Costilla County, Colorado | |
Location in the state of Colorado |
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Colorado's location in the U.S. |
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Founded | November 1, 1861 |
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Named for | Costilla River |
Seat | San Luis |
Largest town | San Luis |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,230.44 sq mi (3,187 km²) 1,227.10 sq mi (3,178 km²) 3.34 sq mi (9 km²), 0.27% |
Population - (2000) - Density |
3,663 3/sq mi (1/km²) |
Time zone | Mountain: UTC-7/-6 |
Website | www.costillacounty-co.gov |
Footnotes:
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Costilla County is the ninth least populous of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,663 at U.S. Census 2000.[1] The county seat is San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.
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Costilla County was the first area of Colorado to be settled by European-Americans. Hispanic settlers from Taos, New Mexico, officially established San Luis on April 9, 1851. Costilla County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Territory of Colorado on November 1, 1861. The county was named for the Costilla River. Although San Miguel was originally designated the county seat, the county government was moved to San Luis in 1863.
The county's original boundaries had the county extend over much of south-central Colorado. Much of the northern portion became part of Saguache County in 1866, and the western portions were folded into Hinsdale and Rio Grande counties in 1874. Costilla County arrived at its modern boundaries in 1913 when Alamosa County was created from its northwest portions.[2]
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1,230.44 square miles (3,186.8 km2), of which 1,227.10 square miles (3,178.2 km2) (or 99.73%) is land and 3.34 square miles (8.7 km2) (or 0.27%) is water.[3]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,663 people, 1,503 households, and 1,029 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.91% White, 0.79% Black or African American, 2.48% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 29.46% from other races, and 5.21% from two or more races. 67.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,503 households out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $19,531, and the median income for a family was $25,509. Males had a median income of $22,390 versus $16,121 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,748. About 21.30% of families and 26.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.40% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.
Costilla County tends to favor the Democratic candidate in Presidential elections. The last Republican to carry the county was Calvin Coolidge in 1924.[5] In the last five Presidential elections the Democratic candidate has consistently received over 60% of the county's vote and occasionally won over 70% of it.[6]
It is part of Colorado's 3rd congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+5 and is represented by Republican Scott Tipton. In the Colorado Senate it is in District 5 and is represented by Gail Schwartz. In the Colorado House of Representatives it is in District 62 and is represented by Democrat Edward Vigil.
Alamosa County | Huerfano County | |||
Conejos County | Las Animas County | |||
Costilla County, Colorado | ||||
Taos County, New Mexico | Colfax County, New Mexico |
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