Alamosa County
County
Alamosa County Courthouse
Alamosa County Courthouse
Map of Colorado highlighting Alamosa County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°34′N 105°47′W / 37.57°N 105.78°W / 37.57; -105.78
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 8, 1913
Named forSpanish language word for a grove of cottonwood trees
SeatAlamosa
Largest cityAlamosa
Area
 • Total723 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land723 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,376[1]
 • Density23/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitealamosacounty.colorado.gov

Alamosa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,376.[1] The county seat is Alamosa.[2] The county name is the Spanish language word for a grove of cottonwood trees.

History

Alamosa County was created by the Colorado legislature on March 8, 1913, out of northwestern Costilla County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 723 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Other protected areas

Scenic trails

Transportation

Alamosa is served by San Luis Valley Regional Airport. The only commercial service is to Denver.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19205,148—
19308,60267.1%
194010,48421.9%
195010,5310.4%
196010,000−5.0%
197011,42214.2%
198011,7993.3%
199013,61715.4%
200014,9669.9%
201015,4453.2%
202016,3766.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2020[1]

At the 2000 census there were 14,966 people, 5,467 households, and 3,651 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 6,088 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.19% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 2.34% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 20.34% from other races, and 4.16% from two or more races. 41.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[8] Of the 5,467 households 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.50% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 27.30% of households were one person and 8.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

The age distribution was 27.20% under the age of 18, 15.90% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median household income was $29,447 and the median family income was $38,389. Males had a median income of $27,733 versus $22,806 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,037. About 15.60% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.40% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the largest denominational groups were Catholics (with 5,716 members) and Evangelical Protestants (with 1,755 members).[9] The largest religious bodies were the Catholic Church (with 5,716 adherents) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (with 1,155 adherents).[9]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Alamosa County, Colorado[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,813 48.83% 3,759 48.14% 236 3.02%
2016 3,046 43.90% 3,189 45.96% 704 10.15%
2012 2,705 40.28% 3,811 56.75% 199 2.96%
2008 2,635 41.92% 3,521 56.01% 130 2.07%
2004 3,179 50.63% 3,017 48.05% 83 1.32%
2000 2,857 50.49% 2,455 43.38% 347 6.13%
1996 2,038 41.23% 2,330 47.14% 575 11.63%
1992 1,572 34.05% 1,928 41.76% 1,117 24.19%
1988 2,567 53.70% 2,146 44.90% 67 1.40%
1984 2,953 62.68% 1,720 36.51% 38 0.81%
1980 2,601 53.87% 1,821 37.72% 406 8.41%
1976 2,599 53.51% 2,052 42.25% 206 4.24%
1972 2,916 62.51% 1,540 33.01% 209 4.48%
1968 2,277 55.00% 1,574 38.02% 289 6.98%
1964 1,488 37.42% 2,481 62.40% 7 0.18%
1960 2,271 55.58% 1,811 44.32% 4 0.10%
1956 2,442 62.33% 1,465 37.39% 11 0.28%
1952 2,728 62.13% 1,626 37.03% 37 0.84%
1948 1,950 44.58% 2,395 54.76% 29 0.66%
1944 1,933 51.56% 1,806 48.17% 10 0.27%
1940 2,243 47.39% 2,467 52.12% 23 0.49%
1936 1,188 29.71% 2,754 68.87% 57 1.43%
1932 1,306 36.96% 2,141 60.58% 87 2.46%
1928 1,759 58.23% 1,239 41.01% 23 0.76%
1924 1,009 40.59% 625 25.14% 852 34.27%
1920 1,081 51.87% 949 45.54% 54 2.59%
1916 488 26.15% 1,308 70.10% 70 3.75%

Alamosa County is a competitive swing county, voting for the winning presidential candidate in every election since its formation except 1944, 1960, 1976, 2016, and 2020.

Communities

City

Town

Census Designated Place

Unincorporated communities

Sheriff's Office

Alamosa County Sheriff's Office
Agency overview
Preceding agency
  • Municipal Police
Employees39
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionAlamosa County, Colorado, U.S.
Population16376
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters1315 17th Street Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Sworn members18
Unsworn members21
Agency executive
Website
http://alamosacounty.colorado.gov/departments/sheriff

The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office is a county law enforcement agency in Alamosa County, Colorado, United States.[11] It consists of 18 sworn law enforcement officers and 21 civilian support personnel.[12]

Rank structure

Title Insignia
Sheriff
Undersheriff
Sergeant
Corporal
Deputy

License plate code

Alamosa County has used the following county codes on Colorado license plates issued to passenger vehicles in the county: XE-XG and EAA-ABD.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "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 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "County Membership Reports". thearda.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  10. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  11. ^ "Alamosa County Sheriff's Office in Alamosa, Colorado".
  12. ^ "Alamosa County Sheriffs Office / Alamosa County Jail - Alamosa, CO (Address, Phone, and Fax)".
  13. ^ Colorado County Codes

External links

37°34′N 105°47′W / 37.57°N 105.78°W / 37.57; -105.78

Places adjacent to Alamosa County, Colorado
Municipalities and communities of Alamosa County, Colorado, United States
State of Colorado
Authority control databases
Categories