Routt County, Colorado

Routt County is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,509. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.

Routt County comprises the Steamboat Springs, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Placer gold was found near Hahn's Peak in 1864 as part of the Colorado Gold Rush.

Routt County was created out of the western portion of Grand County on January 29, 1877. It was named in honor of John Long Routt, the last territorial and first state governor of Colorado. The western portion of Routt County was split off to form Moffat County on February 27, 1911.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,368 square miles (6,130 km²), of which 2,362 square miles (6,120 km²) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Carbon County, Wyoming - north
• Jackson County - east
• Grand County - southeast
• Eagle County - south
• Garfield County - south-southwest
• Rio Blanco County - southwest
• Moffat County - west

National protected areas

• Mount Zirkel Wilderness
• Routt National Forest
• Sarvis Creek Wilderness
• White River National Forest

State protected areas

• Pearl Lake State Park
• Stagecoach State Park
• Steamboat Lake State Park
• Yampa River State Park

Trails and byways

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail
• Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
• Great Parks Bicycle Route
• Swamp Park National Recreation Trail

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	140		—
1890	2,369		1,592.1%
1900	3,661		54.5%
1910	7,561		106.5%
1920	8,948		18.3%
1930	9,352		4.5%
1940	10,525		12.5%
1950	8,940		−15.1%
1960	5,900		−34.0%
1970	6,592		11.7%
1980	13,404		103.3%
1990	14,088		5.1%
2000	19,690		39.8%
2010	23,509		19.4%
Est. 2014	23,865		1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2014

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,690 people, 7,953 households, and 4,779 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 11,217 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.90% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 3.22% of the population were Hispanic Latino of any race.

There were 7,953 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.90% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 36.50% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 5.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 116.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $53,612, and the median income for a family was $61,927. Males had a median income of $36,997 versus $26,576 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,792. About 2.80% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.20% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

• Clark, Colorado
• Hayden
• Oak Creek
• Steamboat Springs
• Yampa
• Phippsburg
• Toponas

See also

• Outline of Colorado
• Index of Colorado-related articles
• Colorado counties
• Colorado municipalities
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Routt County, Colorado

External links

• Routt County Government website
• Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
• Colorado Historical Society