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Mineral County, Colorado

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Mineral County, Colorado
County
The Mineral County Courthouse in Creede
The Mineral County Courthouse in Creede
Map of Colorado highlighting Mineral County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 37°41′N 106°56′W / 37.69°N 106.93°W / 37.69; -106.93
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedMarch 27, 1893
SeatCreede
Largest townCreede
Area
 • Total
878 sq mi (2,270 km2)
 • Land876 sq mi (2,270 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
865
 • Estimate 
(2025)
910 Increase
 • Density1/sq mi (0.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitemineralcounty.colorado.gov
Rio Grande below Creede, Mineral County
Bristol Head, el. 12,713 feet (3,875 meters).

Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 865,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Colorado, behind San Juan County and Hinsdale County. The county seat and only incorporated municipality in the county is Creede.[2] The county was named for the many valuable minerals found in the mountains and streams of the area.

History

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Before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, all of what is now western Colorado was occupied by the Nuche, commonly known as the Ute people.[3] In 1866, Kit Carson, Ouray, and Nicaagat negotiated a treaty that created the Ute Indian Reservation in 1868 in the western one-third of the Territory of Colorado.[4] In 1869, White prospectors, illegally trespassing on the reservation, discovered silver in the San Juan Mountains. Seeking to open the San Juan Mountains to mining, the Brunot Agreement, ratified by Congress on April 24, 1874, forced the Ute people to cede all of the San Juan Mountains.[5][6] Buoyed by renewed mining, Colorado became the 38th State on August 1 1876.[7]

In the summer of 1889, prospector Nicholas C. Creede (nee William Harvey) discovered indications of silver along Willow Creek in Saguache County, and on June 26, 1890, Creede and G.L. Smith staked the Holy Moses mining claim.[8] Several silver mining camps soon sprang up in the gulch, and the Creede Mining District was created in 1891. On May 12, 1891, the Willow, Colorado, post office opened, and on July 1, 1891, the name was changed to Creede.[9] On January 25, 1892, the Amethyst, Colorado, post office opened near the Amethyst Mine at Jimtown just 1.1 miles (1.8 km) south of the Creede post office.[9] The population of the area soon exceeded 7,000.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

The two Creedes

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In 1892, two rival municipalities named Creede were incorporated in the Creede Mining District. On March 19, 1892, the Town of Creede was incorporated around the Creede post office.[16] On June 13, 1892, the rival City of Creede was incorporated around the Amethyst post office.[16] On March 27, 1893, Mineral County was created, and on November 7, 1893, county voters selected the City of Creede as the new county seat. However, the City of Creede continued to use the Amethyst postal address.

In an attempt to avoid further confusion, the United States Post Office Department changed the name of the Creede post office to North Creede, Colorado, on November 28 1908, and changed the name of the Amethyst post office to Creede, Colorado, on February 9, 1909.

As silver mining declined, both municipalities lost population, and in 1916, the City of Creede became a statutory town, but continued to use the appellation City of Creede to distinguish itself from its northern rival.[16] On April 15, 1919, the North Creede post office closed, and the Town of Creede soon ceased operation. It was not until July 23, 2026, that the Colorado Secretary of State declared the Town of Creede abandoned.[17]

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) uses the name "Town of the City of Creede" to identify the county seat and sole surviving municipality of Mineral County.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 878 square miles (2,270 km2), of which 876 square miles (2,270 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.2%) is water.[18]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected areas

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Trails and byways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19001,913—
19101,239−35.2%
1920779−37.1%
1930640−17.8%
194097552.3%
1950698−28.4%
1960424−39.3%
197078685.4%
19808042.3%
1990558−30.6%
200083148.9%
2010712−14.3%
202086521.5%
2025 (est.)910[19] Increase5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790-1960[21] 1900-1990[22]
1990-2000[23] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 865. Of the residents, 10.6% were under the age of 18 and 34.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 56.8 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[24][25][26]

Mineral County, Colorado – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[27] Pop 2010[28] Pop 2020[29] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 793 678 775 95.43% 95.22% 89.60%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 2 0 0.00% 0.28% 0.00%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 4 4 4 0.48% 0.56% 0.46%
Asian alone (NH) 0 1 3 0.00% 0.14% 0.35%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 17 6 36 2.05% 0.84% 4.16%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17 21 47 2.05% 2.95% 5.43%
Total 831 712 865 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The racial makeup of the county was 91.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.0% from some other race, and 7.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.4% of the population.[26]

There were 424 households in the county, of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]

There were 1,215 housing units, of which 65.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.2% were owner-occupied and 19.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%.[25]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census, there were 831 people in 377 households, including 251 families, in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile (0.39 people/km2). There were 1,119 housing units at an average density of 1 units per square mile (0.39 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 0.84% Native American, 0.12% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 377 households 22.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 28.10% of households were one person and 9.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.70.

The age distribution was 20.50% under the age of 18, 4.70% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 32.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 104.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.10 males.

The median household income was $34,844 and the median family income was $40,833. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,475. About 9.30% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Mineral County has an extremely high proportion of land under federal ownership, with 95%[30] of the county under the management of the federal government (It houses an office of, and is surrounded by, the Rio Grande National Forest).[citation needed]

2015

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As of 2015 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Mineral County, Colorado are:[31]

Largest ancestries (2015)Percent
English England22.5%
German Germany19.9%
Irish Republic of Ireland13.9%
"American" United States7.5%

Politics

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Like neighboring Hinsdale County, Mineral County leans Republican. It has only voted for Democrats twice since 1968 (although heavy third-party swing had a major role to play in each). Up through 1968, it was a Democratic-leaning swing county.

United States presidential election results for Mineral County, Colorado[32][33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1896 11 1.34% 808 98.30% 3 0.36%
1900 208 22.73% 700 76.50% 7 0.77%
1904 306 33.59% 575 63.12% 30 3.29%
1908 218 29.99% 488 67.13% 21 2.89%
1912 186 28.93% 286 44.48% 171 26.59%
1916 135 29.16% 278 60.04% 50 10.80%
1920 183 49.33% 146 39.35% 42 11.32%
1924 150 46.01% 101 30.98% 75 23.01%
1928 144 41.14% 187 53.43% 19 5.43%
1932 112 29.55% 210 55.41% 57 15.04%
1936 126 30.22% 285 68.35% 6 1.44%
1940 229 45.08% 273 53.74% 6 1.18%
1944 170 52.80% 150 46.58% 2 0.62%
1948 144 42.99% 190 56.72% 1 0.30%
1952 209 67.86% 98 31.82% 1 0.32%
1956 168 62.69% 99 36.94% 1 0.37%
1960 146 47.87% 158 51.80% 1 0.33%
1964 89 30.17% 204 69.15% 2 0.68%
1968 116 43.77% 126 47.55% 23 8.68%
1972 247 70.98% 96 27.59% 5 1.44%
1976 235 55.56% 167 39.48% 21 4.96%
1980 271 60.22% 125 27.78% 54 12.00%
1984 333 72.55% 117 25.49% 9 1.96%
1988 217 55.08% 174 44.16% 3 0.76%
1992 159 35.41% 171 38.08% 119 26.50%
1996 179 40.04% 192 42.95% 76 17.00%
2000 294 60.49% 168 34.57% 24 4.94%
2004 383 61.87% 227 36.67% 9 1.45%
2008 334 53.61% 270 43.34% 19 3.05%
2012 344 52.92% 291 44.77% 15 2.31%
2016 344 52.76% 237 36.35% 71 10.89%
2020 427 56.48% 317 41.93% 12 1.59%
2024 417 55.38% 317 42.10% 19 2.52%
United States Senate election results for Mineral County, Colorado2
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020 437 57.73% 302 39.89% 18 2.38%
United States Senate election results for Mineral County, Colorado3
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2022 369 52.05% 310 43.72% 30 4.23%
Colorado Gubernatorial election results for Mineral County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2022 362 51.13% 320 45.20% 26 3.67%

Communities

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Town

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Native silver from the Bulldog Mountain Mine, Creede District. Size 4.5 x 2.6 x 0.25 cm.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Marsh, Charles S. (1982). People of the shining mountains: The Utes of Colorado. Pruett Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-87108-620-4. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  4. ↑ Gulliford, Andrew. "The Last Trail War by Robert Emmitt: Introduction" (PDF). University Press of Colorado. pp. 3, 9. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ Horn, Jonathon C. "Brunot Agreement". Colorado Encyclopedia. History Colorado. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Brunot Agreement With Ute Nation - 1874" (PDF). United States Congress. April 29, 1874. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ulysses S. Grant (August 1, 1876). "Proclamation 230—Admission of Colorado into the Union". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  8. ↑ Williams Jr., Albert (June 1892). "Creede, A New Mining Camp". The Engineering Magazine. III (3). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Publishing Co.: 324–339. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Bauer, William H.; Ozment, James L.; Willard, John H. (1990). Colorado Post Offices 1859–1989. Golden, Colorado: Colorado Railroad Historical Foundation. ISBN 0-918654-42-4.
  10. ↑ "Congress and Silver". The Illustrated American. X (108): 158. March 12, 1893. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Creede, the New Mining Town of Colorado". Scientific American. LXVI (13). New York, NY: Munn & Co.: 196–197 March 26, 1892. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  12. ↑ Hall, Frank (1895). History of the State of Colorado. Vol. IV. Chicago, IL: The Blakely Printing Company. pp. 223–225. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Creede Is A Lively Town: Thousands Rush In For Sale Of Lands" (PDF), New York Times, February 27, 1892, retrieved May 16, 2012
  14. ↑ "Creede, the New Mining Town of Colorado". Scientific American. LXVI (13). New York, NY: Munn & Company: 196–197. March 26, 1892. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Creede". The Colorado Magazine. 1 (2). Denver, CO: The Colorado Publishing Co.: 163–172 May 1893. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 Cite error: The named reference MuniIncCO was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ↑ "Department of State Issues Determination in Town Abandonment Application for Town of Creede". Colorado Secretary of State. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  18. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  19. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  20. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 31, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  25. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  26. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  27. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Mineral County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  28. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Mineral County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  29. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Mineral County, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Home | Mineral County". mineralcounty.colorado.gov. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  31. ↑ "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Election Night Reporting".

Further reading

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  • Foley, N.K. et al. (1993). Mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and paragenesis of gold, silver, and base-metal ores of the North Amethyst vein system, San Juan Mountains, Mineral County, Colorado [U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1537]. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
[edit]
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