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'La Plata County' is the fifteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" is the Spanish language name for "silver". The United States Census Bureau estimated that the county population was 47,936 in 2006, a 9.09% 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 Durango. The Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area comprises La Plata County.
The county is home to Durango Rock Shelters, the type site for the Basketmaker II period of Anasazi culture.

Contents

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Towns

National forest and wilderness

National historic district

Trails

Bicycle route

Scenic byway

See also

External links

References

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,403 km² (1,700 mi²). 4,383 km² (1,692 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.46% water.

Adjacent Counties

★ San Juan County, Colorado - north

★ Hinsdale County, Colorado - northeast

★ Archuleta County, Colorado - east

★ San Juan County, New Mexico - south

★ Montezuma County, Colorado - west

★ Dolores County, Colorado - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 43,941 people in the county, organized into 17,342 households and 10,890 families. The population density is 10/km² (26/mi²). There are 20,765 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.31% White, 5.78% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.90% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 10.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 17,342 households out of which 29.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.90% are married couples living together, 8.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.20% are non-families. 24.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the county the population is spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 103.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $40,159, and the median income for a family is $50,446. Males have a median income of $32,486 versus $24,666 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,534. 11.70% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.30% of those under the age of 18 and 7.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Towns

★ Bayfield

★ Durango

★ Ignacio

National forest and wilderness

★ San Juan National Forest

★ Weminuche Wilderness

National historic district

★ Durango-Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad National Historic District

Trails

★ Colorado Trail

★ Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Bicycle route

★ Great Parks Bicycle Route

Scenic byway

★ San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway

See also

★ Colorado census statistical areas

★ Colorado counties

★ Colorado municipalities

★ Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area

External links

★ La Plata County website

★ La Plata County State Register properties

References