Morgan County, Colorado

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Coordinates: 40°16′N 103°49′W / 40.26°N 103.81°W / 40.26; -103.81
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For other counties with similar names, see Morgan County.
Morgan County, Colorado
County
The Morgan County Justice Center in Fort Morgan
The Morgan County Justice Center in Fort Morgan
Map of Colorado highlighting Morgan County
Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
Coordinates: 40°16′N 103°49′W / 40.26°N 103.81°W / 40.26; -103.81
Country United States
State Colorado
FoundedFebruary 19, 1889
Named afterChristopher A. Morgan
SeatFort Morgan
Largest cityFort Morgan
Area
 • Total
1,294 sq mi (3,350 km2)
 • Land1,280 sq mi (3,300 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (34 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
29,111
 • Density23/sq mi (8.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitemorgancounty.colorado.gov

Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,111.[1] The county seat is Fort Morgan.[2] The county was named after old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of Colonel Christopher A. Morgan.

Morgan County comprises the Fort Morgan, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.[3][4]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,294 square miles (3,350 km2), of which 1,280 square miles (3,300 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

State protected area

[edit]

Trails and byways

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18901,601—
19003,268104.1%
19109,577193.1%
192016,12468.4%
193018,28413.4%
194017,214−5.9%
195018,0745.0%
196021,19217.3%
197020,105−5.1%
198022,51312.0%
199021,939−2.5%
200027,17123.8%
201028,1593.6%
202029,1113.4%
2024 (est.)30,300[6]4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 29,111. Of the residents, 26.5% were under the age of 18 and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.5 males. 65.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 34.6% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 65.9% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.2% from some other race, and 13.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 36.3% of the population.[13]

There were 10,519 households in the county, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 11,493 housing units, of which 8.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.9% were owner-occupied and 32.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.[12]

2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census there were 27,171 people, 9,539 households, and 6,973 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 10,410 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.65% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 16.37% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 31.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14]Of the 19,539 households 37.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.00% of households were one person and 10.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.29.

The age distribution was 30.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median household income was $34,568 and the median family income was $39,102. Males had a median income of $27,361 versus $21,524 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,492. About 8.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Towns

[edit]
Countryside in northern Morgan County

Census-designated places

[edit]

Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

Politics

[edit]

Morgan County has long been one of the Republican Party's major strongholds in Colorado. It was one of only three Colorado counties (the others being El Paso County and Larimer County) to vote for the re-election of Herbert Hoover in 1932, and the only Democrat to obtain an absolute majority in the county since 1920 has been Lyndon Johnson in 1964 – although Roosevelt did win a plurality in 1936.

United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Colorado[15]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
189220847.60%00.00%22952.40%
189621125.54%60272.88%131.57%
190072355.32%53841.16%463.52%
19041,13666.90%40623.91%1569.19%
19081,67255.02%1,20839.75%1595.23%
191285528.16%1,00533.10%1,17638.74%
19161,54137.99%2,37158.46%1443.55%
19203,11470.45%1,10525.00%2014.55%
19243,32169.99%75715.95%66714.06%
19284,19776.10%1,24222.52%761.38%
19323,37049.82%3,18147.02%2143.16%
19363,05847.18%3,14648.54%2774.27%
19404,65464.30%2,52734.91%570.79%
19444,16669.13%1,83930.52%210.35%
19483,41753.54%2,91245.63%530.83%
19525,37169.63%2,29729.78%460.60%
19565,32564.17%2,95635.62%170.20%
19605,09261.65%3,15138.15%160.19%
19643,22842.93%4,27156.80%210.28%
19684,59861.21%2,31030.75%6048.04%
19725,36570.40%2,08127.31%1752.30%
19764,60353.34%3,79844.01%2282.64%
19805,20962.50%2,24626.95%87910.55%
19846,09771.26%2,33127.24%1281.50%
19884,79555.24%3,72842.95%1571.81%
19923,72441.70%2,98533.43%2,22124.87%
19964,55752.34%3,34738.44%8039.22%
20005,72263.59%2,88532.06%3914.35%
20046,78768.31%3,03930.59%1101.11%
20086,27261.29%3,81337.26%1491.46%
20126,60261.26%3,91236.30%2632.44%
20168,14568.10%3,15126.35%6645.55%
20209,59369.80%3,87628.20%2752.00%
20249,83073.00%3,29124.44%3442.55%

In other statewide elections, the county also leans strongly Republican, although it was carried by Democrat Roy Romer in 1990[16] – when he carried all but four counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982[17] and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010.[18]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. December 1, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2012 – via National Archives.
  4. ^ See the Colorado census statistical areas.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  12. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  13. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  16. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  17. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1982 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
  18. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morgan_County,_Colorado&oldid=1326479359"
    Morgan County, Colorado
    County
    The Morgan County Justice Center in Fort Morgan
    The Morgan County Justice Center in Fort Morgan
    Map of Colorado highlighting Morgan County
    Location within the U.S. state of Colorado
    Coordinates: 40°16′N 103°49′W / 40.26°N 103.81°W / 40.26; -103.81
    Country United States
    State Colorado
    FoundedFebruary 19, 1889
    Named afterChristopher A. Morgan
    SeatFort Morgan
    Largest cityFort Morgan
    Area
     • Total
    		1,294 sq mi (3,350 km2)
     • Land1,280 sq mi (3,300 km2)
     • Water13 sq mi (34 km2)  1.0%
    Population
     (2020)
     • Total
    		29,111
     • Density23/sq mi (8.9/km2)
    Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
     • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
    Congressional district4th
    Websitemorgancounty.colorado.gov

    Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,111.[1] The county seat is Fort Morgan.[2] The county was named after old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of Colonel Christopher A. Morgan.

    Morgan County comprises the Fort Morgan, CO Micropolitan Statistical Area.[3][4]

    Geography

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,294 square miles (3,350 km2), of which 1,280 square miles (3,300 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]

    Adjacent counties

    Major highways

    State protected area

    Trails and byways

    Demographics

    Historical population
    CensusPop.Note%±
    18901,601—
    19003,268104.1%
    19109,577193.1%
    192016,12468.4%
    193018,28413.4%
    194017,214−5.9%
    195018,0745.0%
    196021,19217.3%
    197020,105−5.1%
    198022,51312.0%
    199021,939−2.5%
    200027,17123.8%
    201028,1593.6%
    202029,1113.4%
    2024 (est.)30,300[6]4.1%
    U.S. Decennial Census[7]
    1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
    1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

    2020 census

    As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 29,111. Of the residents, 26.5% were under the age of 18 and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.5 males. 65.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 34.6% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]

    The racial makeup of the county was 65.9% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 1.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.2% from some other race, and 13.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 36.3% of the population.[13]

    There were 10,519 households in the county, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

    There were 11,493 housing units, of which 8.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.9% were owner-occupied and 32.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.[12]

    2000 census

    At the 2000 census there were 27,171 people, 9,539 households, and 6,973 families living in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 10,410 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.65% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 16.37% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. 31.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14]Of the 19,539 households 37.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 23.00% of households were one person and 10.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.29.

    The age distribution was 30.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

    The median household income was $34,568 and the median family income was $39,102. Males had a median income of $27,361 versus $21,524 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,492. About 8.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

    Communities

    Cities

    Towns

    Countryside in northern Morgan County

    Census-designated places

    Other unincorporated communities

    Politics

    Morgan County has long been one of the Republican Party's major strongholds in Colorado. It was one of only three Colorado counties (the others being El Paso County and Larimer County) to vote for the re-election of Herbert Hoover in 1932, and the only Democrat to obtain an absolute majority in the county since 1920 has been Lyndon Johnson in 1964 – although Roosevelt did win a plurality in 1936.

    United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Colorado[15]
    YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party(ies)
    № %№ %№ %
    189220847.60%00.00%22952.40%
    189621125.54%60272.88%131.57%
    190072355.32%53841.16%463.52%
    19041,13666.90%40623.91%1569.19%
    19081,67255.02%1,20839.75%1595.23%
    191285528.16%1,00533.10%1,17638.74%
    19161,54137.99%2,37158.46%1443.55%
    19203,11470.45%1,10525.00%2014.55%
    19243,32169.99%75715.95%66714.06%
    19284,19776.10%1,24222.52%761.38%
    19323,37049.82%3,18147.02%2143.16%
    19363,05847.18%3,14648.54%2774.27%
    19404,65464.30%2,52734.91%570.79%
    19444,16669.13%1,83930.52%210.35%
    19483,41753.54%2,91245.63%530.83%
    19525,37169.63%2,29729.78%460.60%
    19565,32564.17%2,95635.62%170.20%
    19605,09261.65%3,15138.15%160.19%
    19643,22842.93%4,27156.80%210.28%
    19684,59861.21%2,31030.75%6048.04%
    19725,36570.40%2,08127.31%1752.30%
    19764,60353.34%3,79844.01%2282.64%
    19805,20962.50%2,24626.95%87910.55%
    19846,09771.26%2,33127.24%1281.50%
    19884,79555.24%3,72842.95%1571.81%
    19923,72441.70%2,98533.43%2,22124.87%
    19964,55752.34%3,34738.44%8039.22%
    20005,72263.59%2,88532.06%3914.35%
    20046,78768.31%3,03930.59%1101.11%
    20086,27261.29%3,81337.26%1491.46%
    20126,60261.26%3,91236.30%2632.44%
    20168,14568.10%3,15126.35%6645.55%
    20209,59369.80%3,87628.20%2752.00%
    20249,83073.00%3,29124.44%3442.55%

    In other statewide elections, the county also leans strongly Republican, although it was carried by Democrat Roy Romer in 1990[16] – when he carried all but four counties statewide – by Dick Lamm in 1982[17] and by Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo in 2010.[18]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
    2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 10-02: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. December 1, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2012 – via National Archives.
    4. ^ See the Colorado census statistical areas.
    5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
    6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
    7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
    8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
    9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
    10. ^ "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 8, 2014.
    11. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    12. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    13. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
    14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
    15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
    16. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    17. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 1982 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    18. ^ Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Colorado
    • State of Colorado
      • History Colorado
    • Morgan County Government website
    • Colorado County Evolution by Don Stanwyck
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morgan_County,_Colorado&oldid=1326479359"