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. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Colorado using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 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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