Steamboat & Real Estate
Census estimates show growth in Steamboat
Routt County population increases, but towns’ changes mixed
By Jack Weinstein Originally published June 23, 2010 at 6:48 p.m., updated June 25, 2010 at 12:57 a.m.
Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs’ population increased more than 2,300 residents, or 24 percent, from 2000 to 2009, according to figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The census figures indicated that Steamboat had 12,180 residents as of July 1, 2009. The increase from 2008, 215 residents, or 1.8 percent, follows a trend of consistent modest growth in Steamboat since the 2000 census that showed 9,815 residents.
Jonathan Spence, Steamboat’s interim planning director, said the city conducts its own population study annually that it compares with state demographers so each can verify numbers. For example, he said the state revised its population figures for Steamboat in 2008.
Spence said the city uses its population study in conjunction with the census estimates for planning purposes, such as development of the Community Area Plan and the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan.
“We look at those numbers for providing services, such as essential services — water, sewer and emergency services,” he said.
In addition, he said the city’s planning department is working on an inventory analysis to evaluate what residential construction is possible on vacant and unused parcels in city limits. He said that analysis and population figures help Steamboat plan for the future.
According to the census figures, Routt County also grew, from 19,690 as of the 2000 census to the July 1, 2009, estimate of 23,469. That’s a difference of 3,779 residents, or more than 19 percent.
Other Routt County towns saw different changes in population. Hayden’s population has fluctuated since the decade began, and the town’s 2009 estimate increased 39 residents to 1,673 since the 2000 census. Oak Creek’s population increased six residents to 855 during that time, and Yampa had 442 residents as of the 2009 estimate, one fewer than was recorded in the 2000 census.
Colorado’s population increased by more than 723,000 people, 16.8 percent, to more than 5 million since the 2000 census, according to the 2009 estimate.