Washington County, Colorado

Washington County is a county located in the eastern side of the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,817, making it the least populous “Washington County” in the United States. The county seat is Akron. The county was named in honor of the United States President George Washington.

History
Colorado State Legislature made Washington County out of larger Weld County in 1887. In 1889, Washington County's eastern half formed Yuma County. In 1903, Arapahoe County ceded its eastern portion to Washington County to create its present form.

Like many Counties in Eastern Colorado, The Great Depression affected Washington County, bringing its population down significantly. Recently growth has been stagnant.

Washington County's Eastern Colorado Roundup is home to Colorado's first home-owned carnival held on every July annually. There are activities such as rodeos, various rides, and animals to see.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2524 sqmi, of which 2518 sqmi is land and 5.9 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Logan County - northeast
 * Yuma County - east
 * Kit Carson County - southeast
 * Lincoln County - southwest
 * Adams County - west
 * Arapahoe County - west
 * Morgan County - northwest

Major highways

 * I-76 (CO).svg Interstate 76
 * US 34.svg U.S. Highway 34
 * US 36.svg U.S. Highway 36
 * Colorado 59.svg State Highway 59
 * Colorado 61.svg State Highway 61
 * Colorado 63.svg State Highway 63
 * Colorado 71.svg State Highway 71
 * Colorado 71.svg State Highway 71

Trails and byways

 * American Discovery Trail
 * South Platte Trail

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 4,926 people in 1,989 households, including 1,408 families, in the county. The population density was 2 /mi2. There were 2,307 housing units at an average density of 1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White, 0.04% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 1,989 households 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.20% of households were one person and 11.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.

The median household income was $32,431 and the median family income was $37,287. Males had a median income of $26,225 versus $21,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,788. About 8.60% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

 * Akron
 * Otis

Census Designated Place

 * Cope

Unincorporated Communities

 * Anton
 * Last Chance
 * Lindon
 * Platner
 * Rago
 * Thurman
 * Woodrow

Ghost Towns

 * Messex
 * Pinneo

Politics
Like all of the High Plains, Washington is a powerfully Republican county in Presidential elections. Among Colorado counties only Washington, Elbert and Hinsdale were carried by Barry Goldwater in 1964, and no Democratic presidential nominee has carried Washington County since Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936. The last five Republican presidential candidates have all obtained over 75 percent of Washington County's vote.

In other statewide elections, Washington County also leans Republican, although the county was carried by Democrat Roy Romer by a narrow margin in 1990 – when he carried all but three counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982 and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010.

Education
There are 5 school districts in Washington County:
 * Akron R-1
 * Arickaree R-2
 * Lone Star 101
 * Otis R-3
 * Woodlin R-104.

Akron R-1 includes:
 * Akron High School

Arickaree R-2 includes:
 * Arickaree School (all grades K-12)

Lone Star 101 includes:
 * Lone Star School (all grades K-12)

Otis R-3 includes:
 * Otis Elementary School
 * Otis Jr.-Sr. High School