Montrose, Colorado

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Montrose is a city in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 15,479.^[1] It is the county seat of Montrose County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Transportation
5 Points of interest
6 References
7 External links
- 7.1 Montrose Area
- 7.2 Community Services

[edit] Geography

Montrose is located at 38°28′37″N, 107°51′56″W (38.476952, -107.865544)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.7 km² (11.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 12,344 people, 5,244 households, and 3,319 families residing in the city. The population density was 415.5/km² (1,076.3/mi²). There were 5,581 housing units at an average density of 187.9/km² (486.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.01% White, 0.44% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.55% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.36% of the population.

There were 5,244 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $42,017. Males had a median income of $30,674 versus $21,067 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,097. About 11.3% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Montrose was incorporated on May 2, 1882 and named after Sir Walter Scott's Legend of Montrose. The Denver & Rio Grande railroad building west toward Grand Junction reached Montrose later in 1882 and Montrose became an important regional shipping center with a branch railroad line serving the mineral rich San Juan Mountains to the south.

In 1909 the Gunnison Tunnel opened providing irrigation water from the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon to Uncompahgre Valley helping turn Montrose into an agricultural hub as well.

Today Montrose serves as gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the east of town, and winter transportation hub to ski areas of the San Juan Mountains to the south.

[edit] Transportation

Montrose Regional Airport serves the Montrose area with regional service to Denver. As the nearest major airport to the ski areas around Telluride, Montrose sees heavy seasonal service.

Montrose is served by two U.S. Highways, US 50 and US 550.