Most rural counties in Colorado

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Colorado

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Colorado using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Eagle County

- Rural area: 98.8% (1,664 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (21 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,685 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #358 nationwide

- Population density: 32.6 people / square mile (54,960 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,287 nationwide

#49. Teller County

- Rural area: 98.8% (550 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 557 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #1,865 nationwide

- Population density: 44.8 people / square mile (24,981 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,571 nationwide

#48. Alamosa County

- Rural area: 99.0% (715 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 723 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #1,232 nationwide

- Population density: 22.4 people / square mile (16,153 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #974 nationwide

#47. Lake County

- Rural area: 99.1% (374 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 377 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #2,612 nationwide

- Population density: 20.8 people / square mile (7,845 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #923 nationwide

#46. Chaffee County

- Rural area: 99.1% (1,005 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,013 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #662 nationwide

- Population density: 19.7 people / square mile (19,977 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #885 nationwide

#45. Montrose County

- Rural area: 99.2% (2,223 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,241 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #249 nationwide

- Population density: 18.9 people / square mile (42,280 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #855 nationwide

#44. Delta County

- Rural area: 99.2% (1,133 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,142 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #543 nationwide

- Population density: 26.9 people / square mile (30,758 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,123 nationwide

#43. La Plata County

- Rural area: 99.3% (1,681 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,692 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #357 nationwide

- Population density: 33.2 people / square mile (56,138 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,299 nationwide

#42. Garfield County

- Rural area: 99.4% (2,930 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,948 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #177 nationwide

- Population density: 20.2 people / square mile (59,605 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #902 nationwide

#41. Morgan County

- Rural area: 99.4% (1,273 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,280 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #470 nationwide

- Population density: 22.3 people / square mile (28,617 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #973 nationwide

#40. Pitkin County

- Rural area: 99.4% (965 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 971 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #719 nationwide

- Population density: 18.5 people / square mile (17,980 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #838 nationwide

#39. Otero County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,256 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,262 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #478 nationwide

- Population density: 14.5 people / square mile (18,284 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #722 nationwide

#38. Archuleta County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,345 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,350 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #444 nationwide

- Population density: 10.1 people / square mile (13,588 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #579 nationwide

#37. Logan County

- Rural area: 99.7% (1,832 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,839 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #319 nationwide

- Population density: 12.1 people / square mile (22,282 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #640 nationwide

#36. Routt County

- Rural area: 99.7% (2,354 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,362 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #235 nationwide

- Population density: 10.7 people / square mile (25,317 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #598 nationwide

#35. Prowers County

- Rural area: 99.7% (1,634 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,638 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #369 nationwide

- Population density: 7.3 people / square mile (12,035 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #464 nationwide

#34. Rio Grande County

- Rural area: 99.8% (910 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 912 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #817 nationwide

- Population density: 12.4 people / square mile (11,300 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #649 nationwide

#33. Montezuma County

- Rural area: 99.8% (2,026 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,030 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #281 nationwide

- Population density: 12.9 people / square mile (26,266 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #674 nationwide

#32. Grand County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,844 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,846 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #316 nationwide

- Population density: 8.4 people / square mile (15,536 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #514 nationwide

#31. Las Animas County

- Rural area: 99.9% (4,767 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 4,773 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #87 nationwide

- Population density: 3.0 people / square mile (14,323 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #237 nationwide

#30. Moffat County

- Rural area: 99.9% (4,738 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 4,743 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #90 nationwide

- Population density: 2.8 people / square mile (13,150 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #221 nationwide

#29. Gunnison County

- Rural area: 99.9% (3,236 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,239 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #159 nationwide

- Population density: 5.3 people / square mile (17,119 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #381 nationwide

#28. Huerfano County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,589 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,591 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #379 nationwide

- Population density: 4.3 people / square mile (6,769 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #332 nationwide

#27. Bent County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,511 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,513 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #393 nationwide

- Population density: 3.8 people / square mile (5,677 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #291 nationwide

#26. Kit Carson County

- Rural area: 99.9% (2,159 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,161 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #258 nationwide

- Population density: 3.4 people / square mile (7,246 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #263 nationwide

#25. Yuma County

- Rural area: 99.9% (2,363 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,364 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #234 nationwide

- Population density: 4.2 people / square mile (10,013 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #330 nationwide

#24. Gilpin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (150 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 150 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #3,062 nationwide

- Population density: 40.7 people / square mile (6,108 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,489 nationwide

#23. Clear Creek County

- Rural area: 100.0% (395 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 395 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,548 nationwide

- Population density: 24.1 people / square mile (9,533 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,043 nationwide

#22. Elbert County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,851 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,851 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #314 nationwide

- Population density: 14.2 people / square mile (26,230 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #716 nationwide

#21. Ouray County

- Rural area: 100.0% (542 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 542 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #1,929 nationwide

- Population density: 9.0 people / square mile (4,890 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #535 nationwide

#20. Park County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,194 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,194 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #257 nationwide

- Population density: 8.4 people / square mile (18,345 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #512 nationwide

#19. Crowley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (787 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 787 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,096 nationwide

- Population density: 7.3 people / square mile (5,733 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #461 nationwide

#18. Custer County

- Rural area: 100.0% (739 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 739 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #1,196 nationwide

- Population density: 6.7 people / square mile (4,941 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #440 nationwide

#17. Conejos County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,287 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,287 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #465 nationwide

- Population density: 6.3 people / square mile (8,130 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #427 nationwide

#16. Phillips County

- Rural area: 100.0% (688 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 688 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #1,363 nationwide

- Population density: 6.3 people / square mile (4,343 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #426 nationwide

#15. San Miguel County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,287 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,287 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #466 nationwide

- Population density: 6.3 people / square mile (8,110 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #425 nationwide

#14. Sedgwick County

- Rural area: 100.0% (548 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 548 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,905 nationwide

- Population density: 4.2 people / square mile (2,306 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #327 nationwide

#13. Costilla County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,227 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,227 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #500 nationwide

- Population density: 3.1 people / square mile (3,810 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #246 nationwide

#12. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,578 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,578 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #208 nationwide

- Population density: 2.2 people / square mile (5,608 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #172 nationwide

#11. Saguache County

- Rural area: 100.0% (3,169 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,169 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #163 nationwide

- Population density: 2.1 people / square mile (6,730 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #165 nationwide

#10. Rio Blanco County

- Rural area: 100.0% (3,221 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,221 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #160 nationwide

- Population density: 2.0 people / square mile (6,369 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #152 nationwide

#9. Washington County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,518 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,518 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #217 nationwide

- Population density: 1.9 people / square mile (4,869 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #147 nationwide

#8. Dolores County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,067 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,067 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #605 nationwide

- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (1,896 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #137 nationwide

#7. San Juan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (387 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 387 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,576 nationwide

- Population density: 1.7 people / square mile (646 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #125 nationwide

#6. Baca County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,555 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,555 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #213 nationwide

- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (3,570 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #100 nationwide

#5. Cheyenne County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,778 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,778 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #334 nationwide

- Population density: 1.1 people / square mile (1,999 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #81 nationwide

#4. Mineral County

- Rural area: 100.0% (876 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 876 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #923 nationwide

- Population density: 1.0 people / square mile (853 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #65 nationwide

#3. Kiowa County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,768 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,768 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #336 nationwide

- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (1,463 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #52 nationwide

#2. Jackson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,614 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,614 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #376 nationwide

- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (1,316 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #49 nationwide

#1. Hinsdale County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,117 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,117 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #565 nationwide

- Population density: 0.7 people / square mile (781 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #42 nationwide

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