Eaton, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eaton, Colorado
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| Town of Eaton | |
Barn in Eaton, Colorado
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Location of the Town of Eaton in Weld County, Colorado.
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 Eaton, Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| County | Weld County |
| Incorporated (town) | December 5, 1892 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Statutory Town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.160 sq mi (8.185 km2) |
| • Land | 3.160 sq mi (8.185 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.000 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,839 ft (1,475 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,802 |
| • Density | 1,836/sq mi (709/km2) |
| • Metro | 328,981 (156th) |
| • CSA | 3,623,560 (17th) |
| • Front Range | 5,055,344 |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| ZIP Code |
80615
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| Area code(s) | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-22860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0204691 |
The Town of Eaton is a small town located in Weld County, Colorado, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,802 people lived there. This was a big jump of over 32% from 2010! Eaton is part of the larger Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also part of the Front Range Urban Corridor, which is a busy area in Colorado.
Contents
History of Eaton
How Eaton Got Its Name
The town of Eaton is named after Benjamin Harrison Eaton. He was a very important person who helped bring water to dry farmlands. In the late 1800s, he led efforts to build irrigation systems. These systems moved water from the nearby Rocky Mountains to the dry plains east of Colorado's Front Range. Thanks to his work, this area became a successful farming region. Even today, much of the farming around Eaton still uses these irrigation systems.
Benjamin Eaton later became the Governor of Colorado from 1885 to 1887. The town of Eaton was officially formed in 1892.
From Eatonton to Eaton
The town was first called Eatonton. This was to avoid confusion with another post office called Easton in El Paso County. When Easton changed its name to Eastonville, the last part of "Eatonton" was removed. That's how the town became known simply as Eaton.
Early Settlers and Incorporation
The first people began to settle in Eaton around 1880. Many of them worked on building the irrigation ditches that went from Eaton to Greeley.
On September 28, 1892, 36 residents, including Benjamin Eaton, asked the county judge to make Eaton an official town. The judge then held an election. All 50 votes cast were in favor of making Eaton an official town. So, Eaton officially became a town on October 27, 1892.
Geography of Eaton
Where is Eaton Located?
Eaton is located at 40°31′46″N 104°42′47″W. It sits along the main railway line that connects Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. This line is part of the Union Pacific Railroad. The town is also on U.S. Route 85, which is a major highway. It's about 7 miles north of Greeley, Colorado.
Size of the Town
According to the 2020 United States Census, the town covers a total area of about 8.185 square kilometers (which is about 2,023 acres). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water.
Population Changes in Eaton
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 384 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,157 | 201.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,289 | 11.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,221 | −5.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,322 | 8.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,276 | −3.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,267 | −0.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,389 | 9.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,932 | 39.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,959 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,690 | 37.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,365 | 62.3% | |
| 2020 | 5,802 | 32.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Eaton has grown quite a lot over the years. In 1900, there were only 384 people living there. By 2020, the population had grown to 5,802 people. This chart shows how the population has changed over time.
Famous People from Eaton
Eaton is proud to be the hometown of two active players in the National Football League (NFL)!
- Austin Ekeler: He is a running back for the Washington Commanders. Austin played high school football for the Fightin' Reds at Eaton High School.
- Trent Sieg: He is a long snapper for the Las Vegas Raiders. Trent also played high school football for the Fightin' Reds at Eaton High.
See also
In Spanish: Eaton (Colorado) para niños
