Grand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,717. The county seat is Hot Sulphur Springs.

History

When Grand County was created February 2, 1874 it was carved out of Summit County and contained land to the western and northern borders of the state, which is in present-day Moffat County and Routt County. It was named after Grand Lake and the Grand River, an old name for the upper Colorado River, which has its headwaters in the county. On January 29, 1877, Routt County was created and Grand County shrunk down to its current western boundary. When valuable minerals were found in North Park, Grand County claimed the area as part of its county, a claim Larimer County also held. It took a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1886 to declare North Park part of Larimer County, setting Grand County's northern boundary.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Larimer County - northeast

Gilpin County - east

Boulder County - east

Clear Creek County - southeast

Summit County - south

Eagle County - southwest

Jackson County - north

Routt County - west

Major Highways

U.S. Highway 34

U.S. Highway 40

State Highway 9

State Highway 125

State Highway 134

National protected areas

Arapaho National Forest

Arapaho National Recreation Area

Byers Peak Wilderness

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Never Summer Wilderness

Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness

Rocky Mountain National Park

Routt National Forest

Sarvis Creek Wilderness

Vasquez Peak Wilderness

Bicycle routes

Great Parks Bicycle Route

TransAmerica Trail Bicycle Route

Scenic byways

Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway

Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 12,442 people in 5,075 households, including 3,217 families, in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 10,894 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.15% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.8% were of German, 12.6% Irish, 10.0% English and 7.3% American ancestry.

Of the 5,075 households 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.60% were non-families. 24.80% of households were one person and 4.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.85.

The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.70 males.

The median household income was $47,759 and the median family income was $55,217. Males had a median income of $34,861 versus $26,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,198. About 5.40% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.