Hinsdale County, Colorado

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hinsdale County
U.S. county
The 1877 Hinsdale County Court House in Lake City, Colorado.
The 1877 Hinsdale County Court House in Lake City, Colorado.
Map of Colorado highlighting Hinsdale County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°49′N 107°17′W / 37.82°N 107.28°W / 37.82; -107.28
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 10, 1874
Named forGeorge A. Hinsdale
SeatLake City
Largest townLake City
Area
 • Total1,123 sq mi (2,910 km2)
 • Land1,117 sq mi (2,890 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.5%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2020)
788
 • Density0.7/sq mi (0.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.hinsdalecountycolorado.us
Bonanza-Empire Chief mine and mill, on the Alpine Loop. The mill ruins were stabilized in 2000 by the Bureau of Land Management and Hinsdale County Historical Society. In 2007–2008, the mill ruins were demolished by an avalanche.

Hinsdale County is one of the 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 788,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Colorado. With a population density of only 0.71 inhabitants per square mile (0.27/km2), it is also the least-densely populated county in Colorado. The county seat and only incorporated municipality in the county is Lake City.[2] The county is named for George A. Hinsdale,[3] a prominent pioneer and former Lieut. Governor of Colorado Territory.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,123 square miles (2,910 km2), of which 1,117 square miles (2,890 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

Hinsdale County is one of the most remote counties in Colorado and the United States. The county is covered by mountains, including multiple fourteeners, and contains one of the most roadless areas in the country.[5] The continental divide crosses the county twice. Most of the county is divided among several different national forests and the Weminuche Wilderness area.

Adjacent counties[]

  • Gunnison – north
  • Saguache – northeast
  • Mineral – east
  • Archuleta – southeast
  • La Plata – southwest
  • San Juan – west
  • Ouray – northwest

Major Highways[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18801,487—
1890862−42.0%
19001,60986.7%
1910646−59.9%
1920538−16.7%
1930449−16.5%
1940349−22.3%
1950263−24.6%
1960208−20.9%
1970202−2.9%
1980408102.0%
199046714.5%
200079069.2%
20108436.7%
2020788−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 790 people, 359 households, and 246 families living in the county. The population density was 0.7 people per square mile (0.3/km2). There were 1,304 housing units at an average density of 1.2 per square mile (0.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.34% White, 1.52% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 1.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 359 households, out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.6.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 34.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,279, and the median income for a family was $42,159. Males had a median income of $26,210 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,360. About 4.5% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[]

Republican presidential nominees have carried Hinsdale County since Franklin Delano Roosevelt defeated Alf Landon by eight votes in 1936. Along with Elbert County and Washington County it was one of three Colorado counties to vote for Barry Goldwater over Lyndon Johnson in 1964. In 2020, Joe Biden received the highest vote share for a Democrat since Johnson, and became the third Democrat since 1940 to breach 40% of the vote.

Presidential elections results

The last Democrat to carry Hinsdale County in a statewide election was John Hickenlooper in the 2010 gubernatorial contest,[11] and the only other case since at least 1980 have been Democratic senator Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell, who was later to shift to the Republican Party, in 1992, alongside popular Governor Roy Romer, who carried all but three counties statewide, in 1990.[12]

2020 County Wide Election Results [13][]

County Commissioner District 1
Candidates Votes Percentages
Henry E. Woods (D) 129 21.15%
Gregory Levine (I) 481 78.85%
Total 610 100.00%
County Commissioner District 3
Candidates Votes Percentages
Robert R. Hurd (R) 503 83.69%
Norman Ragle (I) 98 16.31%
Total 601 100.00%
Hinsdale County Sherriff
Candidates Votes Percentages
Christopher Kambish (R) 460 80.70%
Gabe McNeese (Write In) 110 19.30%
Total 570 100.00%

Recreation[]

National forests[]

National wilderness areas[]

Trails[]

Scenic byways[]

  • Alpine Loop National Scenic Back Country Byway

Communities[]

Capitol City, Colorado, a ghost town on the Alpine Loop National Scenic Back Country Byway. Capitol City once had a population of 400; its founders wanted it to become the capital of Colorado. The post office, some outbuildings, and brick kilns remain.

Town[]

Census-designated places[]

Ghost towns[]

[14]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 157.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ Tracy Staedter (May 3, 2007). "Roadless Space Uneven Across U.S." Discovery News. Archived from the original on May 6, 2007.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  11. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  12. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  13. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ghost Towns of Colorado- Hinsdale County". Ghost Towns. Retrieved June 21, 2020.

External links[]

Coordinates: 37°49′12″N 107°16′48″W / 37.82000°N 107.28000°W / 37.82000; -107.28000

Retrieved from ""