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Washington County, Colorado

Coordinates: 39°59′N 103°12′W / 39.98°N 103.20°W / 39.98; -103.20
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Washington County
County
The old Washington County Courthouse in Akron
The old Washington County Courthouse in Akron
Map of Colorado highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°59′N 103°12′W / 39.98°N 103.2°W / 39.98; -103.2
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 9, 1887
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatAkron
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 
(2023)
4,855 Increase
 • Density1.9/sq mi (0.74/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewashingtoncounty.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.

History

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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

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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

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Major highways

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Trails and byways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,301—
19001,241−46.1%
19106,002383.6%
192011,20886.7%
19309,591−14.4%
19408,336−13.1%
19507,520−9.8%
19606,625−11.9%
19705,550−16.2%
19805,304−4.4%
19904,812−9.3%
20004,9262.4%
20104,814−2.3%
20204,8170.1%
2023 (est.)4,855[4]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[1]

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.[9] 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

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Towns

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Census Designated Place

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Unincorporated Communities

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Ghost Towns

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Politics

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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[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,436 86.81% 329 11.72% 41 1.46%
2020 2,595 86.27% 369 12.27% 44 1.46%
2016 2,299 84.12% 296 10.83% 138 5.05%
2012 2,076 80.12% 468 18.06% 47 1.81%
2008 1,949 77.56% 529 21.05% 35 1.39%
2004 2,050 81.03% 455 17.98% 25 0.99%
2000 1,878 76.81% 477 19.51% 90 3.68%
1996 1,566 64.18% 649 26.60% 225 9.22%
1992 1,266 48.45% 660 25.26% 687 26.29%
1988 1,707 62.87% 958 35.29% 50 1.84%
1984 2,080 77.50% 568 21.16% 36 1.34%
1980 2,007 71.40% 568 20.21% 236 8.40%
1976 1,440 52.63% 1,211 44.26% 85 3.11%
1972 1,837 69.87% 643 24.46% 149 5.67%
1968 1,634 60.92% 694 25.88% 354 13.20%
1964 1,434 51.60% 1,341 48.25% 4 0.14%
1960 1,979 65.49% 1,039 34.38% 4 0.13%
1956 2,020 65.20% 1,067 34.44% 11 0.36%
1952 2,398 69.65% 1,009 29.31% 36 1.05%
1948 1,636 55.31% 1,304 44.08% 18 0.61%
1944 2,259 67.88% 1,058 31.79% 11 0.33%
1940 2,390 62.63% 1,403 36.77% 23 0.60%
1936 1,723 44.34% 2,071 53.29% 92 2.37%
1932 1,385 35.39% 2,378 60.77% 150 3.83%
1928 2,132 69.99% 851 27.94% 63 2.07%
1924 1,851 54.27% 720 21.11% 840 24.63%
1920 2,117 63.44% 1,060 31.77% 160 4.79%
1916 989 34.13% 1,748 60.32% 161 5.56%
1912 361 18.34% 765 38.87% 842 42.78%
1908 599 57.10% 424 40.42% 26 2.48%
1904 460 66.47% 191 27.60% 41 5.92%
1900 312 59.77% 191 36.59% 19 3.64%
1896 222 53.75% 177 42.86% 14 3.39%
1892 250 62.97% 0 0.00% 147 37.03%
1888 810 59.12% 505 36.86% 55 4.01%

In other statewide elections, Washington County also leans Republican, although the county was carried by Democrat Roy Romer by a narrow margin in 1990[11] – when he carried all but three counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982[12] and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010.[13]

Education

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There are 5 school districts in Washington County:[14]

  • Akron R-1
  • Arickaree R-2
  • Lone Star 101
  • Otis R-3
  • Woodlin R-104.

Akron R-1 includes:[15]

  • Akron High School

Arickaree R-2 includes:[16]

  • Arickaree School (all grades K-12)

Lone Star 101 includes:[17]

  • Lone Star School (all grades K-12)

Otis R-3 includes:[18]

  • Otis Elementary School
  • Otis Jr.-Sr. High School

See also

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Note

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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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  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. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1960 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Colorado (and subsequent years)
  11. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  12. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1980 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  13. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ School, Akron High. "Contacts". Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  16. ^ School, Arickaree. "Home of the Indians". Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  17. ^ School, Lone Star. "Lone Star School » About". Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  18. ^ 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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39°59′N 103°12′W / 39.98°N 103.20°W / 39.98; -103.20

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