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Louisville, Colorado

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Not to be confused with Louisville, Kentucky.
City of Louisville, Colorado
Home Rule Municipality
The Louisville Public Library, built in 2006 (American Institute of Architects Award, 2007)
The Louisville Public Library, built in 2006
(American Institute of Architects Award, 2007)
Location in Boulder County and the state of Colorado
Location in Boulder County and the state of Colorado
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
County[1]Boulder County
First settled1877
IncorporatedJune 3, 1882[2]
Government
 • TypeHome Rule Municipality[1]
 • MayorBob Muckle
Area
 • Total
8.0 sq mi (20.7 km2)
 • Land7.9 sq mi (20.4 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation
[3]
5,335 ft (1,626 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
18,376
 • Density2,330/sq mi (899.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes[4]
80027-80028
Area code(s)Both 303 and 720
FIPS code08-46355
GNIS feature ID0181261
HighwaysUS 36, SH 42, Northwest Parkway NW Parkway
Websitewww.louisvilleco.gov

The City of Louisville /ˈluːɪsvɪl/ is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 18,376 at the 2010 United States Census.[5] Louisville began as a rough mining community in 1877, suffered through a period of extraordinary labor violence early in the 20th century, and then, when the mines closed in the 1950s, made a transition to a suburban residential community. According to CNN/Money and Money magazine's list of the 100 best places to live in the United States, Louisville was placed third in 2007,[6] first in 2009[7] and 2011,[8] and second in 2013.[9]

Early history

The town of Louisville dates back to the start of the Welch Mine in 1877, the first coal mine in an area of Boulder and Weld counties known as the Northern Coalfield. The town was named for Louis Nawatny, a local landowner who platted his land and named it for himself. Incorporation came several years later, in 1882.[10]

The Northern Coalfield proved to be highly productive, and eventually some 30 different mines operated within the current boundaries of Louisville, though not all at the same time. During the years of peak production (1907–09) twelve mines were in operation in Louisville, including the Acme Mine whose two million tons of coal came from directly beneath the center of town. The presence of many independent mining companies in Louisville saved the town from becoming a "company town", wholly owned and dominated by a single mining company.[10]

Coal from the Northern Coalfield was sub-bituminous (low grade) and could not be transported long distances because of problems with self-combustion. Mining generally took place in winter months since that was the period that demanded fuel for heating. During the summers the miners played in local baseball leagues, with the home field named "Miners Field".

A great deal of mythology has arisen around the stories of tunnels that connected saloons throughout the city, but these have proven to be unfounded and undocumented. Instead, during labor conflicts many citizens found refuge in dirt basements to avoid errant bullets being fired from mine compounds into the city. From 1910–14 the Northern Colorado Coalfields were in the midst of a strike by the United Mine Workers and the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company based on working conditions, pay, and working hours. When miners walked out on the Hecla Mine northeast of Louisville the company hired the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency to guard the mine compound. A machine gun and spotlight were placed in a tower on the Hecla property, and when miners took out their frustration by shooting their guns at the compound, the detectives responded by returning their fire by randomly firing at the town.[10]

Eventually the coal remaining in the Northern Coalfield became increasingly uneconomical to mine, and the last coal mines operating in Louisville closed in the 1950s.

Recent events

In recent years, Louisville has been recognized in several publications as one of the best places to live and raise a family in the United States:

  • In July 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Louisville fifth on their list of the 100 best places to live in the United States. Criteria included financial, housing, education, quality of life, leisure and culture, and weather data.[11]
  • In May 2006, Bert Sperling & Peter Sander, authors of the book Best Places to Raise Your Family: The Top 100 Affordable Communities in the U.S., ranked Louisville first on their list of best places in the U.S. to raise a family.[12][13]
  • In August 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine again ranked Louisville third on their list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.[11]
  • In July 2009, CNN/Money and Money magazine named Louisville the Winner and ranked first on their list of 100 best places to live in the United States.[7]
  • In July 2011, CNN/Money and Money magazine again named Louisville the Winner and ranked first on their list of 100 best places to live in the United States, the second time it has graced the top slot of the magazines annual listing.[8]
  • In July 2012, Family Circle magazine placed Louisville among the top ten "Best Towns for Families".[14] Based on a survey of 3,335 municipalities with populations ranging from 11,000 to 150,000, the list does not assign ranks within the top ten.

As of 2012, the City of Louisville offers its residents a recreation/senior center, 26 city parks, 1,800 acres (730 ha) of open space buffer zones, 26 miles (42 km) of trails and bicycle paths, and an award-winning $9 million public library with study rooms, teen areas, and a fireside reading room. The Louisville Public Library has long had one of the highest circulation rates in the state of Colorado.[15]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880450—
189059632.4%
190096662.1%
19101,70676.6%
19201,7995.5%
19301,681−6.6%
19402,02320.3%
19501,978−2.2%
19602,0734.8%
19702,40916.2%
19805,593132.2%
199012,361121.0%
200018,93753.2%
201018,376−3.0%
2014 (est.)20,112[16]9.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,937 people, 7,216 households, and 4,950 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2010 there were 18,376 people.[19] The population density was 2,223.6 people per square mile (858.2/km²). There were 7,389 housing units at an average density of 867.6 per square mile (334.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.17% White, 0.93% African American, 0.54% Native American, 3.55% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.83% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.02% of the population.

There were 7,216 households out of which 41% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31% were non-families. 22% of all households were made up of individuals and 5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.

In the city the population was spread out with 29% under the age of 18, 6% from 18 to 24, 36% from 25 to 44, 23% from 45 to 64, and 6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $69,945, and the median income for a family was $81,512. Males had a median income of $57,159 versus $36,659 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,828. 3% of the population and 2% of families were below the poverty line. 2% of those under the age of 18 and 6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Education

There are six public schools, six private schools, and one Public Library in Louisville.[20] The public secondary schools are Monarch High School, Monarch K-8 and Louisville Middle School.

High technology

Louisville is the home of several high-technology companies, including the Space Systems component of Sierra Nevada Corporation, a prime systems integrator for commercial spacecraft. SNC Space Systems' Dream Chaser was not chosen as one of three commercial spacecraft chosen by NASA to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. It may however help transport supplies.

Geography

Louisville is located in southeastern Boulder County at 39°58′34″N 105°8′39″W / 39.97611°N 105.14417°W / 39.97611; -105.14417 (39.976035, −105.144067).[21] It is bordered by the city of Lafayette to the northeast, Broomfield to the southeast, and Superior to the south. The unincorporated community of Paragon Estates borders Louisville to the west. U.S. Highway 36, the Denver-Boulder Turnpike, forms the southwest border of the city. The Northwest Parkway, a partial beltway around Denver, passes just to the southeast of Louisville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 square miles (20.7 km2), of which 7.9 square miles (20.4 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 1.35%, is water.[5]

Community attractions and lifestyle

Louisville's historical downtown includes Steinbaugh Pavilion,[22] which is used for a concert venue during summer street fairs and an ice rink in the winter months. The Old Louisville Inn is the oldest operating tavern in the state of Colorado.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  2. ^ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. 2004-12-01. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "ZIP Code Lookup" (JavaScript/HTML). United States Postal Service. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Louisville city, Colorado". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "Best Places to Live: Top 100, Louisville, Colo". Money.CNN.com. CNN Money. 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Best Places to Live: Money's List of America's Best Small Towns - Louisville, CO". Money.CNN.com. CNN Money. 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Best Places to Live: Money's List of America's Best Small Towns - Louisville, CO". Money.CNN.com. CNN Money. 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Best Places to Live: Louisville, CO". Money.CNN.com. CNN Money. 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Conarroe, Carol, The Louisville Story. Louisville, CO: Conarroe, 1978.
  11. ^ a b "Best Places to Live", by Kate Ashford et al., Money magazine, July 2005. Cite error: The named reference "Money" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ Wilson, Craig (2006-05-08). "Another Louisville tops 'Best Places' list". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  13. ^ Sperling, Burt; Sandler, Peter (2006-05-08). Best Places to Raise Your Family: The Top 100 Affordable Communities in the U.S. Frommers. ISBN 978-0-471-74699-7.
  14. ^ Turner, Kimberli (2012-07-04), "Family Circle recognizes Louisville on 'Best Towns for Families' list", Colorado Hometown Weekly
  15. ^ Aguilar, John (2007-09-03). "Literary Louisville: Record numbers use library". Boulder Daily Camera. Retrieved 2007-09-06. [dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  18. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  19. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005" (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2006-06-20. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  20. ^ "Louisville". Mywikicity.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  21. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  22. ^ "Louisville Recreation & Senior Center". Louisvillerecreation.com. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
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