Washington County, Colorado

History

Colorado State Legislature made Washington County out of larger Weld County in 1887. In 1889, Washington County's eastern half formed Yuma County. In 1903, Arapahoe County ceded its eastern portion to Washington County to create its present form.

Like many counties in Eastern Colorado, The Great Depression affected Washington County, bringing its population down significantly. Recently growth has been stagnant.

Washington County's Eastern Colorado Roundup is home to Colorado's first home-owned carnival held on every July annually. There are activities such as rodeos, various rides, and animals to see.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2524 sqmi, of which 2518 sqmi is land and 5.9 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Logan County - northeast
• Yuma County - east
• Kit Carson County - southeast
• Lincoln County - southwest
• Adams County - west
• Arapahoe County - west
• Morgan County - northwest

Major highways

• [[File:I-76 (CO).svg|20px]] Interstate 76
• [[File:US 34.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 34
• [[File:US 36.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 36
• [[File:Colorado 59.svg|20px]] State Highway 59
• [[File:Colorado 61.svg|20px]] State Highway 61
• [[File:Colorado 63.svg|20px]] State Highway 63
• [[File:Colorado 71.svg|20px]] State Highway 71

Trails and byways

• American Discovery Trail
• South Platte Trail

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 4,817. Of the residents, 22.7% were under the age of 18 and 21.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females there were 110.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.6 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.3% from some other race, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.7% of the population.

There were 1,933 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,276 housing units, of which 15.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.8% were owner-occupied and 26.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.5%.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 4,926 people in 1,989 households, including 1,408 families, in the county. The population density was 2 /mi2. There were 2,307 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White, 0.04% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,989 households 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.20% of households were one person and 11.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.

The median household income was $32,431 and the median family income was $37,287. Males had a median income of $26,225 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,788. About 8.60% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

• Akron
• Otis

Census-designated places

• Cope

Unincorporated communities

• Anton
• Last Chance
• Lindon
• Platner
• Rago
• Thurman
• Woodrow

Ghost towns

• Messex
• Pinneo

Politics

Like all of the High Plains, Washington is a powerfully Republican county in Presidential elections. Among Colorado counties only Washington, Elbert and Hinsdale were carried by Barry Goldwater in 1964, and no Democratic presidential nominee has carried Washington County since Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936. The last five Republican presidential candidates have all obtained over 75 percent of Washington County's vote.

In other statewide elections, Washington County also leans Republican, although the county was carried by Democrat Roy Romer by a narrow margin in 1990 – when he carried all but three counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982 and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010.

Education

There are 5 school districts in Washington County:

• Akron R-1
• Arickaree R-2
• Lone Star 101
• Otis R-3
• Woodlin R-104.

Akron R-1 includes:

• Akron High School

Arickaree R-2 includes:

• Arickaree School (all grades K-12)

Lone Star 101 includes:

• Lone Star School (all grades K-12)

Otis R-3 includes:

• Otis Elementary School
• Otis Jr.-Sr. High School

Note

References

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
9. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
10. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
12. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
13. Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/datagraph.php?year=1960&fips=8&f=0&off=0&elect=0 1960 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Colorado] (and subsequent years)
14. Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1990&fips=8&f=1&off=5&elect=0 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado]
15. Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1982&fips=8&f=1&off=5&elect=0 1980 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado]
16. Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2010&fips=8&f=1&off=5&elect=0 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado]
17. Education, Colorado Department of. (2008–2009). "2008-2009 Colorado Education & Library Directory".
18. School, Akron High. "Contacts".
19. School, Arickaree. "Home of the Indians".
20. School, Lone Star. "Lone Star School » About".
21. School District R-3, Otis. (September 2004). "Otis School District R-3 - Schools".