La Plata County has experienced a steady but not overwhelming population growth, allowing for conscientious land use planning and overall economic development. In recent decades, much of the growth has occurred in unincorporated areas of the county, reflecting the conversion of agricultural land to subdivisions, though effort is now being made to retain 'open space' by clustering housing developments. The same holds true within the municipalities, including the remodel and reconstruction of historic buildings to facilitate density - again to help maintain open space and avoid sprawl.

Actual population growth has varied since the turn of the last century, tied primarily to the region's boom and bust economies of mining and oil & gas production. Since the early 1960's, however, the growth of tourism and other non-seasonal industries has prompted stabilized growth.

Growth

Between 1990 and 2000, La Plata County averaged 3.13% annual growth, with most of the growth occurring in Durango and unincorporated areas of the county. The City of Durango grew by an average of 1.13% annually. In the town of Bayfield there was 3.58% average annual population growth in the last decade. A primary goal for Bayfield is to provide for orderly growth in a way that does not adversely affect the community's small town character, while providing the infrastructure for expansion. In the Town of Ignacio, population has declinined slightly, but with the economic strength of the Southern Ute Tribe and increased enterprises, a return to growth is likely.

The Colorado State Demography Section provides annual population estimates. These estimates are constantly revised based on a number of factors. To view the most recent estimates and projections visit their web page at http://www.dlg.oem2.state.co.us/demog/demog.htm.

Population Estimates - La Plata County
1996-2000

	1996	1997	1998	1999	Census 2000	Avg Annual % Change 1996-2000
La Plata	39,704	40,318	41,173	42,757	43,941	2.1%
Bayfield	1,525	1,545	1,555	1,552	1,549	0.3%
Durango	13,350	13,278	13,468	13,731	13,922	0.9%
Ignacio	706	709	701	682	669	-1.0%
Unincorporated	24,123	24,786	25,449	26,792	27,801	3.0%

Source: Colorado Demography Section

The annual average growth rate in La Plata County is expected to decrease over the next 20 years, however the population is projected to be at 64,132 people by 2020.

Projected Growth Rate - La Plata County
2000-2020

La Plata	2000	2005	2010	2015	2020
Population	43,491	50,164	55,909	60,463	64,132
Avg Annual % Change	n/a	3.1%	2.3%	1.6%	1.2%

Source: Colorado Demography Section

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Ethnic Groups

The racial characteristics of La Plata County closely resemble those of the state of Colorado. However, two American Indian reservations are located in or close to the county. Also, the Navajo reservation is within 60 miles of the county. As a result, the Native American population is five percent. The following table shows a comparison of the breakdown in ethnic characteristics.

Ethnic Characteristics
La Plata County and Colorado
2000 Census Count

:

Race	La Plata County	Percentage	State of Colorado	Percentage
White	38,364	87.3%	3,560,005	82.8%
Black or African American	136	0.3%	165,063	3.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native	2,539	5.8%	44,241	1.0%
Hispanic or Latino	4,571	10.4%	735,601	17.1%
Asian	177	0.4%	93,277	2.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	24	0.1%	3,845	0.1%
Some other race	1,712	3.9%	5,512	0.1%
Two or more races	989	2.3%	72,721	1.7%
Adult (18+) Population Only
Race	La Plata County	Percentage	State of Colorado	Percentage
White	30,127	88.7%	2,712,698	84.8%
Black or African American	111	0.3%	114,702	3.6%
American Indian or Alaska Native	1,769	5.2%	31,098	1.0%
Hispanic or Latino	3,066	9.0%	476,879	14.9%
Asian	148	0.4%	70,384	2.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	21	0.1%	2,807	0.1%
Some other race	1,230	3.6%	3,224	0.1%
Two or more races	568	1.7%	40,925	1.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, Tables PL1, PL2, PL3 and PL4.

La Plata County is culturally diverse, as the following table shows. The breakdown in ethnic characteristics among the various towns and cities, along with the number of housing units is given.

Ethnic Characteristics and Housing Units
La Plata County and Municipalities
2000 Census Counts

Race	La Plata County	Durango	Bayfield	Ignacio
White	15,658	5,011	523	150
Black	37	16	2	2
American Indian & Alaska Native	743	162	8	58
Asian	51	34	1	0
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	4	3	0	0
Other	849	266	33	52
TOTAL	17,342	5,492	567	262
Hispanic or Latino*	1,439	480	49	109

* Persons of these ethnic origins may be of any race.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, General Housing Characteristics, Colorado, 2000,