Garfield County, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Garfield County is the eighth most extensive and the twelfth most populous of the 64 counties
of the State of Colorado
of the United States
. The county population was 43,791 at U.S. Census 2000. The county is named in honor of United States President
James A. Garfield. The county seat
is Glenwood Springs
.
of 2000, there were 43,791 people, 16,229 households, and 11,279 families residing in the county. The population density
was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 17,336 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.96% White
, 0.45% Black
or African American
, 0.71% Native American
, 0.44% Asian
, 0.08% Pacific Islander
, 6.53% from other races
, and 1.84% from two or more races. 16.67% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 18.1% were of German
, 11.1% English
, 11.0% Irish
, 7.1% American
and 5.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,229 households out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples
living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 33.00% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 105.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,016, and the median income for a family was $53,840. Males had a median income of $37,554 versus $27,280 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,341. About 4.60% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
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
Colorado
Colorado 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...
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 43,791 at U.S. Census 2000. The county is named in honor of United States President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
James A. Garfield. 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 Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
The City of Glenwood Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 8,564 in 2005...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2955.76 square miles (7,655.4 km²), of which 2947.06 square miles (7,632.9 km²) (or 99.71%) is land and 8.7 square miles (22.5 km²) (or 0.29%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Rio Blanco CountyRio Blanco County, ColoradoRio Blanco County is the sixth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 5,986 at U.S. Census 2000. The name of the county is the Spanish language name for the White River which runs through it...
, 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...
- north - 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...
- northeast - 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...
- east - Pitkin CountyPitkin County, ColoradoPitkin County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of the late Colorado Governor Frederick Walker Pitkin. The county population was 14,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Aspen...
, 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 - Mesa CountyMesa County, ColoradoMesa County is the fourth most extensive and the eleventh most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county was named for the many large mesas in the area, including Grand Mesa. The county population was 146,723 at the 2010 United States Census. The...
, 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 - Grand CountyGrand County, UtahGrand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000 the population was 8,485, and by 2005 had been estimated at 8,743. It was named for the Colorado River, which at the time of statehood was known as the Grand River. Its county seat and largest city is Moab.-Geography:According...
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
- southwest - Uintah CountyUintah County, UtahThis page deals with the Utah County. For the Wyoming County, see Uinta County, Wyoming.Uintah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000 the population was 25,224 and by 2009 was estimated at 31,536. It was named for the Ute Indians, the tribe that lives in the basin. Its...
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
- northwest
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 43,791 people, 16,229 households, and 11,279 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 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 17,336 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.96% 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...
, 0.45% 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...
, 0.71% 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...
, 0.44% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 6.53% 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 1.84% from two or more races. 16.67% 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. 18.1% 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....
, 11.1% 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...
, 11.0% 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...
, 7.1% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.6% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,229 households out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% 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, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 33.00% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 105.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,016, and the median income for a family was $53,840. Males had a median income of $37,554 versus $27,280 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 $21,341. About 4.60% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Battlement MesaBattlement Mesa, ColoradoBattlement Mesa is a census-designated place located in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,471 at the 2010 census...
- CarbondaleCarbondale, ColoradoCarbondale is a Home Rule Municipality in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 5,196 at the 2000 census. The town is located in the mid valley of the Roaring Fork River, downstream from Aspen and upstream from the mouth of the Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs. The town...
- Glenwood SpringsGlenwood Springs, ColoradoThe City of Glenwood Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 8,564 in 2005...
- New CastleNew Castle, ColoradoThe Town of New Castle is a Home Rule Municipality in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,984 at the 2000 census.New Castle is the site of a mine fire that has been burning since 1899.-Geography:...
- ParachuteParachute, ColoradoThe Town of Parachute is a Statutory Town in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,006 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Parachute is located at ....
- RifleRifle, ColoradoThe City of Rifle is a Home Rule Municipality in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 6,769 at the 2000 census. Rifle is a regional center of the cattle ranching industry located along Interstate 70 and the Colorado River just east of the Roan Cliffs, which dominate the...
- SiltSilt, ColoradoSilt is a Statutory Town in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,740 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Silt is located at , about 185 miles west of Denver....
Protected areas
- Flat Tops Wilderness
- Grand Mesa National ForestGrand Mesa National ForestThe Grand Mesa National Forest is a U.S. National Forest in Mesa, Delta and Garfield Counties in Western Colorado. It borders the White River National Forest to the north and the Gunnison National Forest to the east. The forest covers most of Grand Mesa and the south part of Battlement Mesa. It...
- Harvey Gap State ParkHarvey Gap State ParkHarvey Gap State Park, is a Colorado state park. It is well known for its fishing and limited use boating. The lake is when full and allows fishing year round....
- Rifle Falls State ParkRifle Falls State ParkRifle Falls State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Garfield County northeast of Rifle, Colorado. The central feature of the park is a triple waterfall flowing over a travertine dam on East Rifle Creek. Commonly seen wildlife includes mule deer, elk, coyote, and golden-mantled ground...
- Rifle Gap State ParkRifle Gap State ParkRifle Gap State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Garfield County near Rifle, Colorado. The park established in 1966 includes a reservoir. Plant communities are pinyon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush shrubland with deciduous riparian forest in places along the edge of the reservoir. Commonly...
- Routt National Forest
- White River National ForestWhite River National ForestWhite River National Forest is a National Forest in northwest Colorado. It is named after the White River that passes through it. It also contains the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, largely considered the birthplace of the U.S...
Scenic byways
- Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway National Scenic Byway
- Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
- West Elk Loop Scenic Byway
See also
- 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 Garfield County, ColoradoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Garfield County, ColoradoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Garfield County, Colorado. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Garfield County, Colorado, United States...