Blanca, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blanca, Colorado
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Main Street, looking west
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Location of the Town of Blanca in Costilla County, Colorado.
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 Blanca, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Costilla County |
| Incorporated (town) | September 7, 1900 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.833 sq mi (4.747 km2) |
| • Land | 1.833 sq mi (4.747 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.000 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,763 ft (2,366 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 322 |
| • Density | 176/sq mi (68/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
81123
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| Area code(s) | 719 |
| FIPS code | 08-07190 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411696 |
Blanca is a small town in Costilla County, Colorado, in the United States. It's located in a huge area called the San Luis Valley. In 2020, about 322 people lived there.
Contents
Blanca's History
The first post office in Blanca, Colorado, opened on October 5, 1894. The town gets its name from Blanca Peak, a very tall mountain nearby.
A special event called a land lottery in August 1908 helped the town grow. Blanca officially became a town on May 18, 1910. In the mid-1990s, some Polish families moved to Blanca. They opened a store selling European foods and drinks. Blanca is also known for its bilberry syrup, and it's a popular spot for elk hunting and fishing for trout in the mountains.
Where is Blanca?
Blanca is located in the eastern part of the San Luis Valley in northern Costilla County. The town is right along U.S. Route 160. It's about 20 miles (32 km) east of Alamosa and 52 miles (84 km) west of Walsenburg.
According to the 2020 United States Census, the town covers an area of about 1.83 square miles (4.747 km²). All of this area is land.
Blanca's Climate
The weather in Blanca is generally cool and dry. Each year, there are about 107 days without frost. Temperatures can range from very cold, around -30°F (-34°C), to warm, up to 85°F (29°C). The town receives only about 7 inches (18 cm) of rain each year.
Local Nature and Wildlife
In areas that aren't watered by people, you can find sand dunes with tough plants. These include greasewood, rubber rabbitbrush, salt grass, sandhill muhly, and sand dropseed. There are also dry lake beds, called playas, mixed in with the dunes.
Northwest of Blanca is the Blanca Wetlands. This area is very important for nature and is protected. The wetlands get water from underground sources through the Closed Basin Project, which helps send water to the Rio Grande river.
Who Lives in Blanca?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 380 | — | |
| 1930 | 252 | −33.7% | |
| 1940 | 407 | 61.5% | |
| 1950 | 376 | −7.6% | |
| 1960 | 233 | −38.0% | |
| 1970 | 212 | −9.0% | |
| 1980 | 252 | 18.9% | |
| 1990 | 272 | 7.9% | |
| 2000 | 391 | 43.8% | |
| 2010 | 385 | −1.5% | |
| 2020 | 322 | −16.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the census in 2000, there were 391 people living in Blanca. The town had 142 households and 105 families. The population density was about 220 people per square mile (85 people per km²).
Many people in Blanca are of Hispanic or Latino background, making up about 67% of the population in 2000. The average age in the town was 37 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Blanca (Colorado) para niños
