Basalt, Colorado

Last updated
Basalt, Colorado
Basalt Mountain.JPG
Downtown Basalt with Basalt Mountain in the background
Nickname: 
"The Heart of the Roaring Fork Valley"
Eagle County and Pitkin County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Basalt Highlighted 0804935.svg
Location of the Town of Basalt in Eagle and Pitkin counties, Colorado.
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Basalt
Location of the Town of Basalt in the United States.
Coordinates: 39°21′29″N107°01′07″W / 39.358174°N 107.018557°W / 39.358174; -107.018557 Coordinates: 39°21′29″N107°01′07″W / 39.358174°N 107.018557°W / 39.358174; -107.018557 [2]
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Colorado.svg  Colorado
Counties Eagle County [1]
Pitkin County
Incorporated August 26, 1901 [3]
Government
  Type Home rule municipality [1]
  MayorBill Kane
Area
[4]
  Total1.999 sq mi (5.178 km2)
  Land1.992 sq mi (5.158 km2)
  Water0.008 sq mi (0.020 km2)
Elevation
[5]
6,611 ft (2,015 m)
Population
 (2020) [4]
  Total3,984
  Density2,000/sq mi (800/km2)
   CSA
134,774
Time zone UTC−07:00 (MST)
  Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)
ZIP code
81621 [6]
Area code 970
FIPS code 08-04935
GNIS feature ID0175038
Highways Colorado 2.svg SH 82
Colorado 82.svg SH 82
Website www.basalt.net

Basalt is a home rule municipality located in Eagle and Pitkin counties, Colorado, United States. [7] The town population was 3,984 at the 2020 United States Census with 2,917 residing in Eagle County and 1,067 residing in Pitkin County. [4] Basalt is a part of the Edwards-Glenwood Springs, CO Combined Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Basalt was first named Aspen Junction after the railroad junction which led to present day Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Junction was a territory serving Aspen to Leadville Mining towns, with the Railroad Junction, also going West and South to Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. It was first served by the Colorado Midland Railroad, it was later bought out in 1901 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. [8] [9]

The town was named for the basaltic rock formation on Basalt Mountain, and began as a railroad town. [10] The town was incorporated in 1901.

Geography

Basalt is located along State Highway 82, and at the confluence of the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers.

At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of 1,280 acres (5.178 km2) including 4.9 acres (0.020 km2) of water. [4]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1900 382
1910 235−38.5%
1920 185−21.3%
1930 148−20.0%
1940 21243.2%
1950 173−18.4%
1960 21323.1%
1970 41996.7%
1980 52926.3%
1990 1,128113.2%
2000 2,681137.7%
2010 3,85743.9%
2020 3,9843.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census [11] of 2000, there were 2,681 people, 1,052 households, and 637 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,394.8 inhabitants per square mile (538.5/km2). There were 1,218 housing units at an average density of 633.7 per square mile (244.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 91.53% White, 0.48% African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.77% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.75% of the population.

There were 1,052 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 42.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $67,200, and the median income for a family was $73,375. Males had a median income of $40,791 versus $30,532 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,746. About 4.9% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism

Ruedi Reservoir in July. Ruedi Reservoir.jpg
Ruedi Reservoir in July.

Basalt is well known for its Gold Medal trout fishing in the Frying Pan River. Ruedi Reservoir is also a popular regional destination for boating and other watersports. Basalt is a hub for mountain biking in the Roaring Fork valley. There are a dozen world class cross country trails as well as lift-accessed downhilling within 15 miles of Basalt, both up and down the valley.

Transportation

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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  2. "2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Places". United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
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  4. 1 2 3 4 "Decennial Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data". United States Census Bureau, United States Department of Commerce. August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. August 19, 2007. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on 18 August 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
  7. "Active Colorado Municipalities | Colorado Department of Local Affairs". dola.colorado.gov. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  8. "History of Basalt | Basalt, CO - Official Website". www.basalt.net. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  9. "History of Basalt, Colorado". Basalt Mountain Inn. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  10. "Welcome to Basalt, Colorado". Town of Basalt. Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.