La Plata County is the fourteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" is the Spanish language word for "silver". The United States Census Bureau estimated that the county population was 47,936 in 2006, a 9.09% increase since U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Durango, and the Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area comprises La Plata County.

The county is home to Durango Rock Shelters, the type site for the Basketmaker II period of Anasazi culture.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,700 square miles (4,403 km²), of which, 1,692 square miles (4,383 km²) of it is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.46% water.

Adjacent counties

• San Juan County, Colorado - north
• Hinsdale County, Colorado - northeast
• Archuleta County, Colorado - east
• San Juan County, New Mexico - south
• Montezuma County, Colorado - west
• Dolores County, Colorado - northwest

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 43,941 people in the county, organized into 17,342 households and 10,890 families. The population density is 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There are 20,765 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 87.31% White, 5.78% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.90% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 10.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 17,342 households out of which 29.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.90% are married couples living together, 8.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.20% are non-families. 24.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.92.

In the county the population is spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 103.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $40,159, and the median income for a family is $50,446. Males have a median income of $32,486 versus $24,666 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,534. 11.70% of the population and 6.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.30% of those under the age of 18 and 7.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Towns

• Bayfield
• Bondad
• Breen
• Durango
• Falfa
• Gem Village
• Hermosa
• Hesperus
• Ignacio
• Oxford
• Redmesa
• Tiffany

National forest and wilderness

• San Juan National Forest
• Weminuche Wilderness

National historic district

• Durango-Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad National Historic District

Trails

• Colorado Trail
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Bicycle route

• Great Parks Bicycle Route

Scenic byway

• San Juan Skyway National Scenic Byway

See also

• Colorado census statistical areas
• Colorado counties
• Colorado municipalities
• Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area

References

External links

• La Plata County Government website
• La Plata County State Register properties
• Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
• Colorado Historical Society
• La Plata County Central Reservations
• Access Durango, Colorado Community Portal