Custer County, Colorado

Custer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,255.[1] The county seat is Westcliffe.[2]

Custer County
The Westcliffe Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°05′N 105°22′W
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 9, 1877
Named forGeorge Armstrong Custer
SeatWestcliffe
Largest townSilver Cliff
Area
  Total740 sq mi (1,900 km2)
  Land739 sq mi (1,910 km2)
  Water1.3 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%%
Population
  Estimate 
(2019)
5,068
  Density5.8/sq mi (2.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
  Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitecustercountygov.com

History

Custer County was created by the Colorado legislature on March 9, 1877, out of the southern half of Fremont County. It was named in honor of Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who had died the previous year. Originally set in Ula, the county seat moved to Rosita in 1878, and to Silver Cliff in 1886 before settling in Westcliffe in 1928.

The county was the site of a silver rush during the 1870s. Thousands of men poured into the county during this time in the hunt for silver. Some of the notable mines include the Geyser Mine (on the north edge of the town of Silver Cliff), the Bassick Mine (near the ghost town of Querida) and the Bull Domingo (north of Silver Cliff).

During the late 19th century a railroad line was connected through the Grape Creek Canyon but was permanently closed after a few disastrous floods. The old railhouse has been turned into a historical landmark in the town of Westcliffe.

After the mines were exhausted, the population dropped considerably and was replaced by cattle ranchers. An extensive system of irrigation ditches was built throughout the valley. Ranching in the Wet Mountain Valley continues to this day.

Geography

The Wet Mountain Valley of Custer County is nestled beneath the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 739 square miles (1,910 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3]

The county is very rugged and would be virtually inaccessible without roads. The lowest point of the county is around 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in elevation, but most of the county is rugged and mountainous. The county seat of Westcliffe is about 7,800 feet (2,400 m) and along with nearby town Silver Cliff lies in the Wet Mountain Valley which sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west reach heights in excess of 14,000 feet (4,300 m) with Crestone Peak being the highest at 14,294 feet (4,357 m) and 7th highest fourteener in Colorado.

A large percentage of the county is National Forest land in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the west side and in the Wet Mountains on the east. The only lake of size is the DeWeese Reservoir in the north end of the Wet Mountain Valley.

Adjacent counties

Major Highways

National protected areas

Bicycle trails

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
18808,080
18902,970−63.2%
19002,937−1.1%
19101,947−33.7%
19202,17211.6%
19302,124−2.2%
19402,2706.9%
19501,573−30.7%
19601,305−17.0%
19701,120−14.2%
19801,52836.4%
19901,92626.0%
20003,50381.9%
20104,25521.5%
2019 (est.)5,068[4]19.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2018[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 3,503 people, 1,480 households, and 1,077 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.89% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,480 households, out of which 25.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% were married couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 35.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 104.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,731, and the median income for a family was $41,198. Males had a median income of $32,460 versus $20,868 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,817. About 9.80% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Median household income (adjusted for inflation) dropped from $49,184 in 2009 to $32,261 in 2014, which made the county the third worst performing county in this respect in the country.[10]

Government

The county is governed by three county commissioners who are elected to 4-year terms with a term limit of two. In 2012, the county was represented by:

-District 1: Bill Canda (Republican), serving from 2017 to 2018. 1st term

-District 2: Jay Printz (Republican), serving from 2016 to 2020. 1st term.

-District 3: Tom Flower (Republican), serving from 2017 to 2020. 1st term.

There are several other public offices including Coroner, Sheriff, County Clerk and others.

[11]

Politics

Custer County is overall very conservative and heavily Republican. The most important election is not the general election, but the primary election between members of the Republican Party in August. During the 2004 presidential election, well over 60% of Custer County voters voted for the Republican candidates including George W. Bush and Pete Coors.

Presidential elections results
Custer County vote
by party in presidential elections
[12]
Year Republican Democratic Others
2020 68.1% 2,474 30.6% 1,112 1.4% 49
2016 67.2% 2,061 26.0% 797 6.8% 208
2012 65.9% 1,788 32.0% 868 2.2% 59
2008 63.6% 1,672 34.7% 912 1.7% 45
2004 68.3% 1,657 30.4% 739 1.3% 32
2000 68.7% 1,451 24.0% 507 7.3% 153
1996 58.9% 920 26.4% 412 14.7% 230
1992 47.4% 651 25.0% 343 27.7% 381
1988 69.5% 753 28.6% 310 1.9% 21
1984 76.1% 832 22.1% 241 1.8% 20
1980 66.7% 674 22.9% 231 10.4% 105
1976 62.4% 491 32.9% 259 4.7% 37
1972 71.4% 495 22.2% 154 6.4% 44
1968 60.5% 433 28.5% 204 11.0% 79
1964 46.7% 358 52.9% 406 0.4% 3
1960 61.9% 509 38.2% 314 0.0% 0
1956 66.8% 534 33.0% 264 0.1% 1
1952 73.6% 662 25.7% 231 0.7% 6
1948 58.0% 547 40.7% 384 1.3% 12
1944 63.7% 601 35.3% 333 1.0% 9
1940 57.4% 685 41.5% 495 1.2% 14
1936 43.1% 526 55.3% 674 1.6% 20
1932 34.5% 413 60.8% 729 4.8% 57
1928 58.9% 600 38.2% 389 2.9% 30
1924 44.4% 429 29.1% 281 26.5% 256
1920 63.3% 560 32.7% 289 4.1% 36
1916 41.4% 403 54.3% 529 4.3% 42
1912 35.0% 347 51.4% 510 13.6% 135

Despite the surface appearance of a homogeneous political culture, there is considerable dispute among residents over planning. One segment of residents (which includes ranchers) would like to see the County preserved in its present state as a mountain paradise with its rural ranching culture, with strict limitation on development. Proponents are sometimes seen as "anti-growth" and "anti-property rights." Another segment of the population would like to see less government and less restrictions on growth and development for the growth of business and the economy. Proponents are seen as "anti-environment" or "anti-agriculture."

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

References

  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  10. http://time.com/4143468/recession-census-income/
  11. Officialwebpage - http://www.custercountygov.com/index.php?pg=commissioners
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

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