Grand County, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Grand County is the 21st largest of the 64 counties
of the State of Colorado of the United States
. The county population was 12,442 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat
is Hot Sulphur Springs
.
See also: List of counties bordering eight or more counties
of 2000, there were 12,442 people, 5,075 households, and 3,217 families residing in the county. The population density
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.15% White
, 0.48% Black
or African American
, 0.43% Native American
, 0.68% Asian
, 0.10% Pacific Islander
, 2.00% from other races
, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.36% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 23.8% were of German
, 12.6% Irish
, 10.0% English
and 7.3% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 5,075 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples
living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,759, and the median income for a family was $55,217. Males had a median income of $34,861 versus $26,445 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $25,198. About 5.40% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is now in present day Moffat County
and Routt County
. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River, an old name for the Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the county. On January 29, 1877 Routt County was created and Grand County shrunk down to its current western boundary. When valuable minerals were found in North Park
, Grand County claimed the area as part of its county, a claim Larimer County
also held. It took a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1886 to declare North Park part of Larimer County, setting Grand County's northern boundary.
Colorado counties
The U.S state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions, such as townships...
of the State of Colorado of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The county population was 12,442 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Hot Sulphur Springs
Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado
The Town of Hot Sulphur Springs is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of Grand County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 521 at the U.S. Census 2000 and is at an elevation of 7,680 feet .-History:...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1869.6 square miles (4,842.2 km²), of which 1846.67 square miles (4,782.9 km²) (or 98.77%) is land and 22.93 square miles (59.4 km²) (or 1.23%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Larimer CountyLarimer County, ColoradoLarimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- northeast - Gilpin CountyGilpin County, ColoradoGilpin County is the second least extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Gilpin County was named after Colonel William Gilpin, the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado. The county population was 4,757 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Central City...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- east - Boulder CountyBoulder County, ColoradoBoulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- east - Clear Creek CountyClear Creek County, ColoradoClear Creek County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 9,322 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Georgetown...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- southeast - Summit CountySummit County, ColoradoSummit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- south - Eagle CountyEagle County, ColoradoEagle County is the thirteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county is named for the Eagle River. The county population was 41,659 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the Town of Eagle...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- southwest - Jackson CountyJackson County, ColoradoJackson County is the fourth-least densely populated of the Colorado 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. The county population was 1,577 at the 2000 Census. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Walden.- History :...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- northwest - Routt CountyRoutt County, ColoradoRoutt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- northwest
See also: List of counties bordering eight or more counties
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,442 people, 5,075 households, and 3,217 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.15% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.48% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.43% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.68% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.10% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.00% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.36% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 23.8% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 12.6% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 10.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 7.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 5,075 households out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,759, and the median income for a family was $55,217. Males had a median income of $34,861 versus $26,445 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $25,198. About 5.40% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- FraserFraser, ColoradoFraser is a Statutory Town in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 910 at the 2000 census. The town is in Middle Park in the valley of the Fraser River along U.S. Highway 40...
- GranbyGranby, ColoradoThe Town of Granby is a Statutory Town that is the most populous town in Grand County, Colorado, United States. Granby is situated along U.S. Highway 40 in Middle Park about west of Denver, Colorado, southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park...
- Grand LakeGrand Lake, ColoradoThe Town of Grand Lake is a Statutory Town located in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 447 at the 2000 census....
- Hot Sulphur SpringsHot Sulphur Springs, ColoradoThe Town of Hot Sulphur Springs is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of Grand County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 521 at the U.S. Census 2000 and is at an elevation of 7,680 feet .-History:...
- KremmlingKremmling, ColoradoKremmling is a Statutory Town in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,578 at the 2000 census. The town sits along the upper Colorado River in the lower arid section of Middle Park between Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon...
- RadiumRadium, ColoradoRadium is a small rural unincorporated community in southwestern Grand County, Colorado, United States. The community sits in the mountains along an isolated stretch of Colorado River downstream from Gore Canyon and southwest of Kremmling. The mainline of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ...
- TabernashTabernash, ColoradoTabernash is a census-designated place in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 165 at the 2000 census. The Tabernash Post Office has the ZIP Code 80478.-Geography:Tabernash is located at ....
- Winter ParkWinter Park, ColoradoWinter Park is a Home Rule Municipality in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 662 at the 2000 census, although tourists and seasonal workers significantly increase the population....
History
When Grand County was created February 2, 1874 it was carved out of Summit CountySummit County, Colorado
Summit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge...
and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is now in present day Moffat County
Moffat County, Colorado
Moffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :...
and Routt County
Routt County, Colorado
Routt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :...
. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River, an old name for the Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the county. On January 29, 1877 Routt County was created and Grand County shrunk down to its current western boundary. When valuable minerals were found in North Park
North Park (Colorado basin)
North Park is a high, sparsely populated basin in the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado in the United States. It encompasses a wide valley in Jackson County rimmed by mountain ranges at the headwaters of the North Platte River and several smaller tributaries, including the Michigan River,...
, Grand County claimed the area as part of its county, a claim Larimer County
Larimer County, Colorado
Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming...
also held. It took a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1886 to declare North Park part of Larimer County, setting Grand County's northern boundary.
National wilderness areas
- Byers Peak WildernessByers Peak WildernessThe Byers Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in Arapaho National Forest in north central Colorado. The wilderness named after its highest peak was established in 1993.-External links:* at Sangres.com...
- Indian Peaks WildernessIndian Peaks WildernessThe Indian Peaks Wilderness is a wilderness area in north central Colorado managed jointly by the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and small parts of the southern section of Rocky Mountain National Park. It borders the...
- Never Summer WildernessNever Summer WildernessThe Never Summer Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located immediately west of Rocky Mountain National Park in the Never Summer Mountains of northern Colorado.-External links:*...
- Ptarmigan Peak WildernessPtarmigan Peak WildernessThe Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located north of Dillion, Colorado in the Williams Fork Mountains. The wilderness was established in 1993 in the White River and Routt national forests....
- Sarvis Creek WildernessSarvis Creek WildernessThe Sarvis Creek Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located south of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the Routt national forest. -External links:*...
- Vasquez Peak WildernessVasquez Peak WildernessThe Vasquez Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located southwest of Winter Park, Colorado. The wilderness established in 1993 in the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests has of trails....
Scenic byways
- Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway
- Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway
See also
- Saratoga County, Jefferson TerritorySaratoga County, Jefferson TerritorySaratoga County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:...
- Colorado census statistical areas
- Colorado countiesColorado countiesThe U.S state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions, such as townships...
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Grand County, ColoradoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Grand County, ColoradoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Grand County, Colorado.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Grand County, Colorado, United States...
External links
- Grand County Government website
- Arapaho National Recreation Area website
- Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
- Colorado Historical Society
- Grand County Library District website
- Grand County News website
- Grand County Tourism Board website
- National Register of Historic Places listing for Grand County
- Rocky Mountain National Park website
- Winter Park and Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce website