Fremont County, Colorado

From Wikinfo

Fremont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of 2000, the population is 46,145. Canon City, the county seat, is the only large town in Fremont County. Historically, since territorial times Canon City has been the site of the Colorado State Penitentiary. A large portion of the prisons in Colorado remain in the area with a large complex about 5 miles east as well as the historical prison, (in prison vernacular, The Walls) on the west side of town. There are two other small towns to the east of Canon City, Penrose and Florence. Florence, site of the first oil well discovered in Colorado, is the site of a recently build Federal prison complex including a supermax prison.

To the west of Canon City the Arkansas River has cut a deep canyon through a block of upthrust rock, the Royal Gorge. There is a suspension bridge, a tourist attraction, over the Royal Gorge.

The climate in the Canon City area is mild, for the eastern slope of Colorado, and some fruit is grown there.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,973 km² (1,534 mi²). 3,970 km² (1,533 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.07% water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 46,145 people, 15,232 households, and 10,494 families residing in the county. The population density is 12/km² (30/mi²). There are 17,145 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (11/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 89.52% White, 5.34% Black or African American, 1.53% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 10.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 15,232 households out of which 30.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% are married couples living together, 9.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% are non-families. 26.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.93.

In the county the population is spread out with 20.60% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 33.40% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 133.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 143.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $34,150, and the median income for a family is $42,303. Males have a median income of $30,428 versus $23,112 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,420. 11.70% of the population and 8.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.80% are under the age of 18 and 7.40% are 65 or older.