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Grand County, Colorado

Coordinates: 40°06′N 106°07′W / 40.10°N 106.12°W / 40.10; -106.12
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This article is about the county in Colorado. For the other county of the same name in Utah, see Grand County, Utah.

Grand County
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.
Coordinates: 40°06′N 106°07′W / 40.10°N 106.12°W / 40.10; -106.12
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 2, 1874
Named forGrand Lake and Grand River
SeatHot Sulphur Springs
Largest townGranby
Area
 • Total1,870 sq mi (4,800 km2)
 • Land1,846 sq mi (4,780 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total15,717
 • Density8.5/sq mi (3.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteco.grand.co.us
Whiteley Peak along U.S. Highway 40 north of Kremmling

Grand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,717.[1] The county seat is Hot Sulphur Springs.[2]

History

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When Grand County was created on February 2, 1874, it was carved out of Summit County and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is in present-day Moffat County and Routt County. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River,[3] 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.

In 2004, Marvin John Heemeyer, a local businessman from Granby, used a modified bulldozer to destroy parts of the town of Granby. This was after Heemeyer lawsuit against the town alleging the government ruined his business was dismissed.[4] His attack ended when one of the bulldozer tracks became inoperable and he committed suicide.

Geography

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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.[5]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Bicycle routes

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Scenic byways

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880417—
189060444.8%
190074122.7%
19101,862151.3%
19202,65942.8%
19302,108−20.7%
19403,58770.2%
19503,96310.5%
19603,557−10.2%
19704,10715.5%
19807,47582.0%
19907,9666.6%
200012,44256.2%
201014,84319.3%
202015,7175.9%
2023 (est.)15,935[6]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

Demographics

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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 (2.7 people/km2). There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/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.[11] 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.

Politics

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Unlike many counties dominated by a ski town, Grand County leans Republican. However, the town of Winter Park, where the Winter Park Ski Resort is located, is solidly Democratic.

United States presidential election results for Grand County, Colorado[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,883 49.47% 4,710 47.72% 277 2.81%
2016 4,494 52.33% 3,358 39.10% 736 8.57%
2012 4,253 51.95% 3,684 45.00% 250 3.05%
2008 4,128 49.68% 4,037 48.59% 144 1.73%
2004 4,260 55.99% 3,243 42.62% 106 1.39%
2000 3,570 56.19% 2,308 36.33% 475 7.48%
1996 2,264 46.30% 2,012 41.15% 614 12.56%
1992 1,763 35.85% 1,678 34.12% 1,477 30.03%
1988 2,306 60.08% 1,451 37.81% 81 2.11%
1984 2,865 72.72% 1,017 25.81% 58 1.47%
1980 2,133 61.28% 820 23.56% 528 15.17%
1976 1,703 61.77% 910 33.01% 144 5.22%
1972 1,721 69.93% 685 27.83% 55 2.23%
1968 1,167 67.38% 433 25.00% 132 7.62%
1964 814 47.22% 902 52.32% 8 0.46%
1960 1,104 62.62% 657 37.27% 2 0.11%
1956 1,239 71.33% 496 28.55% 2 0.12%
1952 1,333 70.34% 554 29.23% 8 0.42%
1948 777 49.74% 763 48.85% 22 1.41%
1944 968 63.52% 554 36.35% 2 0.13%
1940 1,074 55.19% 863 44.35% 9 0.46%
1936 714 45.54% 846 53.95% 8 0.51%
1932 598 42.87% 771 55.27% 26 1.86%
1928 770 62.15% 451 36.40% 18 1.45%
1924 681 54.31% 308 24.56% 265 21.13%
1920 649 52.51% 553 44.74% 34 2.75%
1916 378 37.17% 624 61.36% 15 1.47%
1912 248 25.78% 507 52.70% 207 21.52%
1908 529 51.31% 487 47.24% 15 1.45%
1904 475 63.16% 266 35.37% 11 1.46%
1900 171 48.17% 182 51.27% 2 0.56%
1896 12 4.53% 251 94.72% 2 0.75%
1892 104 43.70% 0 0.00% 134 56.30%
1888 162 64.80% 83 33.20% 5 2.00%
1884 249 58.18% 174 40.65% 5 1.17%
1880 121 57.08% 87 41.04% 4 1.89%

Communities

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

Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ 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. 141.
  4. ^ "Marvin Heemeyer Wanted Revenge — So He Built A 'Killdozer'". February 8, 2022.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
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