Idaho Springs, Colorado

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Idaho Springs is a city in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,889 at the 2000 census. It is in Clear Creek Canyon, in the mountains upstream from Golden about 30 miles west of Denver. Founded in 1859 by prospectors during the early days of the Colorado Gold Rush, the town became a center of the regional mining district throughout the late 19th century. As you pass through Idaho Springs the entrance of the Apex tunnel is visible across the canyon. This long tunnel drained and gave access to many lodes between Idaho Springs and Central City. In the early 20th century the town evolved in a historical tourist center along U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 40, which ascend Clear Creek Canyon through the historical mining district. The town today is squeezed along the north side of Interstate 70, with a historical downtown on its western end and a strip of tourist-related businesses on its eastern end. It also serves as a bedroom community for workers at the Loveland Ski Area farther up the canyon. The town today is the largest community in Clear Creek Canyon, but for historical reasons the county seat has remained at Georgetown. Beau Jo's, a well-known pizza restaurant in Colorado was founded in Idaho Springs in 1973 and still maintains its very popular original location, though the company headquarters is now in Lakewood, Colorado

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Famous residents
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Idaho Springs is located at 39°44′33″N, 105°30′52″W (39.742456, -105.514391)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,889 people, 841 households, and 485 families residing in the city. The population density was 701.3/km² (1,820.1/mi²). There were 904 housing units at an average density of 335.6/km² (871.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.71% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 1.06% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 1.54% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 5.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 841 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,643, and the median income for a family was $48,790. Males had a median income of $35,446 versus $22,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,789. About 2.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Famous residents

Jennifer Whalen is a professional mountain bike racer who won the 2005 NORBA National Championship in the Super D category. She has been a resident of Idaho Springs since 2002