Saguache County, Colorado

Saguache County (suh-WATCH /səˈwɑːtʃ/ ⓘ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado.[lower-alpha 1][1][2] As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,368.[3] The county seat is Saguache.[4]

Saguache County
County
Entering Saguache County from the north on U.S. 285
Entering Saguache County from the north on U.S. 285
Official seal of Saguache County
Seal
Map of Colorado highlighting Saguache County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Map of the United States highlighting Colorado
Colorado's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°05′N 106°18′W
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedDecember 29, 1866
SeatSaguache
Largest townCenter
Area
 • Total3,170 sq mi (8,200 km2)
 • Land3,169 sq mi (8,210 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.05%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,368
 • Density2.0/sq mi (0.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitesaguachecounty.colorado.gov

History

Saguache County was formed December 29, 1866 in the Territory of Colorado when it was extracted from the northern half of Costilla County. A partition from Lake County on February 9, 1872, added the northwest section of the present-day county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,170 square miles (8,200 km2), of which 3,169 square miles (8,210 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.05%) is water.[5] It is the 7th largest of Colorado's 64 counties.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Trails and byways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870304—
18801,973549.0%
18903,31367.9%
19003,85316.3%
19104,1608.0%
19204,63811.5%
19306,25034.8%
19406,173−1.2%
19505,664−8.2%
19604,473−21.0%
19703,827−14.4%
19803,9352.8%
19904,61917.4%
20005,91728.1%
20106,1083.2%
20206,3684.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[3]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 5,917 people, 2,300 households, and 1,557 families living in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km2). There were 3,087 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.29% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 2.06% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 23.00% from other races, and 3.08% from two or more races. 45.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,300 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,495, and the median income for a family was $29,405. Males had a median income of $25,158 versus $18,862 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,121. About 18.70% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Like many Colorado counties with a strong Hispanic presence, Saguache leans Democratic in Presidential elections. The last Republican to carry the county was Ronald Reagan in 1984.

United States presidential election results for Saguache County, Colorado[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,413 41.69% 1,884 55.59% 92 2.71%
2016 1,147 40.46% 1,417 49.98% 271 9.56%
2012 964 32.88% 1,865 63.61% 103 3.51%
2008 956 34.76% 1,730 62.91% 64 2.33%
2004 1,163 41.49% 1,594 56.87% 46 1.64%
2000 1,078 42.63% 1,145 45.27% 306 12.10%
1996 712 36.48% 969 49.64% 271 13.88%
1992 675 31.05% 1,011 46.50% 488 22.45%
1988 945 46.94% 1,033 51.32% 35 1.74%
1984 1,201 57.63% 867 41.60% 16 0.77%
1980 1,124 52.65% 893 41.83% 118 5.53%
1976 1,094 49.50% 1,059 47.92% 57 2.58%
1972 1,062 63.18% 578 34.38% 41 2.44%
1968 824 52.45% 648 41.25% 99 6.30%
1964 622 36.06% 1,099 63.71% 4 0.23%
1960 956 49.05% 984 50.49% 9 0.46%
1956 1,149 58.03% 823 41.57% 8 0.40%
1952 1,344 65.08% 714 34.58% 7 0.34%
1948 914 47.19% 1,009 52.09% 14 0.72%
1944 1,204 62.13% 729 37.62% 5 0.26%
1940 1,462 55.57% 1,142 43.41% 27 1.03%
1936 1,071 43.79% 1,321 54.01% 54 2.21%
1932 931 37.88% 1,427 58.06% 100 4.07%
1928 1,491 62.62% 854 35.87% 36 1.51%
1924 1,205 58.33% 591 28.61% 270 13.07%
1920 1,195 60.32% 717 36.19% 69 3.48%
1916 681 34.22% 1,254 63.02% 55 2.76%
1912 730 36.37% 859 42.80% 418 20.83%

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated Communities

National Register of Historic Places
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Saguache County, Colorado

Saguache County has nine locations listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

See also

Notes
  1. The name "Saguache" is pronounced /səˈwætʃ/. This name comes from the Ute language noun "sawup" /səˈwʌp/ meaning "sand dunes". The Spanish language version of this name is usually spelled "Saguache", while the English language version is usually spelled "Sawatch".

References
  1. Merkl, Dameon (February 26, 2013), "What's in a Colorado name pronunciation?", The Denver Post, retrieved March 7, 2013
  2. Benson, Maxine (1994). 1001 Colorado Place Names. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 0-7006-0632-7.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Forest Service issues management plan for Baca Mountain Tract:" Creation of Great Sand Dunes National Park gave 14,000-acre parcel to Forest Service." article by Matt Hildner in The Pueblo Chieftain November 14, 2009, Updated May 11, 2010, accessed August 30, 2010
  7. Hiking and Backpacking accessed July 16, 2010
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

Further reading
  • Lindsey, D.A. et al. (1985). Mineral resources of the Black Canyon and South Piney Creek Wilderness Study Areas, Saguache County, Colorado [U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1716-A]. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

38.08°N 106.30°W / 38.08; -106.30

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