Jefferson County, Colorado

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jefferson County, Colorado
Map
Map of Colorado highlighting Jefferson County
Location in the state of Colorado
Map of the U.S. highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded November 1, 1861
Seat Golden
Largest city Lakewood
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
778 sq mi (2,015 km²)
772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
6 sq mi (15 km²), 0.77%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density
527,056
683/sq mi (264/km²)
Website: www.jeffco.us
Named for: U.S. President Thomas Jefferson
Fourth most populous Colorado county

Jefferson County (IPA: /ˈdʒɛfərsən ˈkaʊnti/) is the fourth 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 526,994 in 2006.[1] The county seat is Golden and the most populous city is Lakewood. Jefferson County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. The center of population of the State of Colorado is located in Jefferson County.[2]

Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is part of the Denver metropolitan area. The major expressway Interstate 70 traverses Jefferson County from east-to-west, passing just south of the county seat of Golden. Jefferson County is a quite long county from north to south, following the Front Range. The county is known as the Gateway to the Rocky Mountains.

A major employer in Jefferson County is the large Coors Brewing Company in Golden. Also, the state-supported Colorado School of Mines is located in Jefferson County, offering programs in mining and engineering.

Jefferson County is often nicknamed Jeffco. The name Jeffco is incorporated in the official name of the North Jeffco Park and Recreation District, the Jeffco School District, the Jeffco Business Center Metropolitan District No. 1, and several businesses located in Jefferson County. Jeffco is also incorporated in the unofficial monikers of many Jefferson County agencies. The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport operated by Jefferson County was previously known as the Jeffco Airport.

Contents

[edit] History

On 1855-08-25, the Kansas Territorial Legislature created Arapahoe County to govern the entire western portion of the Territory of Kansas. The county was named for the Arapaho Nation of Native Americans that lived in the region.

In July 1858, gold was discovered along the South Platte River in Arapahoe County (in present day Englewood). This discovery precipitated the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Many residents of the mining region felt disconnected from the remote territorial governments of Kansas and Nebraska, so they voted to form their own Territory of Jefferson on 1859-10-24. The following month, the Jefferson Territorial Legislature organized 12 counties for the new territory, including Jefferson County. Jefferson County was named for the namesake of the Jefferson Territory, Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. Golden City served as the county seat of Jefferson County. Robert Williamson Steele, Governor of the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson from 1859 to 1861, built his home in the county at Mount Vernon and later at Apex.

The Jefferson Territory never received federal sanction, but on 1861-02-28, U.S. President James Buchanan signed an act organizing the Territory of Colorado.[3] On 1861-11-01, the Colorado General Assembly organized the 17 original counties of Colorado including a new Jefferson County. In 1908, the southern tip of Jefferson County was transferred to Park County, reducing Jefferson County to its present length of 54 miles (87 kilometers). Several annexations by the City and County of Denver and the 2001 consolidation of the City and County of Broomfield removed eastern portions of the county.

[edit] Geography

Jefferson County spans 4 to 18 miles (6 to 30 kilometers) west to east and 54 miles (87 kilometers) north to south. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 778 square miles (2,015 km²), of which, 772 square miles (2,000 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) of it (0.77%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent counties

Jefferson County borders ten adjacent counties, the most of any Colorado county:

[edit] Recreational areas

  • Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
  • Apex Park
  • Centennial Cone Park
  • Clear Creek Canyon Park
  • Coal Creek Canyon
  • Crown Hill Park
  • Deer Creek Canyon Park
  • Elk Meadow Park
  • Fairmount Trail
  • Flying J Ranch Park
  • Hildebrand Ranch Park
  • Hiwan Homestead Museum
  • Lair o' the Bear Park
  • Lookout Mountain Nature Center
  • Matthews/Winters Park
  • Meyer Ranch Park
  • Mount Falcon Park
  • Mount Galbraith Park
  • Mount Glennon
  • Mount Lindo
  • North Table Mountain Park
  • Pine Valley Ranch Park
  • Ranson/Edwards Homestead Ranch
  • Reynolds Park
  • South Table Mountain Park
  • South Valley
  • Van Bibber Park
  • Welchester Tree Grant Park
  • White Ranch Park
  • Windy Saddle Park
  • Urban Trails

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 527,056 people, 206,067 households, and 140,537 families residing in the county. The population density was 683 people per square mile (264/km²). There were 212,488 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.59% White, 0.89% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 3.23% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 9.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 206,067 households out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $57,339, and the median income for a family was $67,310. Males had a median income of $45,306 versus $32,372 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,066. About 3.40% of families and 5.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities

[edit] Cities

[edit] Towns

[edit] Unincorporated Census Designated Places

[edit] Education

Jefferson County School District R-1.

[edit] State parks

[edit] National forests and wilderness

[edit] National wildlife refuge

[edit] Historic trail

  • South Platte Trail

[edit] Recreational trails

[edit] Scenic byway

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Annual County Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CO-EST2006-alldata) (CSV). 2006 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division (2007-03-22). Retrieved on 2007-05-03.
  2. ^ State Population Centers (text file). United States Census 2000. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (May 20, 2002). Retrieved on November 24, 2006.
  3. ^ An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado (PDF). Thirty-sixth United States Congress (1861-02-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Jefferson County, Colorado
County seat: Golden
Cities
Map of Colorado highlighting Jefferson County
Towns
CDPs
Unincorporated
communities
Flag of Colorado
v • d • e

 
State of Colorado
Denver (capital)
Topics
Anthems
Regions
Municipalities
Counties

Coordinates: 39°35′N 105°15′W / 39.59, -105.25