La Plata County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, La Plata County, CO, has a population of approximately 56,221. The racial composition is predominantly White (85.6%), with Native American (6.1%), Hispanic or Latino (13.4%), and other races making up the remainder. The median age is 38.3 years, and there are about 23,256 households. The median household income is around $64,038, with a poverty rate of approximately 11.3%. La Plata County's principal city is Durango.

As of 2023, La Plata County, CO has a median home price of approximately $500,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,200 per month. Housing inventory is relatively low, contributing to competitive market conditions. The county has experienced a year-over-year home value increase of about 8%. The vacancy rate stands at roughly 2%, indicating a tight housing market. Property taxes average 0.40% of the home's assessed value, and the area boasts a homeownership rate of approximately 66%.

La Plata County, CO held its most recent election on November 8, 2022. Key races included:

1. U.S. House of Representatives, District 3:

   • Lauren Boebert (R): 162,040 votes
   • Adam Frisch (D): 160,918 votes

2. Colorado State House, District 59:

   • Barbara McLachlan (D): 16,389 votes
   • Paul Jones (R): 13,685 votes

3. County Commissioner, District 1:

   • Clyde Church (D): 12,765 votes
   • Brad Blake (U): 10,578 votes

4. County Commissioner, District 2:

   • Marsha Porter-Norton (D): 13,157 votes
   • No Republican candidate

5. Various local offices and ballot measures, including school board positions and tax propositions.

Voter turnout was approximately 71% of the county's eligible voters. For more detailed results and upcoming election dates, visit the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder's official website.

La Plata County, CO, exhibits a high level of educational attainment. Approximately 95.6% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 88.6% and the Colorado state average of 92.8%. Furthermore, about 48.3% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly surpassing the national average of 34.3% and the Colorado state average of 42.3%. La Plata County also has a robust higher education presence with Fort Lewis College in Durango, contributing to the educated workforce. These figures highlight the county's strong emphasis on education relative to both state and national benchmarks.

As of the latest data for La Plata County, CO, the total employment stands at roughly 30,000 individuals. Key industries include healthcare and social assistance (employing about 16.8% of the workforce), education services (12.5%), and retail trade (11.2%).

In comparison to national averages, the healthcare sector is slightly more concentrated in La Plata County. For instance, nationally, healthcare employs around 14% of the workforce. Colorado's state data highlights a similar trend, though with slight variations: healthcare (14.8%), professional services (12.3%), and retail trade (11.1%).

Overall, the employment distribution in La Plata County aligns closely with both national and state figures, although there's a higher emphasis on healthcare within the county.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in La Plata County, Colorado, is approximately $68,000. This figure is somewhat higher than the national median household income of around $67,500 but falls below Colorado's state median household income, which is about $75,000.

It's important to note that these figures can vary based on the source and the year of the data. La Plata County's median income is competitive locally and significantly above much of rural America, evidencing a relatively comfortable economic status for its residents.

As of the most recent data, La Plata County in Colorado has a crime rate that's relatively moderate compared to state and national averages. Here are the key statistics per 1,000 residents:

Violent crime, which includes offenses like assault and robbery, stands at 2.5 per 1,000 residents, while property crime, including burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft, is more prevalent with a rate of 18.0 per 1,000 residents. The relatively low homicide rate is reassuring for residents' safety.

Note: These rates are derived from the latest available law enforcement data and may fluctuate over time.