Ouray County, Colorado
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Ouray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of 2000, the population is 3,742. The county seat is Ouray.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,404 km² (542 mi²). 1,400 km² (540 mi²) of it is land and 5 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.32%) is water.
Because of the mountainous geography, Ouray is also known as the Switzerland of America.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Montrose County, Colorado - north
- Gunnison County, Colorado - northeast
- Hinsdale County, Colorado - southeast
- San Juan County, Colorado - south
- San Miguel County, Colorado - southwest
[edit] History
Ouray County was formed out of San Juan County on 18 January 1877, the first county designated by the newly formed Colorado State Legislature. It was named after Chief Ouray, a distinguished Ute Indian chief. Ouray was designanted county seat on 8 March 1877. On 19 February 1881, Dolores County was formed out of Ouray County and on 27 February 1883, Ouray County was split into San Miguel County and what remained is the current Ouray County. The portion that became San Miguel County almost retained the name Ouray County, with the current county being called Uncompahgre County.
The Ouray County Courthouse was constructed in Ouray in 1888 and is located on the National Register of Historic Places.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,742 people, 1,576 households, and 1,123 families residing in the county. The population density was 3/km² (7/mi²). There were 2,146 housing units at an average density of 2/km² (4/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.34% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. 4.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,576 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.50% 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, 4.10% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 34.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,019, and the median income for a family was $49,776. Males had a median income of $35,141 versus $26,176 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,335. About 6.00% of families and 7.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 2.90% of those age 65 or over.
