Associated Press - November 13, 2009 1:45 PM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Even though gay marriage is illegal in Wyoming, the state has the fifth-highest percentage of same-sex spouses of any state in the nation.

That's an estimated 2.28 same-sex married couples per 1,000 households. That translates into an estimated 476 households in the state.

Only Massachusetts, Vermont, Hawaii and Utah had a higher percentage of same-sex couples who regarded themselves as married.

Last year was the first time the Census Bureau has asked about same-sex spouses in its annual American Community Survey. In states where same-sex marriages weren't recognized, the survey took into account both gay and lesbian couples issued marriage licenses and those who referred to each other as husband or wife.

Gay marriage scholars and activists say many gay and lesbian couples in Wyoming may call themselves married as a show of defiance in 1 of the most conservative states in the nation and the state's small population may skew survey results.

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