Bent County
Bent County, Colorado
Las Animas, CO 81054
Phone: (719) 456-1600
Fax: (719) 456-0375
www.bentcounty.org
In southeastern CO, southwest of Pueblo; organized Feb 11, 1870, from Greenwood County (prior to statehood), which was organized in 1874 and abolished in 1878 by being divided between Bent and Elbert counties. Name Origin: For Bent's Fort on the north bank of the Arkansas River and for the Bent brothers who built it, or for one of the brothers, William Bent (1809-69), early settler, fur trader, and Indian agent
Area (sq mi):: 1541.12 (land 1513.90; water 27.22) Population per square mile: 3.70
Population 2005: 5,558 State rank: 48 Population change: 2000-20005 -7.30%; 1990-2000 18.80% Population 2000: 5,998 (White 63.30%; Black or African American 3.70%; Hispanic or Latino 30.20%; Asian 0.60%; Other 16.30%). Foreign born: 4.40%. Median age: 37.30
Income 2000: per capita $13,567; median household $28,125; Population below poverty level: 19.50% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $17,788-$18,428
Unemployment (2004): 7.60% Unemployment change (from 2000): 3.10% Median travel time to work: 18.60 minutes Working outside county of residence: 29.70%
See other counties in Colorado.