Washington County, Colorado

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Washington County, Colorado
County
Washington County Court House (Colorado).JPG
The old Washington County Courthouse in Akron
Map of Colorado highlighting Washington County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 39°59′N103°12′W / 39.98°N 103.20°W / 39.98; -103.20
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Colorado.svg Colorado
FoundedFebruary 9, 1887
Named after George Washington
Seat Akron
Largest townAkron
Area
 • Total
2,524 sq mi (6,540 km2)
 • Land2,518 sq mi (6,520 km2)
 • Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,817
 • Estimate 
(2024)
4,771 Decrease2.svg
 • Density1.913/sq mi (0.7386/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 4th
Website washingtoncounty.colorado.gov

Washington County is a county located in the eastern side of the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,817, making it the least populous "Washington County" in the United States. [1] [ failed verification ] The county seat is Akron. [2] The county was named in honor of the United States President George Washington.

Contents

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 2,524 square miles (6,540 km2), of which 2,518 square miles (6,520 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.2%) is water. [3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Trails and byways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890 2,301—
1900 1,241−46.1%
1910 6,002383.6%
1920 11,20886.7%
1930 9,591−14.4%
1940 8,336−13.1%
1950 7,520−9.8%
1960 6,625−11.9%
1970 5,550−16.2%
1980 5,304−4.4%
1990 4,812−9.3%
2000 4,9262.4%
2010 4,814−2.3%
2020 4,8170.1%
2024 (est.)4,771 [4] −1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]
1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7]
1990–2000 [8] 2010–2020 [1]

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. [9] [10] [11]

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. [11]

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. [10]

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%. [10]

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 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 2,307 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). 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. [12] 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

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

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.

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Colorado [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1888 81059.12%50536.86%554.01%
1892 25062.97%00.00%14737.03%
1896 22253.75%17742.86%143.39%
1900 31259.77%19136.59%193.64%
1904 46066.47%19127.60%415.92%
1908 59957.10%42440.42%262.48%
1912 36118.34%76538.87%84242.78%
1916 98934.13%1,74860.32%1615.56%
1920 2,11763.44%1,06031.77%1604.79%
1924 1,85154.27%72021.11%84024.63%
1928 2,13269.99%85127.94%632.07%
1932 1,38535.39%2,37860.77%1503.83%
1936 1,72344.34%2,07153.29%922.37%
1940 2,39062.63%1,40336.77%230.60%
1944 2,25967.88%1,05831.79%110.33%
1948 1,63655.31%1,30444.08%180.61%
1952 2,39869.65%1,00929.31%361.05%
1956 2,02065.20%1,06734.44%110.36%
1960 1,97965.49%1,03934.38%40.13%
1964 1,43451.60%1,34148.25%40.14%
1968 1,63460.92%69425.88%35413.20%
1972 1,83769.87%64324.46%1495.67%
1976 1,44052.63%1,21144.26%853.11%
1980 2,00771.40%56820.21%2368.40%
1984 2,08077.50%56821.16%361.34%
1988 1,70762.87%95835.29%501.84%
1992 1,26648.45%66025.26%68726.29%
1996 1,56664.18%64926.60%2259.22%
2000 1,87876.81%47719.51%903.68%
2004 2,05081.03%45517.98%250.99%
2008 1,94977.56%52921.05%351.39%
2012 2,07680.12%46818.06%471.81%
2016 2,29984.12%29610.83%1385.05%
2020 2,59586.27%36912.27%441.46%
2024 2,43686.81%32911.72%411.46%

In other statewide elections, Washington County also leans Republican, although the county was carried by Democrat Roy Romer by a narrow margin in 1990 [14] – when he carried all but three counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982 [15] and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010. [16]

Education

There are 5 school districts in Washington County: [17]

Akron R-1 includes: [18]

Arickaree R-2 includes: [19]

Lone Star 101 includes: [20]

Otis R-3 includes: [21]

See also

Note

    References

    1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
    2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
    4. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
    5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
    6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
    7. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
    8. ↑ "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 11, 2014.
    9. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    10. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    11. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
    13. ↑ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1960 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Colorado (and subsequent years)
    14. ↑ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    15. ↑ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1980 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    16. ↑ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    17. ↑ Education, Colorado Department of (2008–2009). "2008-2009 Colorado Education & Library Directory" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 3, 2003. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
    18. ↑ School, Akron High. "Contacts" . Retrieved May 26, 2009.
    19. ↑ School, Arickaree. "Home of the Indians" . Retrieved May 26, 2009.
    20. ↑ School, Lone Star. "Lone Star School » About" . Retrieved May 26, 2009.
    21. ↑ School District R-3, Otis (September 2004). "Otis School District R-3 - Schools". Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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