Archuleta County, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Archuleta County is one of the 64 counties
of the state of Colorado of the United States
. The United States Census Bureau
estimates that the county population was 12,386 in 2006, a 25.14% increase since U.S. Census 2000. The county seat
and the only municipality
in the county is the town of Pagosa Springs.
. It was named for J. M. Archuleta
, "head of one of the old Spanish
families of New Mexico
", and in honor of Antonio D. Archuleta, who was the Senator from Conejos County at the time.
of 2000, there were 9,898 people, 3,980 households, and 2,873 families residing in the county. The population density
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 6,212 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.33% White
, 0.35% Black
or African American
, 1.40% Native American
, 0.31% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 6.97% from other races
, and 2.60% from two or more races. 16.76% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,980 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples
living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 30.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,901, and the median income for a family was $43,259. Males had a median income of $29,521 versus $21,851 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,683. About 9.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 6.60% 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 of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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...
estimates that the county population was 12,386 in 2006, a 25.14% increase since 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....
and the only municipality
Colorado municipalities
The 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:...
in the county is the town of Pagosa Springs.
History
Archuleta County was created by the Colorado legislature on April 14, 1885, out of western Conejos CountyConejos County, Colorado
Conejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:...
. It was named for J. M. Archuleta
Archuleta
Archuleta is a family name which was originated in the Basque Country of Spain. The surname ranked 2,762 out of 88,799 in the United States.-Origin:...
, "head of one of the old Spanish
Spanish American
A Spanish American is a citizen or resident of the United States whose ancestors originate from the southwestern European nation of Spain. Spanish Americans are the earliest European American group, with a continuous presence since 1565.-Immigration waves:...
families of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
", and in honor of Antonio D. Archuleta, who was the Senator from Conejos County at the time.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1355.48 square miles (3,510.7 km²), of which 1350.22 square miles (3,497.1 km²) (or 99.61%) is land and 5.26 square miles (13.6 km²) (or 0.39%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Mineral County, ColoradoMineral County, ColoradoMineral County is the second least populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the many valuable minerals found in the mountains and streams of the area. The county population was 831 at U.S. Census 2000...
- north - Rio Grande County, ColoradoRio Grande County, ColoradoRio Grande County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for the Rio Grande , which flows through the county. The county population was 12,413 at U.S. Census 2000...
- northeast - Conejos County, ColoradoConejos County, ColoradoConejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:...
- east - Rio Arriba County, New MexicoRio Arriba County, New Mexico-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*51.6% White*0.5% Black*16.0% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.3% Two or more races*28.2% Other races*71.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
- south - San Juan County, New MexicoSan Juan County, New Mexico-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*51.6% White*0.6% Black*36.6% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*7.2% Other races*19.1% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
- southwest - La Plata County, ColoradoLa Plata County, ColoradoLa Plata County is the fourteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" is the Spanish language word for "silver". The United States Census Bureau estimated that the...
- west - Hinsdale County, ColoradoHinsdale County, ColoradoHinsdale County is the least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 790 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Lake City. Hinsdale County is named for George A. Hinsdale, a...
- 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 9,898 people, 3,980 households, and 2,873 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 6,212 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.33% 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...
, 0.35% 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...
, 1.40% 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...
, 0.31% 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...
, 0.03% 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...
, 6.97% 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 2.60% from two or more races. 16.76% 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.
There were 3,980 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% 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, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 30.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,901, and the median income for a family was $43,259. Males had a median income of $29,521 versus $21,851 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 $21,683. About 9.00% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- ArbolesArboles, ColoradoArboles is a census-designated place in Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The population was 280 at the 2010 census. The Arboles Post Office has the ZIP Code 81121...
(unincorporated town) - Pagosa SpringsPagosa Springs, ColoradoPagosa Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,591 at the 2000 census...
- Chimney RockChimney Rock, ColoradoChimney Rock is an unincorporated community and USPS in Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The Chimney Rock Post Office has the ZIP Code 81127.-Geography:...
(unincorporated community) - ChromoChromo, ColoradoChromo is an unincorporated town and U.S. Post Office in Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The Chromo Post Office has the ZIP Code 81128.-Geography:Chromo is located at ....
(unincorporated town) - JuanitaJuanita, ColoradoGhost town in Archuleta County in southwest Colorado. Accessed from County Road 551 and located at ....
(ghost town)
National forests and wilderness
- Rio Grande National ForestRio Grande National ForestRio Grande National Forest is a 1.86 million acre U.S. National Forest located in southwestern Colorado. The forest encompasses the San Luis Valley, which is the world's largest agricultural alpine valley, as well as one of the worlds largest high deserts located around mountains. The...
- San Juan National ForestSan Juan National ForestThe San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres in Archuleta, Conjeos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties in western Colorado. It borders the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande...
- Chimney Rock Archeological SiteChimney Rock Archeological SiteChimney Rock Archaeological Area is an archeological site within the San Juan National Forest in Colorado. This area is located in Archuleta County, Colorado between Durango and Pagosa Springs and is managed for archaeological protection, public interpretation, and education.-Geography:Chimney...
- South San Juan WildernessSouth San Juan WildernessThe South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located east of Pagosa Springs, Colorado in the San Juan national forest.-External links:*...
Scenic and historic trails
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail
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 Archuleta County, Colorado