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Grand County, Colorado facts for kids

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Grand County
The Grand County Judicial Center in Hot Sulphur Springs, July 2016
The Grand County Judicial Center in Hot Sulphur Springs, July 2016
Official seal of Grand County
Seal
Map of Colorado highlighting Grand County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Colorado
Founded February 2, 1874
Named for Grand Lake and Grand River
Seat Hot Sulphur Springs
Largest town Granby
Area
 • Total 1,870 sq mi (4,800 km2)
 • Land 1,846 sq mi (4,780 km2)
 • Water 23 sq mi (60 km2)  1.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
15,717
 • Density 8.5/sq mi (3.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Drive entrance to Grand Lake Lodge, Grand Lake, CO IMG 5383
Scenic vehicle entrance to Grand Lake Lodge (established 1919), included on the National Register of Historic Places

Grand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,717. The county seat is Hot Sulphur Springs.

History

When Grand County was created February 2, 1874 it was carved out of Summit County and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is now in present-day Moffat County and Routt County. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River, an old name for the upper Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the county. On January 29, 1877 Routt County was created and Grand County shrunk down to its current western boundary. When valuable minerals were found in North Park, Grand County claimed the area as part of its county, a claim Larimer County also held. It took a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1886 to declare North Park part of Larimer County, setting Grand County's northern boundary.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,870 square miles (4,800 km2), of which 1,846 square miles (4,780 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (1.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

  • Arapaho National Forest
  • Arapaho National Recreation Area
  • Byers Peak Wilderness
  • Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
  • Indian Peaks Wilderness
  • Never Summer Wilderness
  • Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Routt National Forest
  • Sarvis Creek Wilderness
  • Vasquez Peak Wilderness

Bicycle routes

Scenic byways

  • Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway
  • Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 12,442 people in 5,075 households, including 3,217 families, in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km2). There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.15% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of German, 12.6% Irish, 10.0% English and 7.3% American ancestry. Of the 5,075 households 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 4.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.

The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.70 males.

The median household income was $47,759 and the median family income was $55,217. Males had a median income of $34,861 versus $26,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,198. About 5.40% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley in eastern Grand County is a key tourist area.

Census-designated places

Other

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Grand (Colorado) para niños

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