Bent County, Colorado

Bent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,650. The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Las Animas. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent.

History
As Colorado experienced population growth following the American Civil War, government had to be closer to the people for commerce and justice to be better served in growing communities. Territorial Bent County was created in February 1870, followed by Greenwood County the following month. The June 1, 1870, Federal Census was several months away and there were plans to apply for statehood. On February 2, 1874, Grand County and Elbert County were formed. On February 6, 1874, Greenwood County was dissolved and divided between Bent and Elbert counties. At the time of this annexation, Bent County included a large portion of southeastern Colorado. In 1889, Bent County acquired its current borders when it was partitioned to create Cheyenne, Lincoln, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers counties.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1541 sqmi, of which 1513 sqmi is land and 28 sqmi (1.8%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Kiowa County - north
 * Prowers County - east
 * Baca County - southeast
 * Las Animas County - southwest
 * Otero County - west

Major highways

 * US 50.svg U.S. Highway 50
 * Colorado 101.svg State Highway 101
 * Colorado 109.svg State Highway 109
 * Colorado 194.svg State Highway 194
 * Colorado 196.svg State Highway 196

State protected area

 * John Martin Reservoir State Park

Trails and byway

 * American Discovery Trail
 * Santa Fe National Historic Trail
 * Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 5,998 people, 2,003 households, and 1,388 families in the county. The population density was 4 /sqmi. There were 2,366 housing units at an average density of 2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 79.53% White, 3.65% Black or African American, 2.23% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 10.25% from other races, and 3.77% from two or more races. 30.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,003 households 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.20% of households were one person and 12.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 129.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 138.70 males.

The median household income was $28,125 and the median family income was $34,096. Males had a median income of $22,755 versus $24,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,567. About 16.60% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.40% of those under age 18 and 13.00% of those age 65 or over.

Census-designated places

 * Hasty
 * McClave

Politics
Bent is a strongly Republican county, although it is less so than the counties to its east. The last Democrat to carry Bent County was Bill Clinton in 1996, although Michael Dukakis in 1988 was the last to gain a majority.

Cities

 * Las Animas

Unincorporated places

 * Able
 * Boggsville
 * Caddoa
 * Fort Lyon
 * Hasty
 * Marlman
 * McClave
 * Melina
 * Ninaview
 * Prowers