Arapahoe County, Colorado
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| Arapahoe County, Colorado | |
| Map | |
| Image:Map of Colorado highlighting Arapahoe County.svg Location in the state of Colorado | |
| Statistics | |
| Formed | November 1, 1861 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Littleton |
| Area - Total - Land - Water | 2,086 km² (805 mi²) 2,080 km² (803 mi²) 6 km² (2 mi²), 0.28% |
| Population - (2000) - Density | 487,967 235/km² |
| Website: www.co.arapahoe.co.us | |
Arapahoe County is the third most populous county of the State of Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 529,090 in 2005, an 8.43% increase since 2000.<ref name=popest>Population Estimates by County: Colorado (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (March 15 2006). Retrieved on November 24, 2006.</ref> The county seat is Littleton and the most populous city is Aurora.
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[edit] History
Arapahoe County was one of the original 17 Colorado counties created on November 1, 1861, shortly after the creation of the Colorado Territory. The original Arapahoe County extended east to the Kansas border and north to the Parallel 40° North (168th Avenue), and included all of the present Arapahoe County and Adams County, almost all of the present City and County of Denver, and parts of the present Washington County, Yuma County, and the City and County of Broomfield.
Adams County was carved out of the northern part of Arapahoe County in 1901, and its eastern portions were transferred to Washington and Yuma counties in 1903. Denver was the Arapahoe County Seat until the consolidated City and County of Denver was created in 1902. The Arapahoe County Seat moved to its present location in Littleton. Two exclaves of Arapahoe County remain entirely surrounded by Denver; one of them constitutes the City of Glendale.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,086 km² (805 mi²). 2,080 km² (803 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.28%) is water. The county measures 72 miles (116 kilometers) east to west and 4 to 12 miles (6 to 19 kilometers) south to north.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- City and County of Denver - northwest and exclaves
- Adams County, Colorado - north
- Washington County, Colorado - east
- Lincoln County, Colorado - southeast
- Elbert County, Colorado - south
- Douglas County, Colorado - southwest
- Jefferson County, Colorado - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 235/km² (608/mi²). There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 95/km² (245/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.93% White, 7.67% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 3.95% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.51% from other races, and 3.16% from two or more races. 11.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 190,909 households out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 33.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,570, and the median income for a family was $63,875. Males had a median income of $41,601 versus $31,612 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,147. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Aurora
- Bennett
- Bow Mar
- Centennial (created mostly from Southglenn and Castlewood CDPs)
- Cherry Hills Village
- Columbine Valley
- Deer Trail
- Englewood
- Foxfield
- Glendale
- Greenwood Village
- Littleton
- Sheridan
- Watkins
[edit] Formerly Unincorporated Census Designated Places
- Castlewood (now part of Centennial)
- Southglenn (now part of Centennial)
[edit] References
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