Red Cliff, Colorado

Red Cliff (sometimes spelled Redcliff) is a town located in Eagle County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 289. The town is a former mining camp that has staged a modest recovery in recent years as a low-key counterculture mountain community. It is situated in the canyon of the upper Eagle River just off U.S. Highway 24 north of Tennessee Pass. The town site is somewhat concealed from the highway (which passes over the Red Cliff Truss Bridge near the town [1] (http://bridges.midwestplaces.com/co/eagle/red-cliff-truss/)) and is accessible by a side road that leads up to Shrine Pass in the Sawatch Range. It was founded in 1879 during the early days of the Colorado Silver Boom by miners from Leadville who came over Tennessee Pass scouting for better prospects. The name derives from the red quartzite cliffs surrounding the town. As the first white community in the Eagle Valley, it served temporarily as the the first county seat of Eagle County (formed out of Summit County in 1883) until the relocation of the county seat to Eagle in 1921.

The town today consists of a cluster of older homes and converted trailers on the flanks of the canyon around the river, as well as a post office, a historic church and numerous older wooden structures along the main street of the town. Several of the older structures have been converted in recent years into modern businesses, including a restaurant. The town is located within easy driving driving distance of nearby ski areas and the revival of the town has given rise to a new inn housed in one of the downtown structures, as well as newer upscale construction on the hillsides above town.

In winter, the town also serves as an popular access point to Shrine Pass for cross-country skiers. In recent years, a car shuttle has operated between the town and nearby Vail, allowing visitors to Vail easy access to the pass.

Geography

Red Cliff is located at 39°30'38" North, 106°22'24" West (39.510570, -106.373458)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²). 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 289 people, 109 households, and 68 families residing in the town. The population density is 485.1/km² (1,256.4/mi²). There are 122 housing units at an average density of 204.8/km² (530.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 62.98% White, 0.69% African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 32.87% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. 61.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 109 households out of which 26.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% are married couples living together, 9.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% are non-families. 22.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.16.

In the town the population is spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 124.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 126.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $50,104, and the median income for a family is $44,219. Males have a median income of $35,694 versus $30,750 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,864. 9.8% of the population and 6.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.5% of those under the age of 18 and 31.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

Template:Commonscat Template:Mapit-US-cityscale

• Eagle County History (http://www.eaglecounty.us/lifestyle/new/history.cfm)