Gilpin County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 150 square miles (390 km2), of which 150 square miles (390 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.2%) is water. It is the second-smallest county by area in Colorado.

Adjacent counties

Boulder – north

Jefferson – east

Clear Creek – south

Grand – west

Major highways

State Highway 46

State Highway 72

State Highway 119

Central City Parkway

National protected areas

Arapaho National Forest

James Peak Wilderness

Roosevelt National Forest

State protected area

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Scenic trail and byway

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,808. Of the residents, 15.4% were under the age of 18 and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 47.7 years. For every 100 females there were 112.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 115.6 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 87.4% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 7.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.5% of the population.

There were 2,608 households in the county, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 18.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,516 housing units, of which 25.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.4% were owner-occupied and 19.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.1%.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 4,757 people, 2,043 households, and 1,264 families in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 2,929 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.37% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 1.53% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. 4.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,043 households 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.10% were non-families. 26.80% of households were one person and 3.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81.

The age distribution was 21.10% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 37.40% from 25 to 44, 30.00% from 45 to 64, and 5.70% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 112.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.10 males.

The median household income was $51,942 and the median family income was $61,859. Males had a median income of $38,560 versus $30,820 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,148. About 1.00% of families and 4.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.40% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Black Hawk

Central City

Census-designated places

Coal Creek (also in Boulder and Jefferson counties)

Rollinsville

Other

Nevadaville

Russell Gulch

Historic district

Central City/Black Hawk Historic District