Delta County
Named for its location on the delta of the Uncompahgre
River, Delta County is located in a large mountain
valley at the confluence of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre
Rivers and is surrounded by some of Colorado’s richest
ranch land. The area was first explored in 1853 by
Captain John Gunnison of the Army Topographical
Engineers, who was surveying the region for a suitable
route for a transcontinental railroad. Delta County was
officially created by the Colorado legislature in 1883
from portions of Gunnison County.
The city of Delta is the
headquarters for the Grand Mesa – the world’s largest
flat-top mountain – and the Uncompahgre and Gunnison
National Forests. Delta County offers a mild climate
with warm, dry summers and moderate winters, making the
Delta area ideal for year-round outdoor activities
including skiing, gold-medal fishing, hiking, and
hunting.
Delta County’s wide range of elevation, with a low of
4,758 feet and a high of 11,396, allows for secluded
valleys within the county. These sheltered, quiet
valleys provide a perfect environment for growing unique
fruits and vegetables that grow in few places in the
world. Agriculture is, in fact, one of the main
industries of Paonia – Spanish for “peony” – which is
known for producing delicious peaches, apples, and other
fruits.
Delta County showed steady
growth in the number of farms between 1987 and 1997; in
1987, the number of farms in the region was 900, but had
reached 1,041 by 1997.
Demographics
Delta County has a population
of 30.401 persons (2006 U.S. Census estimate) and six
unique communities: Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta,
Hotchkiss, Orchard City, and Paonia (24% urban, 76%
rural). Over one-third of the population lives within
five miles of the town of Delta, the county seat and
largest incorporated community in the county. Almost 20%
of the people of Delta County are 65 or older, and over
18% are persons with disabilities.
Economics
Although steadily improving,
Delta County’s Median Household Income remains about 30%
below the state and national averages, with 12.5% below
poverty level.
With adequate water sources, a
diverse climate, and over 281,000 acres dedicated to
agriculture, Delta County has always been a major
producer of high-quality produce and livestock. Mining,
retail trade, healthcare, and government are major
sources of employment in addition to agriculture.
Agritourism is a significant contributor to commerce in
the county, with ready access to organic farms, ranches,
wineries, art studios, bed and breakfasts, and many
outdoor activities.
2008 cost of living index in
Delta: 86.0 (U.S. average is 100).
Health and Emergency Services
Delta County has the lowest
healthcare costs of any county in Colorado. A modern
JCAHO-accredited 50-bed hospital built in 2004 offers
general and specialized medical services.
Delta County is equipped with
a 911 system that routes calls to the Delta County
Sheriff’s Office, located in the City of Delta. The
Delta Ambulance Service is a 24-hour advanced life
support service serving the City of Delta and
surrounding areas. The North Fork Ambulance Association,
Inc., an all volunteer nonprofit, serves the areas of
Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford.
Helpful Links
www.westerncolorado.org
www.deltacounty.com
www.deltaareadevelopment.org/
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/08029.html
www.city-data.com/county/Delta_County-CO.html
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