Because almost 54% of the land in Wyoming is owned by the Government. The rest is sagebrush, wind and crappy scoria dirt that doesn't grow much. Coal mines and Natural gas are the primary economic movers, and they aren't people dependent operations like manufacturing or service industries. In essence, there isn't anything there for people other than to visit once in a while. Its a shithole.if people are fleeing "progressive shit holes", then why is wyoming still so barren?