Ranchettes
Three-to-five acre rural living north of Cheyenne
Why People Move Here
Ranchettes is an unincorporated census-designated place immediately north of Cheyenne city limits, built on 3-to-5 acre rural-residential parcels threaded along Yellowstone Road. With ~6,400 residents on roughly 9 square miles, it's the kind of place where Davis Elementary sits on the same arterial as working horse pastures, and where a 15-minute drive puts you in downtown Cheyenne or at the gates of F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Price premiums relative to the rest of the metro reflect lot size rather than finishes — most homes here are modest ranch-style builds on land meant for horses, hay, and High Plains views.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Laramie County School District #1
B-- District-wide enrollment ~13,575 students, 13:1 student-teacher ratio
- Davis Elementary at 6309 Yellowstone Rd sits inside the Ranchettes CDP along the main arterial (K–6, ~354 students, 15:1 ratio, 47% math / 57% reading proficiency)
- Prairie Wind Elementary also serves portions of the Ranchettes area (Niche grade B-)
- McCormick Junior High (7–8, Niche grade B) and Central High School (9–12, Niche grade B, ~1,284 students, 89% graduation rate) are the district feeders
FAQ — Ranchettes
How long is the commute from Ranchettes to downtown Cheyenne?
About 15 minutes off-peak, closer to 20 minutes at rush hour, covering roughly 9 miles south on Yellowstone Road. NeighborhoodScout reports an average one-way commute of 18.2 minutes for Ranchettes residents. F.E. Warren Air Force Base is a similar 15-minute drive southwest.
What is the median home price in Ranchettes?
Roughly $615K to $745K as of 2025. Redfin reported a median sale price of $708,250 in December 2025, while Niche lists a median home value of $617,500 and Homes.com shows ~$696,000. The price premium versus Cheyenne city proper reflects the 3-to-5 acre lot sizes rather than upgraded finishes — a handful of closings per year can swing the median materially.
What schools serve Ranchettes?
Laramie County School District #1 (Niche grade B-, ~13,575 students district-wide). Davis Elementary at 6309 Yellowstone Road sits inside the Ranchettes CDP and has about 354 K-6 students. Prairie Wind Elementary serves portions of the area, with McCormick Junior High and Central High School as the district feeders. Verify enrollment eligibility by address — LCSD1 boundaries are being realigned through the Arp Elementary replacement project.
Can you keep horses in Ranchettes?
Yes, on most parcels. The CDP was platted around 3-to-5 acre lots specifically for large-lot rural-residential use, and subdivisions such as Lone Star Estates are commonly marketed as horse property. Verify current zoning and any subdivision covenants before purchasing, as a few interior pockets have tighter restrictions.
What parks and outdoor recreation are near Ranchettes?
Lions Park in Cheyenne is about 8 minutes south — 371 acres with Sloan's Lake, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Lions Park Greenway paved trail, paddleboat rental, and a mini golf course. Curt Gowdy State Park is 24 miles west on Happy Jack Road and has 35-plus miles of IMBA 'Epic'-rated mountain biking trails plus three reservoirs (Granite, Crystal, and North Crow).
What are the crime statistics in Ranchettes?
Ranchettes is patrolled by the Laramie County Sheriff's Office rather than Cheyenne PD. Laramie County as a whole ranks in the 96th safety percentile nationally per CrimeGrade, with a violent crime rate of approximately 1.657 per 1,000 residents in a typical year. LCSO reported a 61% drop in burglaries since 2021 and an 80% reduction in traffic fatalities in 2024. Ranchettes itself is not broken out separately from county-level totals.
What utilities are available in Ranchettes?
Most Ranchettes parcels are on private wells and septic systems rather than municipal water and sewer — verify well flow and septic inspection in any offer. Electricity is provided by High West Energy cooperative or Black Hills Energy depending on the subdivision, natural gas is available in portions served by Black Hills Energy (propane otherwise), and internet options include Vistabeam fixed wireless, Lumen/CenturyLink DSL, and partial Spectrum and Bluepeak coverage.
How does Wyoming's tax structure affect Ranchettes buyers?
Wyoming has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no corporate income tax. The combined sales tax in Laramie County is 6.0% (4.0% state plus 2.0% local), and the statewide effective property tax rate is roughly 0.57% — among the lowest in the U.S. For 2025, Laramie County adopted a 10-mill general operations levy out of a 12-mill constitutional maximum.
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