Bent County, Colorado
County in Colorado, United States

County in Colorado
Bent County, Colorado
County
Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas
Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas
Map of Colorado highlighting Bent County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 37°57′N 103°05′W / 37.95°N 103.08°W / 37.95; -103.08
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 6, 1874
Named afterWilliam Bent
SeatLas Animas
Largest cityLas Animas
Area
 • Total
1,541 sq mi (3,990 km2)
 • Land1,513 sq mi (3,920 km2)
 • Water28 sq mi (73 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,650
 • Estimate 
(2024)
5,779 Increase
 • Density3.73/sq mi (1.44/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.bentcounty.net

Bent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,650.[1] The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Las Animas.[2] The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent.

History

As Colorado experienced population growth following the American Civil War, government had to be closer to the people for commerce and justice to be better served in growing communities. Territorial Bent County was created in February 1870, followed by Greenwood County the following month. The June 1, 1870, Federal Census was several months away and plans were being made to apply for statehood. On February 2, 1874, Grand County and Elbert County were formed. On February 6, 1874, Greenwood County was dissolved and divided between Bent and Elbert Counties. At the time of this annexation, Bent County included a large portion of southeastern Colorado. In 1889, Bent County acquired its current borders when it was partitioned to create Cheyenne, Lincoln, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,541 square miles (3,990 km2), of which 28 square miles (73 km2) (1.8%) are covered by water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

State protected area

Trails and byway

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870592—
18801,654179.4%
18901,313−20.6%
19003,049132.2%
19105,04365.4%
19209,70592.4%
19309,134−5.9%
19409,6535.7%
19508,775−9.1%
19607,419−15.5%
19706,493−12.5%
19805,945−8.4%
19905,048−15.1%
20005,99818.8%
20106,4998.4%
20205,650−13.1%
2024 (est.)5,779[4]2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,650. Of the residents, 16.0% were under the age of 18 and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 162.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 181.1 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[9][10][11]

The racial makeup of the county was 67.8% White, 4.5% Black or African American, 2.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.3% from some other race, and 8.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 31.2% of the population.[11]

There were 1,805 households in the county, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10]

There were 2,136 housing units, of which 15.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.4% were owner-occupied and 35.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%.[10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, 5,998 people, 2,003 households, and 1,388 families resided in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). The 2,366 housing units had an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.53% White, 3.65% Black or African American, 2.23% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 10.25% from other races, and 3.77% from two or more races. About 30.24% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 2,003 households, 32.5% had children under 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were not families. About 27.2% of households were one person and 12.2% were one person 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 23.8% under 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.0 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 138.7 males.

The median income for a household was $28,125 and for a family was $34,096. Males had a median income of $22,755 versus $24,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,567. About 16.6% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under 18 and 13.0% of those 65 or over.

Census-designated places

Politics

Bent is a strongly Republican county, although it is less so than the counties to its east. The last Democrat to carry Bent County was Bill Clinton in 1996, although Michael Dukakis in 1988 was the last to gain a majority.

United States presidential election results for Bent County, Colorado[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1880 174 41.23% 242 57.35% 6 1.42%
1884 382 44.26% 446 51.68% 35 4.06%
1888 1,338 51.58% 1,074 41.40% 182 7.02%
1892 162 40.30% 0 0.00% 240 59.70%
1896 197 24.63% 591 73.88% 12 1.50%
1900 569 50.49% 546 48.45% 12 1.06%
1904 812 63.94% 416 32.76% 42 3.31%
1908 915 50.72% 819 45.40% 70 3.88%
1912 420 21.76% 730 37.82% 780 40.41%
1916 833 34.80% 1,473 61.53% 88 3.68%
1920 1,584 60.67% 937 35.89% 90 3.45%
1924 1,511 54.14% 804 28.81% 476 17.05%
1928 1,957 72.13% 741 27.31% 15 0.55%
1932 1,327 39.58% 1,948 58.10% 78 2.33%
1936 1,299 40.84% 1,821 57.25% 61 1.92%
1940 1,899 51.67% 1,759 47.86% 17 0.46%
1944 1,556 51.51% 1,456 48.20% 9 0.30%
1948 1,296 43.43% 1,658 55.56% 30 1.01%
1952 1,950 59.40% 1,317 40.12% 16 0.49%
1956 1,718 57.25% 1,283 42.75% 0 0.00%
1960 1,671 57.54% 1,228 42.29% 5 0.17%
1964 937 34.76% 1,737 64.43% 22 0.82%
1968 1,228 47.47% 1,126 43.53% 233 9.01%
1972 1,525 64.29% 787 33.18% 60 2.53%
1976 1,156 46.61% 1,268 51.13% 56 2.26%
1980 1,206 51.76% 894 38.37% 230 9.87%
1984 1,314 59.75% 859 39.06% 26 1.18%
1988 1,032 47.62% 1,088 50.21% 47 2.17%
1992 759 33.63% 985 43.64% 513 22.73%
1996 917 41.70% 1,046 47.57% 236 10.73%
2000 1,096 55.83% 783 39.89% 84 4.28%
2004 1,338 62.09% 785 36.43% 32 1.48%
2008 1,077 56.09% 799 41.61% 44 2.29%
2012 1,075 55.36% 815 41.97% 52 2.68%
2016 1,188 61.65% 590 30.62% 149 7.73%
2020 1,503 66.09% 732 32.19% 39 1.72%
2024 1,496 68.34% 645 29.47% 48 2.19%

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated places

  • Bent County Democrat newspaper in Las Animas
    Bent County Democrat newspaper in Las Animas
  • Bent County rodeo arena
    Bent County rodeo arena

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  10. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  11. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  • State of Colorado
    • History Colorado
  • Bent County Government website
  • Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
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