MEEKER I The 2020 census data has been reported recently and I wondered what we can learn, especially at the county level. These results could still be corrected, but I doubt if any huge changes occur, so here goes. My primary source is www.worldpopulationreview.com.
Last year was the 24th year of census reporting since it started in 1790. The census is undertaken every 10 years and is the key factor in apportionment at the U.S. House of Representatives and re-districting at the state level. We are learning more about the upcoming political changes at the state and national level that others are reporting.
You can parse and interpret all the data (and there is plenty of it) in many ways. I encourage you to look at various sources and decide for yourself. Following are a few of my findings and reactions.
Rio Blanco County’s population declined by -0.9 percent (about 1 percent) in the past 10 years. At the last census in 2010 our county contained 6318 residents. Now the count is 6312. Our overall population seems quite stable. If you prefer a no growth status, this is good news. If you were hoping for more people, that’s not happening.
Way back in 1900, reportedly 1690 folks lived in the county. Between 1940 and 1950 our population soared by 60%. The Rangely oil field brought in many, many people to the county during that time. Perhaps part of that surge was also a result of WWII ending and relocation of our military personnel from their service destinations. Land was plentiful then and the west was a new, intriguing part of the country. 97% of us were born in the United States and 53% in Colorado. Many locals didn’t stray far from their birthplace. Who would want to leave Colorado anyway?
Given how much fundraising effort is committed to higher education scholarships in our local communities, perhaps it is because we have many residents with sound educations.
Around 6% of our population have graduate level educational degrees, 27% attended college, 10% finished an associate degree and 16% received a bachelor’s degree. 31% are high school graduates. These stats are highest educational level attained.
The census results also honor our local veterans, 525 of them in RBC who served during the Vietnam, WW II, two Gulf Wars, and Korean wars. Thank you for marching at every parade, helping our veterans, and providing a military honor guard at funerals. We are grateful for your past and present service.
I am less happy to read that annual income in our county is $50,443 for males and $29,327 for females. That is a huge discrepancy in the “equal work, equal pay” battle. The male/female adult population in RBC is about 50/50.
Our county includes 973 seniors. As our American population ages, consideration of approaches to best care for our elders is a looming topic. Our young workforce needs reliable jobs and affordable housing while our seniors need affordable health care and assistance with aging issues.
The census results alert us to many topics and potential changes in our community and country. If interested, review the data and see what it tells you. What surprises you? What do you see for the future with current trends? How can we manage our lives and community in response? Just search for census results online and you’ll find many sites that provide census results.
By KAYE SULLIVAN
Special to the Herald Times
meeker I The 2020 census data has been reported recently and I wondered what we can learn, especially at the county level. These results could still be corrected, but I doubt if any huge changes occur, so here goes. My primary source is www.worldpopulationreview.com.
Last year was the 24th year of census reporting since it started in 1790. The census is undertaken every 10 years and is the key factor in apportionment at the U.S. House of Representatives and re-districting at the state level. We are learning more about the upcoming political changes at the state and national level that others are reporting.
You can parse and interpret all the data (and there is plenty of it) in many ways. I encourage you to look at various sources and decide for yourself. Following are a few of my findings and reactions.
Rio Blanco County’s population declined by -0.9 percent (about 1 percent) in the past 10 years. At the last census in 2010 our county contained 6318 residents. Now the count is 6312. Our overall population seems quite stable. If you prefer a no growth status, this is good news. If you were hoping for more people, that’s not happening.
Way back in 1900, reportedly 1690 folks lived in the county. Between 1940 and 1950 our population soared by 60%. The Rangely oil field brought in many, many people to the county during that time. Perhaps part of that surge was also a result of WWII ending and relocation of our military personnel from their service destinations. Land was plentiful then and the west was a new, intriguing part of the country. 97% of us were born in the United States and 53% in Colorado. Many locals didn’t stray far from their birthplace. Who would want to leave Colorado anyway?
Given how much fundraising effort is committed to higher education scholarships in our local communities, perhaps it is because we have many residents with sound educations.
Around 6% of our population have graduate level educational degrees, 27% attended college, 10% finished an associate degree and 16% received a bachelor’s degree. 31% are high school graduates. These stats are highest educational level attained.
The census results also honor our local veterans, 525 of them in RBC who served during the Vietnam, WW II, two Gulf Wars, and Korean wars. Thank you for marching at every parade, helping our veterans, and providing a military honor guard at funerals. We are grateful for your past and present service.
I am less happy to read that annual income in our county is $50,443 for males and $29,327 for females. That is a huge discrepancy in the “equal work, equal pay” battle. The male/female adult population in RBC is about 50/50.
Our county includes 973 seniors. As our American population ages, consideration of approaches to best care for our elders is a looming topic. Our young workforce needs reliable jobs and affordable housing while our seniors need affordable health care and assistance with aging issues.
The census results alert us to many topics and potential changes in our community and country. If interested, review the data and see what it tells you. What surprises you? What do you see for the future with current trends? How can we manage our lives and community in response? Just search for census results online and you’ll find many sites that provide census results.
By Kaye Sullivan
Special to the Herald Times
