Weston County sits at the southwest edge of the Black Hills in northeastern Wyoming, sharing its eastern border with South Dakota and its northern border with Crook County. Its county seat, Newcastle (~3,353), was founded in 1889 by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as it pushed west through Wyoming, drawn by the rich coal deposits discovered two years earlier near the ghost town of Cambria. The town was named by the superintendent of the Cambria Coal Company — himself an English immigrant — after his hometown of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England’s great coal shipping port. That connection to coal heritage runs through every chapter of Newcastle’s history, from the first miners who settled here in the 1880s to the BNSF Railroad office that still anchors Main Street today, serving lines that carry coal from Powder River Basin mines to ports and power plants across the continent.
Today’s Weston County economy rests on several pillars: oil and gas extraction (minerals account for 21.9% of assessed valuation), BNSF Railroad employment, the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp & Boot Camp (a state corrections facility north of Newcastle), Weston County Health Services (hospital, clinic, and retirement home), the Weston County School District, and a Wyoming Refining Company oil refinery that continues to process crude. Employment in Newcastle grew by a remarkable 8.24% from 2023 to 2024, a positive signal for a county that had seen population decline in prior years. Upton (~901), the county’s second community, sits north of Newcastle near the Powder River Basin energy corridor. The county borders South Dakota, giving Newcastle some cross-state service center character for the southern Black Hills region.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (FED) are filed in the Sixth Judicial District Court in Newcastle. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming.
Newcastle (~3,353 — named after Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England)
Other Communities
Upton (~901 — near Powder River Basin energy corridor)
County Population
~6,838 (South Dakota border county)
Employment Growth
+8.24% (2023–2024) — notable uptick; installation/maintenance occupations leading
Median Home Value
~$178,900 (Newcastle, 2024 — among the most affordable WY county seats)
Major Employers
BNSF Railroad (Main Street regional office), Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp, Weston County Health Services, Weston County School District, Wyoming Refining Co. (oil refinery), oil & gas sector, ranching
Coal Legacy
Founded on Cambria coal (1887–1928, 12M tons mined); no active coal mines in county today; coal mining heritage preserved in Anna Miller Museum
Average Commute
26.9 minutes — reflects coal mine commuters to Campbell County (Black Thunder Mine area)
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
4.5/10 — affordable acquisitions, growing employment, stable institutional base; small market; energy commuter workforce a notable tenant segment; BNSF and corrections facility as stable anchors
⚖️ 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
Sixth Judicial District Court, Weston County
Courthouse Address
1 W. Main St, Newcastle, WY 82701
Court Phone
(307) 746-4778
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time — note earlier close)
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Weston County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing. Newcastle does not require blanket rental registration for long-term residential rentals. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Wyoming lodging tax applies to short-term rentals. Newcastle’s position at the Black Hills’ western edge provides some tourist pass-through traffic on US-16 and US-85, but STR demand is modest compared to communities closer to Deadwood or Mount Rushmore.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Newcastle’s median home value of ~$178,900 is among the most affordable of any Wyoming county seat, and rents reflect this affordability. Month-to-month rent increases require one full rental period’s written notice.
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 1 month’s rent practice in this affordable market.
BNSF Railroad — A Stable Institutional Employer
BNSF Railway’s regional office on Newcastle’s Main Street is one of the county’s most significant institutional employers. BNSF moves coal from the Powder River Basin mines near Wright, Wyoming (including the massive Arch Coal Black Thunder Mine, one of the largest coal mines in the world) through Newcastle and onward east. Railroad employees — whether in operations, maintenance, engineering, or administration — typically hold well-compensated, union-protected positions with strong employment stability. BNSF employees in Newcastle represent an excellent target tenant profile: predictable income, employment tenure, and institutional stability.
Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp
The Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp & Boot Camp, a state Department of Corrections facility just north of Newcastle, is one of Weston County’s significant institutional employers. The facility operates as a minimum-security conservation camp where inmates who have demonstrated good behavior perform conservation and public service work. Its civilian staff — corrections officers, counselors, administrators, and support workers — hold state government positions with civil service protections. Like the state facilities in other WY counties (Wyoming Women’s Center in Niobrara, Wyoming Boys’ School in Washakie, Veterans Home in Johnson), corrections facility staff represent stable, year-round tenants with predictable income.
Energy Commuters
Newcastle’s 26.9-minute average commute time — the longest in our Wyoming county seat data — reflects a meaningful segment of workers who live in Newcastle but commute to energy operations in neighboring Campbell County (near Gillette and Wright). The Black Thunder Mine and other Powder River Basin operations are within commuting distance, and workers who prefer a smaller community with lower housing costs may live in Newcastle while working in Campbell County’s energy sector. For landlords, these commuter-miners can be excellent tenants: energy wages are high, employment with major operators is stable, and the preference for Newcastle over Gillette is typically a deliberate quality-of-life choice reflecting community commitment.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Sixth Judicial District Court (1 W. Main St, Newcastle). After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files a FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Weston 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. Note: this courthouse closes at 4:30 p.m. — earlier than most Wyoming district courts.
Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211 — applicable in Weston 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.
Newcastle (Black Hills western edge, BNSF Railroad on Main Street, coal heritage, growing employment +8.24%) + Upton (near Campbell County energy corridor). Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp (state). Weston County Health Services. Oil refinery. Energy commuters to Campbell Co. Median home ~$179K. Mountain Time. FED in 6th District Court (closes 4:30pm — note earlier hours). No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. Sheriff enforces.
Weston County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: BNSF Railroad employees (stable union wages), Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp staff (state employment), Weston County Health Services workers, WCSD teachers/staff, county government. Energy commuters from Campbell Co.: verify operator vs. contractor, base income vs. overtime. Ranching workers: year-round vs. seasonal. Income at 3x rent. Run WY court records. Note 4:30pm courthouse close.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Weston County, Wyoming
Weston County’s story is Wyoming’s story in miniature: resource extraction that built a community, cycles of boom and bust, and a tenacious local character that has survived each transition. The county was literally carved out of coal — the Cambria Mine, discovered in 1887 and worked until 1928, produced over 12 million tons of hard coal that fueled the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and powered communities across the region. When that mine closed, the county pivoted to oil and gas, and when those cycles turned, it pivoted again to diversification. Today, with employment growing 8.24% from 2023 to 2024 — a rate that would be impressive anywhere in Wyoming — Weston County shows signs of genuine economic momentum.
The Railroad Town That Refused to Quit
President Theodore Roosevelt visited Newcastle on April 25, 1903, drawing more than 2,000 people to Main Street — remarkable for a community that had fewer than 800 residents at the time. He spoke for half an hour from a flower-strewn platform, praising the local spirit and advocating for good citizenship. That spirit — of a community that had built itself around difficult work in a challenging landscape and refused to be defined by any single resource cycle — has characterized Newcastle ever since. The BNSF Railroad office that anchors Main Street today is a direct descendant of the Burlington Railroad office that has been in Newcastle since the 1880s, serving lines that still move hundreds of millions of tons of Wyoming coal each year. For landlords, this institutional continuity is meaningful: BNSF employees in Newcastle are as stable a tenant segment as any community in Wyoming can offer.
The Coal Commuter Economy
Weston County’s 26.9-minute average commute — the longest recorded among Wyoming county seats — reflects a distinctive economic feature: a meaningful population of workers who live in Newcastle but commute to energy operations in neighboring Campbell County. The Arch Coal Black Thunder Mine, one of the largest surface coal mines in the world, and other Powder River Basin operations are within reasonable commuting distance from Newcastle. Workers who prefer Newcastle’s smaller-town character, lower housing costs, and Black Hills proximity over Gillette’s larger urban footprint choose this commute deliberately. For landlords, these energy commuters are valuable tenants — high wages, stable employment with major operators, and a conscious choice to live in Weston County rather than commute from Gillette.
Weston 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: Sixth Judicial District Court, 1 W. Main St, Newcastle, WY 82701; phone (307) 746-4778. Hours Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm MT (note earlier close). Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Weston 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.
