Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Chaffee County, Colorado

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Founded
  
February 10, 1879

Congressional district
  
5th

Website
  
www.chaffeecounty.org

Population
  
18,510 (2013)

Named for
  
Jerome B. Chaffee

Largest city
  
Salida

Time zone
  
Mountain: UTC-7/-6

Area
  
2,629 km²

County seat
  
Salida

Unemployment rate
  
4.1% (Apr 2015)

Chaffee County, Colorado chaffeecolostateeduimageshikejpg

Cities
  
Salida, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs

Points of interest
  
Browns Canyon National, Collegiate Peaks, Monarch Ski Area, Arkansas Headwaters Recreatio, Cottonwood Pass

Grizzly lake chaffee county colorado


Chaffee County is one of the 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,809. The county seat is Salida.

Contents

Map of Chaffee County, CO, USA

History

Chaffee County has a confusing origin. Between February 8 and February 10, 1879, Carbonate County was created by the Colorado legislature out of northern Lake County. On February 10 the two counties were renamed, with the southern part of Lake County becoming Chaffee County, and Carbonate County becoming Lake County. Chaffee County is known as the “Heart of the Rockies”. It was named for Jerome B. Chaffee, Colorado's first United States Senator.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,015 square miles (2,630 km2), of which 1,013 square miles (2,620 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.

National protected areas

  • Browns Canyon National Monument
  • Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
  • Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
  • San Isabel National Forest
  • Recreation area

  • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
  • Trails

  • American Discovery Trail
  • Colorado Trail
  • Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
  • Bicycle routes

  • Great Parks Bicycle Route
  • Western Express Bicycle Route
  • Adjacent counties

  • Lake County - north
  • Park County - northeast
  • Fremont County - southeast
  • Saguache County - south
  • Gunnison County - west
  • Pitkin County - northwest
  • Demographics

    As of the census of 2000, there were 16,242 people, 6,584 households, and 4,365 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 8,392 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.94% White, 1.58% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.21% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 8.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

    There were 6,584 households out of which 25.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.77.

    In the county, the population was spread out with 19.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 113.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.20 males.

    The median income for a household in the county was $34,368, and the median income for a family was $42,043. Males had a median income of $30,770 versus $22,219 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,430. About 7.40% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

    Chaffee County is also home to a source of water that Arrowhead water uses for some water bottles. The source is Ruby Mountain Springs.

    City

  • Salida
  • Towns

  • Buena Vista
  • Poncha Springs
  • Census-designated places

  • Garfield
  • Johnson Village
  • Maysville
  • Smeltertown
  • Ghost towns

  • Nathrop
  • St. Elmo
  • Vicksburg
  • Winfield
  • References

    Chaffee County, Colorado Wikipedia