Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is a town in Summit County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,408 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Summit CountyTemplate:GR. Breckenridge is also a popular ski resort during the winter months, servicing multi-difficulty ski slopes on the Rocky Mountains. In the summer, the town turns into an outdoor lover's paradise with great hiking trails, beautiful wildflowers to see, fly-fishing in the Blue River, and nearby Lake Dillon for boating.

The name Breckenridge

Early in its history, the town wanted a post office. The townspeople decided to name their town after the United States' Vice President at the time, John C. Breckinridge. This worked, and Breckinridge got a post office. When civil war broke out in 1861 Breckinridge sided with the Confederates and pro-Union citizens of Breckinridge wanted to change the name. The i was changed to an e, and it has been Breckenridge ever since.

Geography

Location of Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is located at 39°29′11″N 106°2′37″W (39.486445, -106.043516)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.8 km² (4.9 mi²), all land.

The elevation of Breckenridge is 9,600 feet (above sea level).

Climate

The climate of Breckenridge is mountain. The average July high is 75°F and the average January low is 0°F degrees[1]. The record high is 89°F set in July, 2003; the record low is -55°F set in January, 1962 [2]. The city receives over 300 inches of snowfall per year[3] so combining with the cold winter temps, the snow stays on the ground for 6 months of the year.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,408 people, 1,081 households, and 380 families residing in the town. The population density was 187.8/km² (486.4/mi²). There were 4,270 housing units at an average density of 333.1/km² (862.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.56% White, 0.37% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.44% of the population.

There were 1,081 households out of which 13.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.9% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 64.8% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 0.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the town the population was spread out with 11.1% under the age of 18, 22.8% from 18 to 24, 45.3% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 2.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 160.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 164.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,938, and the median income for a family was $52,212. Males had a median income of $29,571 versus $27,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,675. About 5.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Breckenridge is also a very expensive location to live, with an average single family home price of $575,000 in 2001 [4].

External links and references

• Breckenridge, Colorado Official Tourism Web Site
• Government website
• breckenridge.snow.com
• Ski Breckenridge Colorado

• Breckenridge Photos and Information at Western Mining History