Archuleta County, Colorado

Archuleta County, Colorado
Archuleta County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,359. The county seat and the only incorporated municipality in the county is Pagosa Springs.
History
Archuleta County was created by the Colorado legislature on April 14, 1885, out of western Conejos County. It was named for Jose Manuel Archuleta, "head of one of the old Spanish families of New Mexico", and in honor of his son Antonio D. Archuleta, who was the Senator from Conejos County at the time.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Mineral County, Colorado - north
Rio Grande County, Colorado - northeast
Conejos County, Colorado - east
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico - south
San Juan County, New Mexico - southwest
La Plata County, Colorado - west
Hinsdale County, Colorado - northwest
Airport
Stevens Field
Major highways
U.S. Highway 84
U.S. Highway 160
State Highway 17
State Highway 151
National protected areas
Rio Grande National Forest
San Juan National Forest
Chimney Rock National Monument
South San Juan Wilderness
State protected area
Navajo State Park
Scenic and historic trails
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Waterways
Chamita River
Dutton Creek
Little Navajo River
Martinez Creek
McCabe Creek
Mill Creek
Piedra River
Rio Blanco
Rio Chama
San Juan River
Stollsteimer Creek
Williams Creek
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, there were 13,359 people, 5,736 households living in the county. The average household size was 2.34 persons. The population density was . As of 2021, there were 9,693 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 3.8% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 3.1% from two or more races. 18.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The age distribution was 4.1% under 5 years, 17.5% under 18 years, 51.1% between 18 and 64 years, and 27.3% 65 years or older. 49.9% were female.
The median household income (in 2020 dollars) was $55,658. The per capita income for the county was $32,995. About 9.40% of the population were at or below the poverty line.
Politics
As of January 2022, Archuleta County had approximately 10,696 active registered voters. There were 40.6% unaffiliated with a party, 38.3% Republican, 19.6% Democrat, .8% Libertarian, .2% Green, and .5% various other parties.
Voting in the county tends to favor conservative choices, especially at the state and national level, but winning elections for unaffiliated local candidates are not uncommon.
Communities
Town
Pagosa Springs
Census-designated place
Arboles
Other unincorporated places
Chimney Rock
Chromo
Juanita
Dyke
Apparently named for the first county sheriff (circa 1890) and later county commissioner, Wm. Dyke. It can be found listed on USGS and FAA maps.
Education
School districts include:
Archuleta County School District 50-JT
Bayfield School District 10 JT-R
Ignacio School District 11-JT
See also
Bibliography of Colorado
Geography of Colorado
History of Colorado
National Register of Historic Places listings in Archuleta County, Colorado
Index of Colorado-related articles
List of Colorado-related lists
List of counties in Colorado
Outline of Colorado
References
External links
Archuleta County Government website
Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
Colorado Historical Society
1885 establishments in Colorado
Populated places established in 1885
Colorado counties