Rio Blanco County, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rio Blanco County
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Entering the county from the south on State Highway 13.
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Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
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 Colorado's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Colorado |
| Founded | March 25, 1889 |
| Named for | White River |
| Seat | Meeker |
| Largest town | Meeker |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,223 sq mi (8,350 km2) |
| • Land | 3,221 sq mi (8,340 km2) |
| • Water | 1.9 sq mi (5 km2) 0.06% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,529 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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6,569 |
| • Density | 2.0/sq mi (0.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
Rio Blanco County (Spanish: Condado del Río Blanco) is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,529. The county seat is Meeker. The name of the county is the Spanish name for the White River which runs through it.
Contents
History
Rio Blanco County was created on March 25, 1889, when it was split from Garfield County. The town of Meeker became the county seat.
On May 17, 1973, Rio Blanco County became one of two counties in Colorado to have a peaceful nuclear explosion as a part of Operation Plowshare. There were three nearly simultaneous explosions targeted at producing unconventional natural gas, all detonated as Project Rio Blanco. The other county is Garfield County under Project Rulison.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,223 square miles (8,350 km2), of which 3,221 square miles (8,340 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.06%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Moffat County - north
- Routt County - northeast
- Garfield County - south
- Uintah County, Utah - west
Major highways
State Highway 13
State Highway 64
State Highway 139
National protected areas
- Routt National Forest
- White River National Forest
- Flat Tops Wilderness
Scenic byways
- Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway National Scenic Byway
- Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
State parks and wildlife areas
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 1,200 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,690 | 40.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,332 | 38.0% | |
| 1920 | 3,135 | 34.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,980 | −4.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,943 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 4,719 | 60.3% | |
| 1960 | 5,150 | 9.1% | |
| 1970 | 4,842 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,255 | 29.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,972 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,986 | 0.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,666 | 11.4% | |
| 2020 | 6,529 | −2.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 6,569 | −1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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At the 2000 census there were 5,986 people, 2,306 households, and 1,646 families living in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 2,855 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.01% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 2.02% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 4.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 2,306 households 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 8.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.
The age distribution was 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.60 males.
The median household income was $37,711 and the median family income was $44,425. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $19,940 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,344. About 6.70% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Rio Blanco County is home to Meeker School District RE-1 and Rangely School District RE-4, as well as Rangely Christian Academy, a private K-8 school.
The county is home to Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, as well as an extension of Colorado State University in Meeker.
Communities
Towns
Unincorporated communities
- Buford
- White River City
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Río Blanco para niños
