Grand County, Colorado

Grand County, Colorado
Grand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,717. The county seat is Hot Sulphur Springs.
History
When Grand County was created on February 2, 1874, it was carved out of Summit County and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is in present-day Moffat County and Routt County. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River, an old name for the upper Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the county. On January 29, 1877, Routt County was created and Grand County shrunk down to its current western boundary. When valuable minerals were found in North Park, Grand County claimed the area as part of its county, a claim Larimer County also held. It took a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1886 to declare North Park part of Larimer County, setting Grand County's northern boundary.
In 2004, Marvin John Heemeyer a local businessman from Granby used an armoured vehicle to destroy parts of the town of Granby. This was after the government ruined his business. He was stopped when he ran out of fuel and he committed suicide.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Larimer County - northeast
Gilpin County - east
Boulder County - east
Clear Creek County - southeast
Summit County - south
Eagle County - southwest
Jackson County - north
Routt County - west
Major highways
U.S. Highway 34
U.S. Highway 40
State Highway 9
State Highway 125
State Highway 134
National protected areas
Arapaho National Forest
Arapaho National Recreation Area
Byers Peak Wilderness
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Indian Peaks Wilderness
Never Summer Wilderness
Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness
Rocky Mountain National Park
Routt National Forest
Sarvis Creek Wilderness
Vasquez Peak Wilderness
Bicycle routes
Great Parks Bicycle Route
TransAmerica Trail Bicycle Route
Scenic byways
Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway
Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway
Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 12,442 people in 5,075 households, including 3,217 families, in the county. The population density was . There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 95.15% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of German, 12.6% Irish, 10.0% English and 7.3% American ancestry.
Of the 5,075 households 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 4.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.
The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.70 males.
The median household income was $47,759 and the median family income was $55,217. Males had a median income of $34,861 versus $26,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,198. About 5.40% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Unlike many counties dominated by a ski town, Grand County leans Republican. However, the town of Winter Park, where the Winter Park Ski Resort is located, is solidly Democratic.
Communities
Towns
Fraser
Granby
Grand Lake
Hot Sulphur Springs
Kremmling
Winter Park
Census-designated places
Parshall
Tabernash
Other
Radium
See also
Bibliography of Colorado
Geography of Colorado
History of Colorado
Saratoga County, Jefferson Territory
National Register of Historic Places listings in Grand County, Colorado
Index of Colorado-related articles
List of Colorado-related lists
List of counties in Colorado
Outline of Colorado
References
External links
Arapaho National Recreation Area website
Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
Colorado Historical Society
Grand County Library District website
Grand County News website
Grand County Tourism Board website
Town of Hot Sulphur Springs website
Rocky Mountain National Park website
Winter Park and Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce website
Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce homepage
WorkInGrand Portal
Colorado counties
1874 establishments in Colorado Territory
Populated places established in 1874