Baca County, Colorado

Adjacent counties

• Prowers County, Colorado (north)
• Stanton County, Kansas (east/Central Time border)
• Morton County, Kansas (east/Central Time border)
• Cimarron County, Oklahoma (south/Central Time border)
• Union County, New Mexico (southwest)
• Las Animas County, Colorado (west)
• Bent County, Colorado (northwest)

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 160
• U.S. Highway 385
• State Highway 116
• CR M (East of US 385 to the Kansas border)

National historic trail

• Santa Fe National Historic Trail

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,506. Of the residents, 21.5% were under the age of 18 and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.3 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[13][14][15]

The racial makeup of the county was 86.8% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.3% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.9% of the population.^[15]

There were 1,575 households in the county, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[14]

There were 1,972 housing units, of which 20.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.5% were owner-occupied and 29.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%.^[14]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[19] there were 4,517 people, 1,905 households, and 1,268 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (0.77 people/km²). There were 2,364 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.73% White, 0.04% Black or African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 2.99% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 7.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,905 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.40% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 22.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,099, and the median income for a family was $34,018. Males had a median income of $23,169 versus $18,292 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,068. About 12.90% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

• Campo
• Pritchett
• Springfield (county seat)
• Two Buttes
• Vilas
• Walsh

Unincorporated communities

• Bartlett
• Buckeye Crossroads
• Deora
• Edler
• Lycan
• Stonington
• Stuart
• Utleyville