Custer County was created by the Colorado legislature on March 9, 1877, out of the southern half ofFremont County. It was named in honor of Lt. ColonelGeorge Armstrong Custer, who had died the previous year. Originally set inUla, the county seat moved toRosita in 1878, and toSilver Cliff in 1886 before settling inWestcliffe in 1928.
The county was the site of asilver rush during the 1870s. Thousands of men poured into the county during this time in the hunt for silver. Some of the notable mines include the Geyser Mine (on the north edge of the town of Silver Cliff), the Bassick Mine (near the ghost town ofQuerida) and the Bull Domingo (north of Silver Cliff).
During the late 19th century a railroad line was connected through the Grape Creek Canyon but was permanently closed after a few disastrous floods. The old rail house has been turned into a historical landmark in the town of Westcliffe.
After the mines were exhausted, the population dropped considerably and was replaced by cattle ranchers. An extensive system of irrigation ditches was built throughout the valley. Ranching in the Wet Mountain Valley continues to this day.
The Wet Mountain Valley of Custer County is nestled beneath the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 739 square miles (1,910 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]
The county is very rugged and would be virtually inaccessible without roads. The lowest point of the county is around 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in elevation, but most of the county is rugged and mountainous. The county seat ofWestcliffe is about 7,800 feet (2,400 m) and along with nearby townSilver Cliff lies in theWet Mountain Valley which sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west reach heights in excess of 14,000 feet (4,300 m) withCrestone Peak being the highest at 14,294 feet (4,357 m) and 7th highestfourteener inColorado.
A large percentage of the county is National Forest land in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the west side and in theWet Mountains on the east. The only lake of size is theDeWeese Reservoir in the north end of the Wet Mountain Valley.
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 4,704. Of the residents, 15.1% were under the age of 18 and 33.8% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 58.3 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.2 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[10][11]
Custer 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.
There were 2,219 households in the county, of which 16.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 4,175 housing units, of which 46.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.4% were owner-occupied and 17.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.0%.[11]
As of the2000 census, there were 3,503 people, 1,480 households, and 1,077 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5 units/km2).[16]
There were 1,480 households, out of which 25.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% weremarried couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 35.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 104.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,731, and the median income for a family was $41,198. Males had a median income of $32,460 versus $20,868 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $19,817. About 9.80% of families and 13.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.
Median household income (adjusted for inflation) dropped from $49,184 in 2009 to $32,261 in 2014, which made the county the third worst performing county in this respect in the country.[17]
Despite the surface appearance of a homogeneous political culture, there is considerable dispute among residents over planning. One segment of residents (which includes ranchers) would like to see the County preserved in its present state as a mountain paradise with its rural ranching culture, with strict limitation on development. Proponents are sometimes seen as "anti-growth" and "anti-property rights." Another segment of the population would like to see less government and less restrictions on growth and development for the growth of business and the economy. Proponents are seen as "anti-environment" or "anti-agriculture."[citation needed]
