Pueblo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,162. The county seat is Pueblo. The county was named for the historic city of Pueblo which took its name from the Spanish language word meaning "town" or "village". Pueblo County comprises the Pueblo, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water.
Adjacent counties
El Paso County - north
Lincoln County - northeast
Crowley County - east
Otero County - east
Las Animas County - south
Huerfano County - southwest
Custer County - west
Fremont County - northwest
Major Highways
Interstate 25
U.S. Highway 50
U.S. Highway 85
State Highway 10
State Highway 45
State Highway 47
State Highway 78
State Highway 96
State Highway 120
State Highway 165
State Highway 167
National protected areas
San Isabel National Forest
Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness
Trails and byways
American Discovery Trail
Frontier Pathways National Scenic and Historic Byway
TransAmerica Trail Bicycle Route
Western Express Bicycle Route
Demographics
As of the Census 2007 statistical update, there were 154,712 people, 59,956 households, and 40,084 families living in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23/km2). There were 67,314 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.47% White, 1.90% Black or African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 12.93% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. 37.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 11.6% were of German, 8.8% Italian, 6.7% English, 6.6% American and 6.5% Irish ancestry.
There were 59,956 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.10% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% 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 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,283, and the median income for a family was $50,143. The per capita income for the county was $21,656. About 11.20% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Board of Pueblo County Commissioners is elected by voters to represent three individual districts within Pueblo County. The board serves as the administrative and policy-setting authority for Pueblo County.
Pueblo County is part of Colorado's 3rd congressional district and is represented by U.S. House member Lauren Boebert.
At the state level the following representatives have boundaries that cover parts of Pueblo County, President of the Colorado Senate Leroy Garcia representing Senate District 3, Larry Crowder representing Senate District 35, House Majority Caucus Chair Daneya Esgar representing District 46, Bri Buentello representing District 47 and Donald Valdez representing District 62.
Politics
Pueblo County is historically a Democratic stronghold; however, in the 2016 presidential election, the county voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump. It was brought back into the Democratic fold in the years which followed, voting for Jared Polis in the 2018 gubernatorial election and giving Joe Biden a plurality in the 2020 presidential election, although Biden's margin of victory of 1.7 percent was much reduced from Barack Obama's 14 percent margin in 2012.
Communities
City
Pueblo
Towns
Boone
Rye
Census-designated places
Avondale
Beulah Valley
Blende
Colorado City
Pueblo West
Salt Creek
Vineland
Education
School districts serving the county include:
Pueblo School District 60
Pueblo County School District 70
Edison School District 54-JT
Fowler School District R-4J
Pueblo County has thirteen high schools.
Recreation
Rosemount Museum
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center
Buell Children's Museum
El Pueblo History Museum
Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum
Steelworks Museum
Lake Pueblo State Park
Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center
Pueblo Zoo
Pueblo City Park Carousel
Arkansas River kayak course
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
Union Avenue Historic Commercial District
Pueblo City-County Library District
