AARP ranks Greybull among most livable communities in Wyoming

Greybull has been named one of the Top 10 most livable communities in Wyoming by the AARP Livability Index.
Started in 2015, the index evaluates and ranks communities based on a broad series of factors ranging from homes and transportation to healthcare and community engagement. Altogether, Greybull scored 62 points out of 100, putting it into the top half of small communities (5,000 – 24,999 people) nationwide.
Greybull scored above the median average in all but two categories: environment and health, landing below the median in both categories.
According to the Index, 2.95% of local residents are exposed to drinking-water violations, but experience better air quality as compared to the average American. Other environmental concerns cited included the state’s failure to implement a utility disconnection policy to prevent the stoppage of utilities for vulnerable persons (i.e. a utility provider could not stop electric for non-payment in the midst of a heatwave, depriving customers of air conditioning or other necessities), lack of energy-efficient infrastructure, and a failure to cultivate more age-friendly community environments.
In its evaluation of the community’s health, the Index found Greybull residents are less obese on average, but smoke more (19.7% of the population as compared to 18.8% on average). A key health failure came from a perceived lack of available exercise opportunities, which asks that people in rural communities live within three miles or less of a public park or other recreational facility. In that, Greybull scored 46% against the nationwide average of 64.8%. Another failure emerged with the number of preventable hospitalizations annually: Greybull saw 44% as compared to 38%.
More positive, however, were Greybull’s scores in housing and community engagement. The index found locals had, on average, retained more affordable and subsidized housing in Greybull.
Ultimately, however, AARP’s Index was most impressed by Greybull’s community and civic engagement data: the community scored 79 out of 100. The Index revealed that 28.5 organizations per 10,000 people existed for the betterment of the local community and the cultivation of social connections overall; on average, it’s just eight. Additionally, 3.2 cultural institutions per 10,000 people exist within the community compared to the average 1.9. The institutions compiled within the Index’s research included churches, political, civic, social clubs, and museums. Greybull also scored above average in its social involvement (1.28 out of 2.5).
Other communities in the Big Horn Basin noted by AARP’s Livability included Powell (63), Cody (63), Thermopolis (62), and Worland (61). Jackson took the number one slot for Wyoming (68) and ranked ninth among small communities nationwide.
Those interested may access AARP’s Livability Index by visiting www.livabilityindex.aarp.org/top-communities.