Douglas County, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Douglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties
of the state of Colorado
, in the United States
. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver
and Colorado Springs
. The United States Census Bureau
that the county population was 285,465 in 2010 census, a 62.4% increase since the 2000 census, making Douglas County one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Douglas County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
. The county seat is Castle Rock
, named after a prominent castle tower-shaped butte
just north of the town.
Douglas County is lightly wooded, mostly with ponderosa pine
, with broken terrain characterized by mesas and small streams. Cherry Creek
and Plum Creek rise in Douglas County and flow north toward Denver and into the South Platte River
. Both were subject to flash flooding in the past, Plum Creek being partially responsible for the Denver
flood of 1965. Cherry Creek is now dammed.
Most residents commute to workplaces elsewhere in the metropolitan area outside of the county. Suburban development is displacing the ranching economy of the county.
of Illinois
, who died five months before the county was created. The county seat was originally Franktown
, but was moved to California Ranch in 1863, and then to Castle Rock in 1874. Although the county's boundaries originally extended eastward to the Kansas
state border, in 1874 most of the eastern portion of the county became part of Elbert County
.
Douglas County has a comprehensive library system with a large local history section, the Douglas County History Research Center, at http://www.douglascountyhistory.org
, Chatfield State Park
and Roxborough State Park
. Parts of the county lie within the Pike National Forest
and were crossed by the historic South Platte Trail.
Recreation trails in the county include:
of 2000, there were 175,766 people, 60,924 households, and 49,835 families residing in the county. The population density
was 209 people per square mile (81/km²). There were 63,333 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.77% White
, 0.95% Black
or African American
, 0.41% Native American
, 2.51% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 1.43% from other races
, and 1.88% from two or more races. 5.06% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 60,924 households out of which 47.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% were married couples
living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 37.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $82,929, and the median income for a family was $88,482 (these figures had risen to $93,819 and $102,767 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $60,729 versus $38,965 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $34,848. About 1.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Douglas County had the highest median household income of any Colorado county or statistical equivalent in 2000. In 2008, it ranked #8 in the United States in that category - it was one of two in the top 15 not in the vicinity of New York
or Washington
.
, the third-largest school district in Colorado. In addition to traditional neighborhood schools, the district includes six charter schools, four option schools and an online school . Schools are rated generally high in the area.
The University Center at Chaparral in Parker offers courses through Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado Denver, University College of the University of Denver
, and the Douglas County School District. The University of Phoenix
has a campus in Lone Tree.
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...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
and Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. 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...
that the county population was 285,465 in 2010 census, a 62.4% increase since the 2000 census, making Douglas County one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Douglas County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area
thumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
. The county seat is Castle Rock
Castle Rock, Colorado
The Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States and is named for the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of...
, named after a prominent castle tower-shaped butte
Butte
A butte is a conspicuous isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; it is smaller than mesas, plateaus, and table landform tables. In some regions, such as the north central and northwestern United States, the word is used for any hill...
just north of the town.
Douglas County is lightly wooded, mostly with ponderosa pine
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
, with broken terrain characterized by mesas and small streams. Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek (Colorado)
Cherry Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, long, in Colorado in the United States.-Location:Cherry Creek rises in the high plateau, east of the Front Range, in northwestern El Paso County...
and Plum Creek rise in Douglas County and flow north toward Denver and into the South Platte River
South Platte River
The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska...
. Both were subject to flash flooding in the past, Plum Creek being partially responsible for the Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
flood of 1965. Cherry Creek is now dammed.
Most residents commute to workplaces elsewhere in the metropolitan area outside of the county. Suburban development is displacing the ranching economy of the county.
History
Douglas County was one of the original 17 counties created in the Colorado Territory by the Colorado Territorial Legislature on November 1, 1861. The county was named in honor of U.S. Senator Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, who died five months before the county was created. The county seat was originally Franktown
Franktown, Colorado
Franktown is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, in the United States. The population was 395 at the 2010 census. The Franktown Post Office has the ZIP Code 80116. Pike's Peak Grange No...
, but was moved to California Ranch in 1863, and then to Castle Rock in 1874. Although the county's boundaries originally extended eastward to the Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
state border, in 1874 most of the eastern portion of the county became part of Elbert County
Elbert County, Colorado
Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 842.75 square miles (2,182.7 km²), of which 840.11 square miles (2,175.9 km²) (or 99.69%) is land and 2.64 square miles (6.8 km²) (or 0.31%) is water.Adjacent Counties
- Jefferson County, ColoradoJefferson County, ColoradoJefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
- west - Arapahoe County, ColoradoArapahoe County, ColoradoAs of the census of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 608 people per square mile . There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 245 per square mile...
- north - Elbert County, ColoradoElbert County, ColoradoElbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa...
- east - El Paso County, ColoradoEl Paso County, ColoradoEl Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver...
- southeast - Teller County, ColoradoTeller County, ColoradoTeller County is the 22nd most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 20,555 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Cripple Creek, and the most populous city is Woodland Park...
- south
Douglas County has a comprehensive library system with a large local history section, the Douglas County History Research Center, at http://www.douglascountyhistory.org
Cities and towns
- AuroraAurora, ColoradoCity of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
(partially) - Castle Pines NorthCastle Pines North, ColoradoThe City of Castle Pines North is an incorporated Statutory City located in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The city is situated south-southeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Castle Pines North has an estimated population of about 9,500...
- Castle RockCastle Rock, ColoradoThe Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States and is named for the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of...
- LarkspurLarkspur, ColoradoThe Town of Larkspur is a Home Rule Municipality in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 234 at the 2000 census. Each year on weekends in June and July, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is held in the hills just west of the town...
- LittletonLittleton, ColoradoLittleton is a Home Rule Municipality contained in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area. Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County and the 20th most populous city in the state of...
(partially) - Lone TreeLone Tree, ColoradoLone Tree is a Home Rule Municipality in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,873 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lone Tree is located at . It is on the northern border of Douglas County, and directly adjacent to Arapahoe County...
- ParkerParker, ColoradoThe Town of Parker is a Home Rule Municipality in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. As a self-declared "Town" under the Home Rule Statutes, Parker is the 2nd most populous town in the county, behind Castle Rock. In recent years, Parker has become a commuter town at the southeasternmost...
Census-designated places
- Acres GreenAcres Green, ColoradoAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,205 people, 1,046 households, and 875 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5,168.2 people per square mile . There were 1,052 housing units at an average density of 1,696.4 per square mile...
- Carriage ClubCarriage Club, ColoradoCarriage Club is a former census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,002 at the 2000 census. The area has been annexed by the city of Lone Tree.-Geography:...
- Castle PinesCastle Pines, ColoradoCastle Pines is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 3,614 at the 2010 census.On November 6, 2007, the northern portion of the Castle Pines CDP was incorporated as the new City of Castle Pines North....
(includes most of Castle Pines NorthCastle Pines North, ColoradoThe City of Castle Pines North is an incorporated Statutory City located in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The city is situated south-southeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Castle Pines North has an estimated population of about 9,500...
) - CottonwoodCottonwood, ColoradoCottonwood is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 931 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place...
- FranktownFranktown, ColoradoFranktown is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, in the United States. The population was 395 at the 2010 census. The Franktown Post Office has the ZIP Code 80116. Pike's Peak Grange No...
- Grand View EstatesGrand View Estates, ColoradoGrand View Estates is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 528 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Grand View Estates is located at ....
- Heritage HillsHeritage Hills, ColoradoHeritage Hills is a former census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 658 at the 2000 census. The area has been annexed by the city of Lone Tree.-Geography:...
- Highlands RanchHighlands Ranch, ColoradoHighlands Ranch is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 96,713 at the 2010 census; it is one of the most populous unincorporated communities in the United States...
- LouviersLouviers, ColoradoLouviers is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census. The Louviers Post Office has the ZIP Code 80131.-Geography:Louviers is located at ....
- MeridianMeridian, ColoradoMeridian is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 184 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Meridian is located at ....
- Perry ParkPerry Park, ColoradoPerry Park is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,180 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Perry Park is located at ....
- Roxborough ParkRoxborough Park, ColoradoRoxborough Park is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,446 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Roxborough Park is located at ....
- SedaliaSedalia, ColoradoSedalia is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The CDP population was 211 at the 2000 census. The Sedalia Post Office has the ZIP Code 80135.-Geography:Sedalia is located at ....
- StonegateStonegate, ColoradoStonegate is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 6,284 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stonegate is located at ....
- The PineryThe Pinery, ColoradoThe Pinery is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 7,253 at the 2000 census.-Geography:The Pinery is located at ....
- WestcreekWestcreek, ColoradoWestcreek is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The population was 105 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Westcreek is located at ....
Other places
- Castle Pines VillageCastle Pines Village, ColoradoCastle Pines Village is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. Castle Pines Village is situated south-southeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The community surrounds the Castle Pines Golf Club and the Country Club at Castle Pines.-History:Castle Pines...
- DakanDakan, ColoradoDakan was a short-lived mining town, now a ghost town, in western Douglas County, Colorado, United States, in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.-History:...
- DeckersDeckers, ColoradoDeckers is an unincorporated town along the South Platte River in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. The U.S. Post Office at Sedalia now serves Deckers postal addresses.-Camp:...
- GreenlandGreenland, ColoradoGreenland is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Colorado, United States. Greenland is located off Exit 167 on Interstate 25. The largest nearby incorporated towns are Larkspur and Monument: Larkspur lies about 7 miles northeast and Monument about 13 miles south of the community. The U.S...
Parks and recreational areas
Three state parks fall within Douglas County, Castlewood Canyon State ParkCastlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a Colorado state park near Franktown, Colorado. The park protects a unique part of Colorado's history . Visitors can still see the remnants and damage from that dam which burst in 1933. The event sent a wave of water all the way to downtown Denver resulting in a flood...
, Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park is a state park located in Douglas and Jefferson counties of Colorado, United States.-Wildlife:Over three hundred bird species both migrant and resident frequent Chatfield...
and Roxborough State Park
Roxborough State Park
Roxborough State Park is a Colorado State Park known for dramatic red sandstone formations. Located in Douglas County south of Denver, Colorado, the park was established in 1975. In 1980 it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark.-Geography:...
. Parts of the county lie within the Pike National Forest
Pike National Forest
The Pike National Forest is located in the Front Range of Colorado, USA, west of Colorado Springs and including Pikes Peak. The forest encompasses 1,106,604 acres within Clear Creek, Teller, Park, Jefferson, Douglas and El Paso counties. The major rivers draining the forest are the South Platte...
and were crossed by the historic South Platte Trail.
Recreation trails in the county include:
- American Discovery TrailAmerican Discovery TrailThe American Discovery Trail is a coast-to-coast hiking and biking trail across the mid-tier of the United States. It starts on the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and ends on the northern California coast on the Pacific Ocean, and is signed on over of trail. This includes the doubled...
- Colorado TrailColorado TrailThe Colorado Trail is a long trail running from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. Its highest point is above sea level, and most of the trail is above...
- Devils Head National Recreation Trail
- Highline Canal National Recreation Trail
- Platte River Greenway National Recreation Trail
- Ridgeline Open Space TrailRidgeline Open SpaceRidgeline Open Space is a public park located within The Meadows neighborhood in Castle Rock, Colorado along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It sits at an elevation of and consists of of public land that has been designated for conservation and recreational use...
Recognition
Douglas County has been recognized by a number of national periodicals:- Money magazine ranked Douglas County No. 5 in the United States for “Job Growth over the Last Eight Years”. (Towns include Castle Rock, Parker, Stonegate, Lone Tree, and Highlands Ranch), 18 August 2009
- American City Business Journals (ACBJ) ranked Douglas County No. 4 in the nation for “Quality of Life,” May 2004
- SchoolDigger.com ranked Douglas County School DistrictDouglas County School District RE-1The Douglas County School District Re. 1 is a school district that serves Douglas County, Colorado. It is the third-largest school district in Colorado, serving more than 61,000 students with 70+ schools....
No.1 in the Denver Metropolitan Area and No.12 in Colorado based on 2009 test scores. (School district rankings were determined by averaging the rankings of individual schools within each of the 122 districts evaluated). Source: National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
, U.S. Dept of EducationUnited States Department of EducationThe United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, and Colorado Department of EducationColorado Department of EducationThe Colorado Department of Education is the state education agency of Colorado. It is headquartered in Denver....
.
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 175,766 people, 60,924 households, and 49,835 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 209 people per square mile (81/km²). There were 63,333 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.77% 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...
, 0.95% 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...
, 0.41% 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...
, 2.51% 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...
, 0.06% 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...
, 1.43% 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 1.88% from two or more races. 5.06% 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 60,924 households out of which 47.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.8% 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, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 37.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $82,929, and the median income for a family was $88,482 (these figures had risen to $93,819 and $102,767 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $60,729 versus $38,965 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 $34,848. About 1.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Douglas County had the highest median household income of any Colorado county or statistical equivalent in 2000. In 2008, it ranked #8 in the United States in that category - it was one of two in the top 15 not in the vicinity of New York
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
or Washington
Washington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
.
Education
Douglas County is served by Douglas County School District RE-1Douglas County School District RE-1
The Douglas County School District Re. 1 is a school district that serves Douglas County, Colorado. It is the third-largest school district in Colorado, serving more than 61,000 students with 70+ schools....
, the third-largest school district in Colorado. In addition to traditional neighborhood schools, the district includes six charter schools, four option schools and an online school . Schools are rated generally high in the area.
The University Center at Chaparral in Parker offers courses through Arapahoe Community College, University of Colorado Denver, University College of the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
, and the Douglas County School District. The University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
has a campus in Lone Tree.
Top employers
According to the County's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Douglas County School District RE-1 Douglas County School District RE-1 The Douglas County School District Re. 1 is a school district that serves Douglas County, Colorado. It is the third-largest school district in Colorado, serving more than 61,000 students with 70+ schools.... |
6,245 |
| 2 | EchoStar | 1,840 |
| 3 | CH2M HILL CH2M Hill CH2M Hill is an American-based global provider of engineering, construction, and operations services for corporations, nonprofits, and federal, state, and local governments. The firm is headquartered in Meridian, an unincorporated area of Douglas County, Colorado in the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan... |
1,600 |
| 4 | tw telecom | 1,100 |
| 5 | Western Union Western Union The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S... |
1,090 |
| 6 | Douglas County | 1,061 |
| 7 | HealthONE HealthONE Colorado HealthONE is the largest healthcare system in metro Denver area with 8,500 employees and 3,000 affiliated physicians. Named Colorado’s “Best Company for Working Families” .-Affiliated hospitals and medical centers:... : Sky Ridge Medical Center |
1,030 |
| 8 | Centura Health: Parker Adventist Hospitals | 840 |
| 9 | Liberty Media Liberty Media Liberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares.... |
730 |
| 10 | IHS IHS Inc. IHS Inc. is a publicly traded business information services company based in Douglas County, Colorado, United States.IHS serves international clients in five major areas: energy, product lifecycle, environment, security and TMT . IHS provides industry data, technical documents, custom software... |
700 |
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 metropolitan areasColorado metropolitan areasThe metropolitan areas of the State of Colorado include the urban statistical areas defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and regions of urban population defined by other organizations.-Census statistical areas:...
- 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:...
- Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaDenver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Areathumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
- Front Range Urban CorridorFront Range Urban CorridorThe Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, ColoradoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, ColoradoThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Colorado. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Douglas County, Colorado, United States...
External links
- Douglas County website Douglas County Website
- Douglas County School Information Douglas County Schools
- Douglas County Sheriff Department website
- YourHub.com/DouglasCounty
- Colorado Historical Society Colorado Historical Society
- Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
- Douglas County Library Douglas County Library
- Our Douglas County Colorado News and Events