Saguache County, Colorado

Saguache County, Colorado
County
Entering Saguache County from the north on U.S. 285
Entering Saguache County from the north on U.S. 285
Official seal of Saguache County, Colorado
Seal
Map of Colorado highlighting Saguache County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 38°05′N 106°18′W / 38.08°N 106.30°W / 38.08; -106.30
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedDecember 29, 1866
SeatSaguache
Largest townCenter
Area
 • Total
3,170 sq mi (8,200 km2)
 • Land3,169 sq mi (8,210 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2)  0.05%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,368
 • Estimate 
(2024)[1]
6,670
 • Density2/sq mi (0.77/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitesaguachecounty.colorado.gov

Saguache County (suh-WATCH /səˈwɑːtʃ/ ⓘ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado.[a][2][3] As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,368.[4] The county seat is Saguache.[5]

History

Saguache County was formed December 29, 1866, in the Territory of Colorado when it was extracted from the northern half of Costilla County. A partition from Lake County on February 9, 1872, added the northwest section of the present-day county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,170 square miles (8,200 km2), of which 3,169 square miles (8,210 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.05%) is water.[6] It is the 7th largest of Colorado's 64 counties.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Trails and byways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870304—
18801,973549.0%
18903,31367.9%
19003,85316.3%
19104,1608.0%
19204,63811.5%
19306,25034.8%
19406,173−1.2%
19505,664−8.2%
19604,473−21.0%
19703,827−14.4%
19803,9352.8%
19904,61917.4%
20005,91728.1%
20106,1083.2%
20206,3684.3%
2024 (est.)6,670[9] Increase4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[4]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,368. Of the residents, 20.0% were under the age of 18 and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 47.0 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.7 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[14][15][16]

Saguache 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[17] Pop 2010[18] Pop 2020[19] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,053 3,446 3,578 51.60% 56.42% 56.19%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1 11 19 0.02% 0.18% 0.30%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 73 68 81 1.23% 1.11% 1.27%
Asian alone (NH) 26 47 63 0.44% 0.77% 0.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 1 2 0.00% 0.02% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 14 2 42 0.24% 0.03% 0.66%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 72 81 189 1.22% 1.33% 2.97%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,678 2,452 2,394 45.26% 40.14% 37.59%
Total 5,917 6,108 6,368 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 66.1% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 3.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.2% from some other race, and 20.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 37.6% of the population.[16]

There were 2,835 households in the county, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 3,739 housing units, of which 24.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.1% were owner-occupied and 29.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.6%.[15]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,917 people, 2,300 households, and 1,557 families living in the county.[20] The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 3,087 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.29% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 2.06% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 23.00% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 45.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,300 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,495, and the median income for a family was $29,405. Males had a median income of $25,158 versus $18,862 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,121. About 18.70% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Like many Colorado counties with a strong Hispanic presence, Saguache leans Democratic in Presidential elections. The last Republican to carry the county was Ronald Reagan in 1984.

United States presidential election results for Saguache County, Colorado[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 509 57.19% 371 41.69% 10 1.12%
1884 543 54.08% 454 45.22% 7 0.70%
1888 592 57.76% 428 41.76% 5 0.49%
1892 326 36.51% 0 0.00% 567 63.49%
1896 176 13.17% 1,155 86.45% 5 0.37%
1900 731 39.84% 1,085 59.13% 19 1.04%
1904 922 56.19% 697 42.47% 22 1.34%
1908 811 49.06% 817 49.43% 25 1.51%
1912 730 36.37% 859 42.80% 418 20.83%
1916 681 34.22% 1,254 63.02% 55 2.76%
1920 1,195 60.32% 717 36.19% 69 3.48%
1924 1,205 58.33% 591 28.61% 270 13.07%
1928 1,491 62.62% 854 35.87% 36 1.51%
1932 931 37.88% 1,427 58.06% 100 4.07%
1936 1,071 43.79% 1,321 54.01% 54 2.21%
1940 1,462 55.57% 1,142 43.41% 27 1.03%
1944 1,204 62.13% 729 37.62% 5 0.26%
1948 914 47.19% 1,009 52.09% 14 0.72%
1952 1,344 65.08% 714 34.58% 7 0.34%
1956 1,149 58.03% 823 41.57% 8 0.40%
1960 956 49.05% 984 50.49% 9 0.46%
1964 622 36.06% 1,099 63.71% 4 0.23%
1968 824 52.45% 648 41.25% 99 6.30%
1972 1,062 63.18% 578 34.38% 41 2.44%
1976 1,094 49.50% 1,059 47.92% 57 2.58%
1980 1,124 52.65% 893 41.83% 118 5.53%
1984 1,201 57.63% 867 41.60% 16 0.77%
1988 945 46.94% 1,033 51.32% 35 1.74%
1992 675 31.05% 1,011 46.50% 488 22.45%
1996 712 36.48% 969 49.64% 271 13.88%
2000 1,078 42.63% 1,145 45.27% 306 12.10%
2004 1,163 41.49% 1,594 56.87% 46 1.64%
2008 956 34.76% 1,730 62.91% 64 2.33%
2012 964 32.88% 1,865 63.61% 103 3.51%
2016 1,147 40.46% 1,417 49.98% 271 9.56%
2020 1,413 41.69% 1,884 55.59% 92 2.71%
2024 1,577 46.37% 1,704 50.10% 120 3.53%

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

National Register of Historic Places

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Saguache County, Colorado

Saguache County has nine locations listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The name "Saguache" is pronounced /səˈwætʃ/. This name comes from the Ute language noun "sawup" /səˈwʌp/ meaning "sand dunes". The Spanish language version of this name is usually spelled "Saguache", while the English language version is usually spelled "Sawatch".

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. ^ Merkl, Dameon (February 26, 2013), "What's in a Colorado name pronunciation?", The Denver Post, retrieved March 7, 2013
  3. ^ Benson, Maxine (1994). 1001 Colorado Place Names. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 0-7006-0632-7.
  4. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Forest Service issues management plan for Baca Mountain Tract:" Creation of Great Sand Dunes National Park gave 14,000-acre parcel to Forest Service." article by Matt Hildner in The Pueblo Chieftain November 14, 2009, Updated May 11, 2010, accessed August 30, 2010
  8. ^ Hiking and Backpacking accessed July 16, 2010
  9. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  13. ^ "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 11, 2014.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  15. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  16. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  17. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Saguache County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  18. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Saguache County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  19. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Saguache County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

Further reading

  • Lindsey, D.A. et al. (1985). Mineral resources of the Black Canyon and South Piney Creek Wilderness Study Areas, Saguache County, Colorado [U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1716-A]. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguache_County,_Colorado