City with a Western character close to Yellowstone
About 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, Cody is a destination in its own right, with expansive recreational offerings and entertainment centers with a Western flair. Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody established the city in 1896 after recognizing the area’s agricultural, irrigation and recreational potential. According to the United States Census, the city has since grown to a population of around 10,000, with an influx of tourists in the summer stopping by on their way to Yellowstone. “It’s still got a lot of rural roots, farms and ranches, and in five minutes, I can take you on a 20-mile hike,” says Jake Hogan, CEO of Forward Cody, the city’s economic development organization. Although agriculture is a central part of Cody’s economy — with high yields of sugar beets, whey and corn—the tourism industry is a primary revenue source with Yellowstone nearby. The city also has many pioneer-focused museums and a historic downtown district. “It’s still an Old Western-looking town, with some of the buildings downtown created with rocks that were quarried when they built the irrigation district.”
The Old West charm of downtown Cody is alive with wooden boardwalks and history.
A powerful buffalo stands proudly outside the iconic Irma Hotel in Cody.
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An Old West-style downtown with local businesses
Downtown Cody is anchored around Sheridan Avenue, where sandstone buildings dating back to the early 1900s maintain the area’s Western character. Over the years, local merchants have changed, bringing different businesses, including the boot stores, gift shops and boutiques that line the street today. Restaurants range from coffeehouses to saloons and steakhouses. Box stores, such as Walmart, national grocers and additional restaurants are located on 17th Street and Yellowstone Avenue.
The Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill, is a historic gem in downtown Cody.
Cody’s Old Western boutiques offer handcrafted goods and cowboy-style fashion.
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Rodeo Capital of the World and Western-themed museums
Cody has earned the title “Rodeo Capital of the World," hosting the world's only nightly rodeo from June through August — the Cody Nite Rodeo — as well as the Cody Stampede Rodeo, a four-day event over the July 4th holiday when the city's population triples. “First thing at the rodeo, everyone sits down, they’re excited, they’ve looked at the livestock, and then you get a prayer for the cowboys and our country — you hardly see that ever—that’s just part of rodeo in general,” says Krissy Kessinger, broker and owner of Kessinger Real Estate with over seven years of experience. Various museums around the city have exhibits that tell the story of the city’s pioneers, including Old Trail Town, Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Historic Cody Mural and Museum located within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which focuses on Mormon pioneer experiences.
The Old West strip in Cody preserves the town’s frontier heritage with rustic storefronts.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West showcases the rich history of the American West.
Unique Western-inspired art is displayed at the Buffalo Bill Event Center in Cody.
A stunning mosaic mural at the Buffalo Bill Event Center depicts Cody’s wild landscape.
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Recreation from the Shoshone River to Yellowstone
Although many tourists come through the area bound west for Yellowstone National Park’s 2.2 million acres, Cody has also established itself as a destination for outdoor recreation. “There’s not much you can’t find to do outside here,” says Hogan, explaining that the natural spaces surrounding the city are popular for horseback riding, hiking, hunting and mountain biking. “There are several trails in town, and people take their dogs and walk the [Shoshone River], which has access points for fly fishermen and is one of the most populated rivers as far as fishing goes.”
America’s first designated national forest, the Shoshone National Forest, is south of Cody and has multi-use trails and wildlife for viewing and hunting. Shooting ranges dot the city, allowing hunters to practice before going to the forest or nearby hunt clubs. Cody also has an aquatic and recreation center and city parks with playgrounds and athletic facilities. Buffalo Bill State Park spans 3,000 acres of land and 9,000 acres of water, popular for water sports. Typical for Wyoming, Cody is known to be windy and cold in the winter, with an average of 13 days at or below zero.
Buffalo Bill State Park and Reservoir offer a serene winter landscape near Cody.
A fly fisherman casts on the scenic Shoshone River near Cody.
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Townhouses, traditional architectural styles and multi-acre estates
Downtown has modern townhouses and single-family housing, including bungalows and minimal traditional houses. East of downtown are traditional townhouses and ranch-style and new traditional single-family homes. Millennium mansions and ranch-style homes are found west of downtown on expansive properties. Home prices can range from $195,000 to $3.8 million, depending on property size. The median home price is $535,000, about $200,000 higher than Park County’s, according to the National Association of Realtors.
An open ranch home near Cody embraces wide landscapes and Western tradition.
Modern townhomes in Cody offer contemporary living with mountain views.
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Learning and school choice in Cody
Park County School District 6 serves Cody and earns a B grade from Niche. Heart Mountain Academy is an alternative high school that receives a B and offers and caps enrollment at 45 students to promote small-group learning. Cody High School also maintains a B and offers various Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses.
The Park County School District building in Cody serves local students with pride.
Cody High School stands as a hub of education and community in the heart of town.
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Cody’s airport, hospital and Yellowstone connections
Sheridan Avenue runs west and east through the city’s center, forming part of U.S. Route 14. US-14 connects the Yellowstone Regional Airport to Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance. The airport has commercial flights to Denver International Airport. Cody Regional Health facilities are centrally located and accessible via Sheridan Avenue. Belfry Highway runs north and south through Cody, tying it to Billings, Montana, and Powell Highway connects Cody to Powell, Wyoming.
Crime statistics for Cody and Park County
According to the Park County Sheriff’s Office 2023 Annual Report, patrol incidents across the county increased by 12.3% between 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, data from the Cody Police Department indicates that between 2022 and 2023, violent crimes decreased by 4.5%, and property crimes increased by 9.57%. However, between 2023 and 2024, property crimes decreased by 23.3%, and violent crimes decreased by 19%.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
