Huerfano County, Colorado

Huerfano County, Colorado
Location in the state of Colorado
Colorado's location in the U.S.
Founded	November 1, 1861
Named for	Huerfano Butte
Seat	Walsenburg
Largest city	Walsenburg
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,593.24 sq mi (4,126 km²) 1,590.87 sq mi (4,120 km²) 2.38 sq mi (6 km²), 0.15%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	7,862 5/sq mi (2/km²)
Time zone	Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website	www.huerfano.us

Bighorn sheep ewes with the West Spanish Peak, Huerfano County

Huerfano County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the Huerfano Butte, a local landmark. The county population was 7,862 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Walsenburg.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1,593.24 square miles (4,126.5 km²), of which 1,590.87 square miles (4,120.3 km²) (or 99.85%) is land and 2.38 square miles (6.2 km²) (or 0.15%) is water on the Heurfano Mesa.

Adjacent counties

• Pueblo County, Colorado - northeast
• Las Animas County, Colorado - southeast
• Costilla County, Colorado - southwest
• Alamosa County, Colorado - west
• Custer County, Colorado - northwest
• Saguache County, Colorado - northwest

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,862 people, 3,082 households, and 1,920 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 4,599 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.96% White, 2.75% Black or African American, 2.70% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.41% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. 35.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,082 households out of which 25.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.40% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 32.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 27.40% 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 118.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,775, and the median income for a family was $32,664. Males had a median income of $24,209 versus $21,048 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,242. About 14.10% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Badito
• Calumet
• Cuchara
• Farista
• Gardner
• La Veta
• Navajo Ranch
• Walsenburg

Park, forest, and wilderness

Eastern Sangre de Cristo Range, Huerfano County

• Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness
• Lathrop State Park
• San Isabel National Forest
• Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
• Spanish Peaks Wilderness

Scenic byway

• Highway of Legends Scenic Byway

See also

• Colorado census statistical areas
• Colorado counties
• Colorado municipalities
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Huerfano County, Colorado

External links

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