Converse County has a distinction that most Wyoming counties lack and many would envy: it is Wyoming’s leading crude oil producing county, consistently ranking first in the state for crude oil output and in the top three for natural gas. Its county seat, Douglas (~6,420), sits at the crossroads of I-25 and the North Platte River in central Wyoming, positioning it as a service hub for one of the state’s most productive oil and gas plays. The county’s economy is heavily energy-driven, and employment has been growing — increasing 3.74% from 2023 to 2024 — yet the community faces a documented workforce housing shortage that constrains growth. Business leaders and county officials have explicitly identified the lack of affordable workforce housing as one of the primary barriers to filling open positions and attracting employers.
For landlords, this supply-demand imbalance is the central fact of the Converse County rental market. The county has more jobs than it can fill, workers who want to live there cannot find suitable housing, and the rental stock has not kept pace with the energy sector’s growth. Rental properties in Douglas that are priced appropriately, maintained well, and offered to the oil and gas workforce face consistently low vacancy rates. This is a landlord’s market driven by real economic fundamentals, not speculation.
Douglas is also home to the Wyoming State Fair (held annually in August/September), the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum (the historic “Old Pen”), and Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park. All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (FED) are filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court in Douglas. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming.
Douglas (~6,420 — “Jackalope Capital of the World”)
County Population
~13,853 (stable, +0.32%/yr)
Oil & Gas
#1 crude oil producing county in Wyoming; top 3 in natural gas
Housing Market
Documented workforce housing shortage — more jobs than available housing; ~150+ open positions vs. limited rental stock
Median Home Value
~$267,400 (2024)
Employment Growth
+3.74% (2023–2024); unemployment ~2.1%
Major Employers
Oil & gas operators & service companies (multiple), Converse County School District, Memorial Hospital of Converse County, county & state government, Wyoming State Fair
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
7/10 — documented housing shortage, strong energy employment, growing labor market; boom-bust risk applies; excellent for well-maintained workforce rentals
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance (Wyoming)
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Lease Violation (curable)
3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Illegal Activity / Non-curable
3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Written Notice (1 full rental period)
Court Action
Forcible Entry & Detainer (FED) — District Court
Court
Eighth Judicial District Court, Converse County
Courthouse Address
107 N. 5th St, Douglas, WY 82633
Court Phone
(307) 358-3165
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Converse County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing. Douglas does not require blanket rental registration for long-term residential rentals. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Wyoming lodging tax applies to short-term rentals. Douglas’s Wyoming State Fair grounds draw significant visitor traffic each August/September, creating modest short-term rental demand during fair week.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Month-to-month rent increases require one full rental period’s written notice. The documented workforce housing shortage in Douglas creates pricing power for landlords — demand exceeds supply in the mid-market workforce rental segment.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap in Wyoming. Must disclose if any portion is nonrefundable. Return within 30 days of termination/eviction OR 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. No interest required. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. Standard practice in this market is 1–1.5 months’ rent. For oil field workers who rotate between locations or may leave at project end, collecting a full 1.5 months is reasonable.
🛢️ Wyoming’s #1 Crude Oil County
Converse County’s status as Wyoming’s leading crude oil producing county (confirmed by the Petroleum Association of Wyoming’s 2024 facts and figures report) places it at the center of Wyoming’s most significant oil and gas play. Multiple major operators maintain active drilling programs in the county, and oilfield service companies supporting those operators employ a substantial local workforce. For landlords, this means the energy workforce is the dominant tenant segment — drillers, engineers, landmen, truck drivers, equipment operators, inspectors, and the service, retail, and healthcare workers who support them all need housing in Douglas. The boom-bust caveat familiar to all Wyoming energy counties applies here: screen tenants’ employment for company stability, lease type (direct employee vs. contractor), and base versus overtime income.
Workforce Housing Shortage
As of 2024, Converse County’s economic development leadership, county commissioners, and the City of Douglas have collectively identified workforce housing as the county’s most significant economic constraint. With over 150 open positions as of early 2024 and an unemployment rate of approximately 2.1%, employers are competing for a finite pool of local workers — and the primary barrier to attracting new workers is that suitable housing is not available. This context is extraordinarily favorable for landlords. New rental units, renovated homes, and well-maintained workforce-priced rentals face essentially no competitive pressure in this market. Landlords who invest in Converse County’s rental stock are providing a genuine community service while operating in favorable demand conditions.
Wyoming State Fair
The Wyoming State Fair is held in Douglas each year, typically spanning late August into early September, and draws tens of thousands of visitors over its run. For landlords with short-term rental capacity during fair week, this is one of the highest-demand periods in the Douglas market. Long-term residential landlords should be aware of the fair week traffic as a factor in their late summer/fall vacancy planning.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court (107 N. 5th St, Douglas). After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files a FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Converse County Sheriff’s Office may enforce the eviction. No self-help eviction, lockout, or utility shutoff permitted. Domestic violence is an affirmative defense to eviction.
Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211 — applicable in Converse County
⚡ Quick Overview
3
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
3 (all violations)
Days Notice (Violation)
14-30
Avg Total Days
$$70
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period3 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 3-day notice period to stop eviction
Days to Hearing3-10 (summons sets return day for hearing; typically within days of filing) days
Days to Writ0-30 days after judgment (court determines; Writ of Restitution issued) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-350
⚠️ Watch Out
3-day notice for nonpayment. No statutory grace period. Very landlord-friendly state with fast process. Notice must be in writing and left with tenant in person or at usual place of abode. After 3 days, landlord files FED complaint with circuit court ($70 filing fee). Summons sets return day (hearing date). If landlord wins: court issues Writ of Restitution giving tenant 0-30 days to vacate (court discretion - better chance of more time if tenant attends trial). If tenant doesn't attend = likely immediate writ. After writ: only sheriff can physically remove. Landlord can remove property and leave it outside after sheriff executes writ. No statutory cap on security deposits. Lease must state if any deposit portion is nonrefundable. Safe Homes Act: DV victims can break lease with 30 days notice + protection order.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Circuit Court - Forcible Entry and Detainer (WS § 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1016). Pay the filing fee (~$$70).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Wyoming eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Wyoming attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Douglas (“Jackalope Capital”) — WY’s #1 crude oil county. Documented workforce housing shortage = landlord’s market. Unemployment ~2.1%. Employment growing +3.74%/yr. Wyoming State Fair annually. Mountain Time. FED in 8th District Court. No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. Sheriff enforces.
Converse County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: Oil & gas direct employees (not contractors — verify employment type), CCSD teachers/staff, Memorial Hospital staff, county government workers. For oil field workers: verify operator vs. contractor, length of time in county, base vs. overtime income. 1.5 mo deposit for short-tenure workers. Income at 3x rent. Run WY court records.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Converse County, Wyoming
Converse County offers one of the clearest investment cases of any rural Wyoming county: a documented, publicly acknowledged workforce housing shortage in a community with growing employment, ultra-low unemployment, and the state’s leading crude oil production. The local economic development organization, county commissioners, and city leadership have explicitly identified housing as the binding constraint on economic growth — which means the next rental unit added to the Douglas market is genuinely needed and will face minimal competition for qualified tenants.
Wyoming’s Oil Capital
Converse County’s oil production leadership is not a recent development — the county’s Powder River Basin proximity and the productive geological formations beneath it have made it a consistent leader. Multiple major operators (including some of Wyoming’s largest producers) maintain active programs in the county, supported by an extensive network of oilfield service companies based in Douglas and the surrounding area. The workforce this generates — petroleum engineers, well site supervisors, drillers, operators, truck drivers, welders, inspectors, and the administrative and service workers supporting all of them — represents Douglas’s primary rental demand base. For landlords, the screening imperative is distinguishing between direct operator employees (more stable) and independent contractors (more variable), and between long-tenure county residents and newly arrived project workers.
The Jackalope Economy
Douglas has embraced its identity as the “Jackalope Capital of the World” — the mythical jackrabbit-antelope hybrid that features prominently in Wyoming hunting culture and roadside Americana — with genuine civic pride. The Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum draws history tourists to the historic old state penitentiary, and the Wyoming State Fair is one of the region’s major annual agricultural events, bringing exhibitors, competitors, and spectators from across Wyoming and neighboring states each August and September. These assets support a modest but real tourism and event economy that complements the energy sector’s more substantial employment base. For landlords, the State Fair week represents a short-term rental peak demand period worth noting in annual planning.
Converse County landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211. Nonpayment: 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Lease violation (curable): 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Illegal activity / non-curable: 3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. Security deposit: no statutory cap; disclose if any portion nonrefundable; return within 30 days of termination/eviction or 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. No rent control. No just-cause eviction. No self-help eviction; no lockout; no utility shutoff. Sheriff-only enforcement. Domestic violence is affirmative defense to eviction. No WY income tax. Court: Eighth Judicial District Court, 107 N. 5th St, Douglas, WY 82633; phone (307) 358-3165. Hours Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MT. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Converse County, Wyoming and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Wyoming attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
