Conejos County, Colorado
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Conejos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of 2000, the population is 8,400. The county seat is Conejos.
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History
Conejos County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Colorado legislature on November 1, 1861, although it was created as Guadalupe County and renamed Conejos a week later, on November 7. Also early in its existence, the county seat was moved from the town of Guadalupe to Conejos. The original boundaries of the county had it extend much of the southwestern corner of Colorado.
In 1874, most of the western and northern portions of the county were broken away to form parts of Hinsdale La Plata and Rio Grande counties, and Conejos County achieved its modern borders in 1885 when its western half was taken to create Archuleta County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,343 km² (1,291 mi²). 3,334 km² (1,287 mi²) of it is land and 9 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.28% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 8,400 people, 2,980 households, and 2,211 families residing in the county. The population density is 3/km² (6/mi²). There are 3,886 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (3/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 72.76% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 1.69% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 21.50% from other races, and 3.61% from two or more races. 58.92% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,980 households out of which 38.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% are married couples living together, 12.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% are non-families. 23.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.33.
In the county the population is spread out with 32.10% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $24,744, and the median income for a family is $29,066. Males have a median income of $26,351 versus $20,200 for females. The per capita income for the county is $12,050. 23.00% of the population and 18.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.20% of those under the age of 18 and 17.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
