Grand Lake, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The Town of Grand Lake is a Statutory Town located in Grand County
, Colorado
, United States
. The population was 447 at the 2000 census.
Established in 1881, Grand Lake sits at an elevation of 8437 feet (2572 m). It derives its name from the nearby Grand Lake
, the largest natural body of water in Colorado. Grand Lake was originally an outfitting and supply point for the mining settlements of Lulu City, Teller City, and Gaskill, but today is a tourist destination into Rocky Mountain National Park
to the north. Grand Lake was the Grand County seat of government from 1882-1888. It was incorporated on June 23, 1944.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land. (the town does not encircle the lake).
The town of Grand Lake serves as the western portal to Rocky Mountain National Park
, and the summertime population swells tenfold as tourists and summer home owners descend on the area to enjoy the warm weather, cool water and numerous recreational activities. For years, the Grand Lake Lodge
has been a notable landmark in Grand Lake, boasting its magnificent view of the Lake, as well as its rustic cabins and frequent wildlife sightings. Henry Ford was a guest at this lodge in 1927. It is currently under new ownership and will re-open for the full summer season June 2011.
which diverts water east under the Continental Divide through a tunnel. The western end is about in the center of the far shore in the photo. As part of the project, water is pumped into nearby man made reservoirs Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Lake. Grand Lake is considered the headwaters to the Colorado River
. Grand Lake Yacht Club
serves the people of Grand Lake as a private club hosting sailing races on the Lake.
of 2000, there were 447 people, 219 households, and 121 families residing in the town. The population density
was 472.5 people per square mile (181.7/km²). There were 748 housing units at an average density of 790.7 per square mile (304.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.20% White, 0.67% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.22% from other races
, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% of the population.
There were 219 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples
living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 35.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 124.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,096, and the median income for a family was $55,750. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $34,676. About 3.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
company produces three Broadway musicals from June through August and one musical in September. In the Spring of 2010, construction will begin on a new 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) theatre complex in Grand Lake.
Grand County, Colorado
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...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 447 at the 2000 census.
Established in 1881, Grand Lake sits at an elevation of 8437 feet (2572 m). It derives its name from the nearby Grand Lake
Grand Lake (Colorado)
Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake, one of the headwaters of the Colorado River in Grand County, Colorado. On its shores is located the eponymous town of Grand Lake. The elevation of the lake surface is 8,367 feet . It is formed by the damming of several streams by a...
, the largest natural body of water in Colorado. Grand Lake was originally an outfitting and supply point for the mining settlements of Lulu City, Teller City, and Gaskill, but today is a tourist destination into Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
to the north. Grand Lake was the Grand County seat of government from 1882-1888. It was incorporated on June 23, 1944.
Geography
Grand Lake is located at 40°15′2"N 105°49′28"W (40.250492, -105.824323).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land. (the town does not encircle the lake).
The town of Grand Lake serves as the western portal to Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
, and the summertime population swells tenfold as tourists and summer home owners descend on the area to enjoy the warm weather, cool water and numerous recreational activities. For years, the Grand Lake Lodge
Grand Lake Lodge
The Grand Lake Lodge was opened in 1920 to serve tourists visiting Rocky Mountain National Park via the Trail Ridge Road, completed the same year. Located in Grand Lake, Colorado, the rustic lodge was founded by Frank Huntington and Roe Emery on land owned by the National Park Service at the edge...
has been a notable landmark in Grand Lake, boasting its magnificent view of the Lake, as well as its rustic cabins and frequent wildlife sightings. Henry Ford was a guest at this lodge in 1927. It is currently under new ownership and will re-open for the full summer season June 2011.
Grand Lake
The lake itself is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson ProjectColorado-Big Thompson project
The Colorado-Big Thompson Project is a water diversion project in Colorado designed to collect West Slope mountain water from the headwaters of the Colorado River and divert it to Colorado's Front Range and plains...
which diverts water east under the Continental Divide through a tunnel. The western end is about in the center of the far shore in the photo. As part of the project, water is pumped into nearby man made reservoirs Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Lake. Grand Lake is considered the headwaters to the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
. Grand Lake Yacht Club
Grand Lake Yacht Club
Grand Lake Yacht Club or GLYC is one of North America's highest yacht clubs. Located at 8,230 feet in elevation, it serves the town of Grand Lake, Colorado as a private club...
serves the people of Grand Lake as a private club hosting sailing races on the Lake.
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 447 people, 219 households, and 121 families residing in the town. 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 472.5 people per square mile (181.7/km²). There were 748 housing units at an average density of 790.7 per square mile (304.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.20% White, 0.67% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.22% 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 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68% of the population.
There were 219 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% 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, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 35.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 124.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,096, and the median income for a family was $55,750. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $26,250 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 town was $34,676. About 3.0% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Grand Lake is home to the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. This summer stock theatreSummer stock theatre
Summer stock theatre is any theatre that presents stage productions only in the summer within the United States. The name combines both the seasonal time of year with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes...
company produces three Broadway musicals from June through August and one musical in September. In the Spring of 2010, construction will begin on a new 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) theatre complex in Grand Lake.
See also
- State of Colorado
- Colorado cities and towns
- 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:...
- Colorado municipalities
- 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...
- Grand County, ColoradoGrand County, ColoradoGrand 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...
- Grand County, Colorado
- Colorado cities and towns
- United States Forest ServiceUnited States Forest ServiceThe United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
- Arapaho National ForestArapaho National ForestArapaho National Forest is a National Forest located in north-central Colorado, United States. The facility is managed jointly with the Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland from the United States Forest Service office in Fort Collins, Colorado...
- Arapaho National Recreation AreaArapaho National Recreation AreaThe Arapaho National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area that is located near the headwaters of the Colorado River in north central Colorado adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. ANRA is under the jurisdiction of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest...
- Arapaho National Forest
- United States Park Service
- Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Grand Lake Yacht ClubGrand Lake Yacht ClubGrand Lake Yacht Club or GLYC is one of North America's highest yacht clubs. Located at 8,230 feet in elevation, it serves the town of Grand Lake, Colorado as a private club...