Montrose County, Colorado

Montrose County, Colorado
County
Montrose County Courthouse in Montrose
Montrose County Courthouse in Montrose
Map of Colorado highlighting Montrose County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 38°25′N 108°16′W / 38.41°N 108.27°W / 38.41; -108.27
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 11, 1883
Named afterCity of Montrose
SeatMontrose
Largest cityMontrose
Area
 • Total
2,243 sq mi (5,810 km2)
 • Land2,241 sq mi (5,800 km2)
 • Water1.9 sq mi (4.9 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
42,679
 • Estimate 
(2024)[1]
44,806
 • Density19/sq mi (7.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.montrosecounty.net

Montrose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,679.[2] The county seat is Montrose,[3] for which the county is named.

Montrose County comprises the Montrose, CO, Micropolitan Statistical Area.[4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,243 square miles (5,810 km2), of which 2,241 square miles (5,800 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.08%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

River

Trails and byways

Historical site

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18903,980—
19004,53513.9%
191010,291126.9%
192011,85215.2%
193011,742−0.9%
194015,41831.3%
195015,220−1.3%
196018,28620.1%
197018,3660.4%
198024,35232.6%
199024,4230.3%
200033,43236.9%
201041,27623.5%
202042,6793.4%
2024 (est.)44,806[7] Increase5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 42,679. Of the residents, 21.3% were under the age of 18 and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.9 males. 57.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 42.6% lived in rural areas.[12][13][14]

Montrose County, Colorado – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[15] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 27,554 31,989 31,126 82.42% 77.50% 72.93%
Black or African American alone (NH) 78 118 159 0.23% 0.29% 0.37%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 228 204 262 0.68% 0.49% 0.61%
Asian alone (NH) 130 236 334 0.39% 0.57% 0.78%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 19 24 26 0.06% 0.06% 0.06%
Other race alone (NH) 17 59 183 0.05% 0.14% 0.43%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 439 519 1,562 1.31% 1.26% 3.66%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,967 8,127 9,027 14.86% 19.69% 21.15%
Total 33,432 41,276 42,679 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 78.2% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.1% from some other race, and 10.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 21.2% of the population.[14]

There were 17,482 households in the county, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 18,952 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.1% were owner-occupied and 26.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.[13]

2010 census

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 41,276 people, 16,484 households, and 11,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 18,250 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.70% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 1.10% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 8.70% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 19.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,484 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 22.50% from 25 to 44, 28.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

Also from the census[19] of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $46,058, and the median income for a family was $52,152. Males had a median income of $41,301 versus $31,659 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,413. About 7.30% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Montrose is a staunch Republican county. It has not been won by a Democratic presidential nominee since Lyndon Johnson‘s 1964 landslide – indeed since then, no Democrat has managed forty percent of the county's vote. The county has leaned Republican ever since 1920; although before this, it did tend to vote Democratic between 1896 and 1916 except during the landslide loss of Alton B. Parker in 1904.

United States presidential election results for Montrose County, Colorado[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1884 420 62.69% 230 34.33% 20 2.99%
1888 512 55.65% 372 40.43% 36 3.91%
1892 301 34.88% 0 0.00% 562 65.12%
1896 182 11.64% 1,348 86.19% 34 2.17%
1900 658 35.88% 1,038 56.60% 138 7.52%
1904 1,306 51.56% 922 36.40% 305 12.04%
1908 1,193 38.71% 1,461 47.40% 428 13.89%
1912 631 16.82% 1,478 39.39% 1,643 43.79%
1916 1,315 31.47% 2,571 61.52% 293 7.01%
1920 2,225 54.83% 1,522 37.51% 311 7.66%
1924 2,077 45.82% 1,239 27.33% 1,217 26.85%
1928 2,873 67.27% 1,297 30.37% 101 2.36%
1932 1,992 41.00% 2,516 51.79% 350 7.20%
1936 2,248 41.44% 2,938 54.16% 239 4.41%
1940 3,744 54.62% 3,013 43.95% 98 1.43%
1944 2,952 56.37% 2,258 43.12% 27 0.52%
1948 2,473 48.34% 2,544 49.73% 99 1.94%
1952 4,279 67.16% 2,037 31.97% 55 0.86%
1956 4,054 62.04% 2,461 37.66% 19 0.29%
1960 4,040 58.34% 2,861 41.31% 24 0.35%
1964 2,678 39.92% 4,009 59.76% 22 0.33%
1968 3,547 52.85% 2,394 35.67% 771 11.49%
1972 4,571 64.75% 1,870 26.49% 618 8.75%
1976 4,838 58.42% 3,164 38.20% 280 3.38%
1980 6,685 68.21% 2,232 22.78% 883 9.01%
1984 7,162 70.40% 2,864 28.15% 147 1.45%
1988 6,012 60.16% 3,748 37.51% 233 2.33%
1992 4,847 41.35% 3,713 31.67% 3,163 26.98%
1996 6,730 54.99% 4,019 32.84% 1,490 12.17%
2000 9,266 65.18% 4,041 28.43% 908 6.39%
2004 11,218 69.17% 4,776 29.45% 225 1.39%
2008 12,199 63.69% 6,495 33.91% 459 2.40%
2012 13,552 67.32% 6,138 30.49% 440 2.19%
2016 14,382 67.88% 5,466 25.80% 1,338 6.32%
2020 16,770 67.29% 7,687 30.84% 465 1.87%
2024 16,704 65.18% 8,354 32.60% 568 2.22%

In other offices, Montrose also is strongly Republican. The last Democratic Senatorial candidate it backed was Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who later shifted to the Republican Party, in the 1992 election.[21] Montrose County did back Constitution Party nominee Tom Tancredo in the 2010 gubernatorial election,[22] and Bill Ritter did win 46 percent in 2006,[23] but Roy Romer in 1990 remains the last Democratic candidate for governor to win Montrose County.[24]

Culture

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. December 1, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2012 – via National Archives.
  5. ^ See the Colorado census statistical areas.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  14. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Montrose County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  16. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Montrose County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  17. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Montrose County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  21. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 1992 Senatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  22. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results
  23. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 2006 Gubernatorial General Election Results
  24. ^ Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrose_County,_Colorado