Chaffee County, Colorado
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Chaffee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of 2000, the population is 16,242. The county seat is Salida6.
History
Chaffee County was created by the Colorado legislature on February 10, 1879 out of southern Lake County (although at the time, Lake County was known as Carbonate County, a designation which lasted for only two days). It is known as the Heart of the Rockies. It was named for Jerome Chaffee, Colorado's first United States Senator.Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,629 km² (1,015 mi²). 2,625 km² (1,013 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.15%) is water.Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 16,242 people, 6,584 households, and 4,365 families residing in the county. The population density was 6/km² (16/mi²). There were 8,392 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (8/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.94% White, 1.58% Black or African American, 1.09% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.21% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. 8.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 6,584 households out of which 25.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 113.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,368, and the median income for a family was $42,043. Males had a median income of $30,770 versus $22,219 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,430. About 7.40% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
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