ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

'Arapahoe County' is the third most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 537,197 in 2006, a 10.09% increase since U.S. Census 2000. Annual County Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CO-EST2006-alldata) The county seat is Littleton and the most populous city is Aurora. Arapahoe County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. Arapahoe County calls itself "Colorado's First County" since its origins predate the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.

Contents

History

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

State park

Historic trails

Recreation trails

See also

External links

References

History

Arapahoe County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Colorado Territory on 1861-11-01. Arapahoe County originally stretched from the line of present-day Sheridan Boulevard 160 miles (258 kilometers) east to the Kansas state border, and from the line of present-day County Line Road 30 miles (48 kilometers) north to the Parallel 40° North (168th Avenue). Denver City served as the Arapahoe County Seat until 1902.
In 1901, the Colorado General Assembly voted to split Arapahoe County into three parts: a new consolidated City and County of Denver, a new Adams County, and the remainder of the Arapahoe County to be renamed South Arapahoe County. A ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, subsequent legislation, and a referendum delayed the reorganization until 1902-11-15. Governor James Bradley Orman designated Littleton as the temporary South Arapahoe County Seat. On 1903-04-11, the Colorado General Assembly changed the name of South Arapahoe County back to Arapahoe County. On 1904-11-08, Arapahoe County voters chose Littleton over Englewood by a vote of 1310 to 829 to be the permanent county seat.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,086 km² (805 mi²). 2,080 km² (803 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.28%) is water. The county measures 72 miles (116 kilometers) east to west and 4 to 12 miles (6 to 19 kilometers) south to north.
Two exclaves of Arapahoe County remain entirely surrounded by the City and County of Denver. The City of Glendale occupies one exclave.

Adjacent Counties

★ City and County of Denver - northwest and exclaves

★ Adams County, Colorado - north

★ Washington County, Colorado - east

★ Lincoln County, Colorado - southeast

★ Elbert County, Colorado - south

★ Douglas County, Colorado - southwest

★ Jefferson County, Colorado - west

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 235/km² (608/mi²). There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 95/km² (245/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.93% White, 7.67% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 3.95% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.51% from other races, and 3.16% from two or more races. 11.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 190,909 households out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 33.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,570, and the median income for a family was $63,875. Males had a median income of $41,601 versus $31,612 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,147. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Aurora

★ Bennett

★ Bow Mar

★ Centennial ''(created mostly from Southglenn and Castlewood CDPs)''

★ Cherry Hills Village

★ Columbine Valley

★ Deer Trail

★ Englewood

★ Foxfield

★ Glendale

★ Greenwood Village

★ Littleton

★ Sheridan

★ Watkins
== Formerly Unincorporated Census Designated Places ==

★ Castlewood ''(now part of Centennial)''

★ Southglenn '' (now part of Centennial)''

State park

★ Cherry Creek State Park

Historic trails

★ Smoky Hill Trail

★ South Platte Trail

Recreation trails

★ Highline Canal National Recreation Trail

★ Platte River Greenway National Recreation Trail

See also

★ Colorado census statistical areas

★ Colorado counties

★ Colorado metropolitan areas

★ Colorado municipalities

★ Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area

★ Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area

★ Front Range Urban Corridor

External links

★ Arapahoe County Government website

References