families have deep roots in the region, and many residents stay for the lifestyle, the safety, and the connection to the outdoors. Newcomers find it easy to integrate because the town balances familiarity with openness. People greet one another in stores, recognize physicians around town, and support local businesses and events throughout the year.

Population Characteristics

Cody’s population leans toward adults and families who enjoy the outdoors, value education, and prefer a quieter pace than metro areas. Residents range from ranching families to professionals, retirees, teachers, healthcare workers, and business owners. The workforce is stable, and most industries reflect the region’s blend of tourism, agriculture, energy, and public-sector employment.

Approximate city population: 10,000
Regional service population: 25,000 to 30,000
Broader healthcare catchment: 50,000 to 60,000
Low population turnover compared to larger cities
Strong middle-class presence and solid economic stability

Age, Diversity, and Household Makeup

The town has a balanced mix of age groups, with a slightly higher portion of residents between 35 and 65. Many families choose Cody for its schools, manageable cost of living, and access to recreation. Retirees are also a meaningful part of the population, drawn by the scenery, the health system, and the community feel.

While the region is less diverse than metropolitan areas, it continues to grow in cultural representation through seasonal workers, tourism, and the steady arrival of professionals relocating for work.

Higher concentration of working-age adults
Active retiree population
Household structure centered on families, couples, and long-term residents

Community Culture and Daily Interaction

Life in Cody feels personal. Physicians often describe the sense of recognition they experience outside the clinic. You run into patients at the grocery store, at school events, or on the hiking trails. People value reliability and authenticity, and they tend to develop strong relationships with the professionals who serve the community.

Local events bring the population together. Parades, holiday gatherings, athletic competitions, rodeo season, museum programs, and school activities create a rhythm that gives the town its sense of identity. These moments give you and your family opportunities to connect and build relationships quickly.

Economic Foundation and Professional Opportunities

Cody’s economy is anchored by healthcare, education, tourism, and local government. The presence of Yellowstone and surrounding public lands supports seasonal activity, but the town’s economic stability comes from year-round employers. For physician spouses or partners, opportunities exist in healthcare, education, hospitality, trades, and remote professional work.

Core industries: healthcare, education, tourism, energy, and ranching
Stable year-round employment with seasonal boost
Professional opportunities for spouses across multiple sectors

Cody offers a population that is engaged, steady, and easy to connect with. You feel the difference quickly compared to larger cities where interactions are less personal. Here, relationships matter. People know one another, appreciate their local physicians, and create an environment where you and your family can build a lasting place in the community.