Custer County, Colorado

Coordinates: 38°05′N 105°22′W / 38.09°N 105.36°W / 38.09; -105.36
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Custer County
County
The Westcliffe Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Westcliffe Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Official seal of Custer County
Seal
Map of Colorado highlighting Custer 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 105°22′W / 38.09°N 105.36°W / 38.09; -105.36
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 9, 1877
Named forGeorge Armstrong Custer
SeatWestcliffe
Largest townSilver Cliff
Area
 • Total740 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Land739 sq mi (1,910 km2)
 • Water1.3 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,704
 • Density6.4/sq mi (2.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitecustercountygov.com

Custer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,704.[1] The county seat is Westcliffe.[2]

History[edit]

Custer County was created by the Colorado legislature on March 9, 1877, out of the southern half of Fremont County. It was named in honor of Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who had died the previous year. Originally set in Ula, the county seat moved to Rosita in 1878, and to Silver Cliff in 1886 before settling in Westcliffe in 1928.

The county was the site of a silver rush during the 1870s. Thousands of men poured into the county during this time in the hunt for silver. Some of the notable mines include the Geyser Mine (on the north edge of the town of Silver Cliff), the Bassick Mine (near the ghost town of Querida) and the Bull Domingo (north of Silver Cliff).

During the late 19th century a railroad line was connected through the Grape Creek Canyon but was permanently closed after a few disastrous floods. The old rail house has been turned into a historical landmark in the town of Westcliffe.

After the mines were exhausted, the population dropped considerably and was replaced by cattle ranchers. An extensive system of irrigation ditches was built throughout the valley. Ranching in the Wet Mountain Valley continues to this day.

Geography[edit]

The Wet Mountain Valley of Custer County is nestled beneath the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains
The Wet Mountain Valley of Custer County is nestled beneath the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 739 square miles (1,910 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3]

The county is very rugged and would be virtually inaccessible without roads. The lowest point of the county is around 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in elevation, but most of the county is rugged and mountainous. The county seat of Westcliffe is about 7,800 feet (2,400 m) and along with nearby town Silver Cliff lies in the Wet Mountain Valley which sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west reach heights in excess of 14,000 feet (4,300 m) with Crestone Peak being the highest at 14,294 feet (4,357 m) and 7th highest fourteener in Colorado.

A large percentage of the county is National Forest land in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the west side and in the Wet Mountains on the east. The only lake of size is the DeWeese Reservoir in the north end of the Wet Mountain Valley.

Adjacent counties[edit]

Major highways[edit]

National protected areas[edit]

Bicycle trails[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18808,080—
18902,970−63.2%
19002,937−1.1%
19101,947−33.7%
19202,17211.6%
19302,124−2.2%
19402,2706.9%
19501,573−30.7%
19601,305−17.0%
19701,120−14.2%
19801,52836.4%
19901,92626.0%
20003,50381.9%
20104,25521.5%
20204,70410.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790-1960[5] 1900-1990[6]
1990-2000[7] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 3,503 people, 1,480 households, and 1,077 families living in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.89% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,480 households, out of which 25.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% were married couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 35.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 104.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,731, and the median income for a family was $41,198. Males had a median income of $32,460 versus $20,868 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,817. About 9.80% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Median household income (adjusted for inflation) dropped from $49,184 in 2009 to $32,261 in 2014, which made the county the third worst performing county in this respect in the country.[9]

Government[edit]

The county is governed by three county commissioners who are elected to 4-year terms with a term limit of two. In 2023, the county was represented by:

-District 1: Bill Canda (Republican), serving from 2022 to 2026. 2nd term

-District 2: Kevin Day (Republican), serving from 2020 to 2024. 1st term.

-District 3: Lucas Epp (Republican), serving from 2020 to 2024. 1st term.

There are several other public offices including Coroner, Sheriff, County Clerk and others. Updated by the IT department of Custer County

[10]

Politics[edit]

Custer County is overall very conservative and heavily Republican. The most important election is not the general election, but the primary election between members of the Republican Party in August. During the 2004 presidential election, well over 60% of Custer County voters voted for the Republican candidates including George W. Bush and Pete Coors.

United States presidential election results for Custer County, Colorado[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,474 68.06% 1,112 30.59% 49 1.35%
2016 2,061 67.22% 797 25.99% 208 6.78%
2012 1,788 65.86% 868 31.97% 59 2.17%
2008 1,672 63.60% 912 34.69% 45 1.71%
2004 1,657 68.25% 739 30.44% 32 1.32%
2000 1,451 68.74% 507 24.02% 153 7.25%
1996 920 58.90% 412 26.38% 230 14.72%
1992 651 47.35% 343 24.95% 381 27.71%
1988 753 69.46% 310 28.60% 21 1.94%
1984 832 76.12% 241 22.05% 20 1.83%
1980 674 66.73% 231 22.87% 105 10.40%
1976 491 62.39% 259 32.91% 37 4.70%
1972 495 71.43% 154 22.22% 44 6.35%
1968 433 60.47% 204 28.49% 79 11.03%
1964 358 46.68% 406 52.93% 3 0.39%
1960 509 61.85% 314 38.15% 0 0.00%
1956 534 66.83% 264 33.04% 1 0.13%
1952 662 73.64% 231 25.70% 6 0.67%
1948 547 58.01% 384 40.72% 12 1.27%
1944 601 63.73% 333 35.31% 9 0.95%
1940 685 57.37% 495 41.46% 14 1.17%
1936 526 43.11% 674 55.25% 20 1.64%
1932 413 34.45% 729 60.80% 57 4.75%
1928 600 58.88% 389 38.17% 30 2.94%
1924 429 44.41% 281 29.09% 256 26.50%
1920 560 63.28% 289 32.66% 36 4.07%
1916 403 41.38% 529 54.31% 42 4.31%
1912 347 34.98% 510 51.41% 135 13.61%
1908 499 46.94% 555 52.21% 9 0.85%
1904 587 48.47% 612 50.54% 12 0.99%
1900 510 36.93% 870 63.00% 1 0.07%
1896 167 14.41% 986 85.07% 6 0.52%
1892 296 43.27% 0 0.00% 388 56.73%
1888 574 60.10% 374 39.16% 7 0.73%
1884 812 58.67% 567 40.97% 5 0.36%
1880 1,297 54.18% 1,061 44.32% 36 1.50%

Despite the surface appearance of a homogeneous political culture, there is considerable dispute among residents over planning. One segment of residents (which includes ranchers) would like to see the County preserved in its present state as a mountain paradise with its rural ranching culture, with strict limitation on development. Proponents are sometimes seen as "anti-growth" and "anti-property rights." Another segment of the population would like to see less government and less restrictions on growth and development for the growth of business and the economy. Proponents are seen as "anti-environment" or "anti-agriculture."

Communities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Ghost towns[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  5. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "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 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  9. ^ "See How Well Your Neighbors Have Recovered from the Recession".
  10. ^ Officialwebpage - http://www.custercountygov.com/index.php?pg=commissioners
  11. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.

External links[edit]

38°05′N 105°22′W / 38.09°N 105.36°W / 38.09; -105.36

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