Colorado census & demographics thread

Cirrus · #1 Posted: **Feb 18, 2011, 9:21 PM**

Hi everyone. Since we're talking about the census in multiple threads and it's all starting to overlap, I'm just going to move the posts into this one.

Eeyore · #2 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:26 AM**

So I hear where El Paso county is the largest county in the state population wise. I can't find the numbers but if that is true congratulations to El Paso county.

bunt_q · #3 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:46 AM**

Congratulations? Not the word I would use.

El Paso and Denver counties switched back and forth in the estimates a few times over the last few years. But I think El Paso County is probably out in front to stay now, unless Arapahoe County catches up.

Here's the link - http://2010.census.gov/news/xls/cb11...010redistr.xls

PLANSIT · #4 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:53 AM**

El Paso County

Source

City and County of Denver

Source

Bigger isn't always better.

Cirrus · #5 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:58 AM**

It so happens that the Census released Colorado data today. You can find it HERE.

And you're right!

Here are counties >100,000

Code:

1. El Paso	622,263
2. Denver	600,158
3. Araphahoe	572,003
4. Jefferson	534,543
5. Adams	441,603
6. Larimer	299,630
7. Boulder	294,567
8. Douglas	285,465
9. Weld		252,825
10. Pueblo	159,063
11. Mesa	146,723

And cities >100,000.

Code:

1. Denver	600,158
2. Colo Sprgs	416,427
3. Aurora	325,078
4. Fort Collins	143,986
5. Lakewood	142,980
6. Thronton	118,772
7. Pueblo	106,595
8. Arvada	106,433
9. Westminster	106,114
10. Centennial	100,337

Fort Collins passes Lakewood for #4.

Pueblo passes Arvada, but stays at #7 because Thornton jumps way up.

Boulder drops out of the top 10 completely, and is finding itself within strinking range by Longmont. By the next census, Boulder may well no longer be the biggest city in Boulder County.

bunt_q · #6 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 4:02 AM**

I already added 2020 to my spreadsheet, because yes, I am a dork.

If this past decade's growth rates stay the same, Longmont will pass Boulder before 2020.

Odds are good that Arapahoe County will pass Denver County too... but that's no big deal.

EDIT: It's somewhat disturbing that only half the growth in El Paso County was inside the City of Colorado Springs. It isn't like Colorado Springs is terribly conservative with its annexations. That is some serious sprawlage.

Eeyore · #7 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 4:37 AM**

2020 should be interesting to see how things change in Colorado.

rds70 · #8 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 5:23 AM**

Metro area populations:

Denver-Boulder-Greeley: 3,090,874
Colo. Springs: 645,613
Ft. Collins-Loveland: 299,630
Pueblo: 159,063
Grand Jct: 146,723

Change from 2000:

Denver-Boulder-Greeley: 460,894
Colo. Springs: 108,129
Ft. Collins-Loveland: 48,136
Pueblo: 17,591
Grand Jct: 30,468

Paulopolis · #9 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 1:40 PM**

Denver didn't grow quite as rapidly as anticipated. And Colorado Springs grew much more quickly than the estimates suggested. Ugh, sad.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_17462252

bunt_q · #10 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 1:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulopolis

Denver didn't grow quite as rapidly as anticipated. And Colorado Springs grew much more quickly than the estimates suggested. Ugh, sad.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_17462252

I thought the numbers were pretty good. In raw numbers, Denver grew almost as much as Aurora, and only 10k less than CS. Not bad for being landlocked. It's all of the El Paso County growth that's not in CS - another 50k - that is sad. It's the 100k people in Douglas County that's sad.

enjo13 · #11 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:12 PM**

A BIG chunk of that in Colorado Springs is the ever increasing size of the Air Base down there.

wong21fr · #12 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 3:27 PM**

^The AFB's haven't grown THAT much. It's the return of the 4th ID to Fort Carson that the real driver, that more than doubled the size of the post.

However, the contractor bonanza that has occurred for all services over the last decade is likely an equal impact.

EngiNerd · #13 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 4:03 PM**

Yes that is true.

Click on CO, and you can roll over all the counties to see their populations.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/

and here is an article about it:

http://www.9news.com/news/article/18...ower-does-too-

edit: I see everyone else posted too, oh well.

EngiNerd · #14 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 4:16 PM**

Gotta love Centennial, from nothing to incorporated with 100k people in 2010.

bunt_q · #15 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 4:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjo13

A BIG chunk of that in Colorado Springs is the ever increasing size of the Air Base down there.

Less than 14,000 troops were added at Ft. Carson. That's a lot, but it still means 36k folks in "suburban" Colorado Springs, outside city limits, most of it north. Added to the 100k in Douglas County...it's a good thing we bought the Greenland Ranch when we could. I'm not sure how much longer we can add 150k per decade between Colo Spgs and the south end of the metro area before we really do grow into one giant sprawl.

Redistricting will be interesting. Not sure how much longer there will only be two safe Republican seats (5th/6th), before the excess starts really affecting the 3rd and/or the 7th. Probably the 3rd. The 5th District (Colorado Springs) is going to have to shed 80,000 people, roughly. Considering the growth in Douglas County, I am not sure how much of that can move north (unless the 7th picks some up). The 4th grew plenty on its own, so it can't absorb much. Most likely, I think, those folks get shifted to the 3rd District, which didn't grow much. Add 80,000 Colo. Spgs folks to the 3rd.... not only will that swamp Pueblo and its anemic growth, it may turn the 3rd into a third safe seat for Republicans. But that might be the best approach for Dems, if the 7th and 4th can be kept competitive.

EDIT: 2nd (Boulder) can absorb some too, but where to take them from...?

wong21fr · #16 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 5:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

Less than 14,000 troops were added at Ft. Carson. That's a lot, but it still means 36k folks in "suburban" Colorado Springs, outside city limits, most of it north. Added to the 100k in Douglas County...it's a good thing we bought the Greenland Ranch when we could. I'm not sure how much longer we can add 150k per decade between Colo Spgs and the south end of the metro area before we really do grow into one giant sprawl.

The north end of COS certainly exploded, but look at Fountain as well. 70% growth from 15K to 25K? Wow.

Brainpathology · #17 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 5:40 PM**

How much of Denver's growth was in new and old Airport land? It's tempting for me to congratulate Denver on becoming more dense but I don't really think thats the main thing happening.

Cirrus · #18 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 5:59 PM**

^
That's a good point, but I imagine downtown is growing too. A lot of land-locked cities that declined for decades are growing again.

bunt_q · #19 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainpathology

How much of Denver's growth was in new and old Airport land? It's tempting for me to congratulate Denver on becoming more dense but I don't really think thats the main thing happening.

Well, of the 45k Denver added, at least one-fifth of those are at Stapleton.

Not sure about Green Valley Ranch and how many folks live out there.

Teshadoh · #20 Posted: **Feb 24, 2011, 6:04 PM**

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to chat census stats folks - even though I work for a geographic software company, I think I'm the only actual 'geography' person here.

I don't have time for prettied up maps, but I would love to share some new 2010 Block-level population maps. Below is the Denver metro area in population per square mile.
Dark green < 250
Light green 250-1000
Yellow 1000-5000
Orange 5000-10000
Red > 10000