Empire, Colorado

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Town of Empire, Colorado
Statutory Town
Empire as seen from Douglas Mountain
Empire as seen from Douglas Mountain
Nickname(s): Heart of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Location in Clear Creek County and the State of Colorado
Location in Clear Creek County and the State of Colorado
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[1]
Country  United States
State  State of Colorado
County Clear Creek County[2]
Incorporated April 12, 1882[3]
Government
 • Type Statutory Town[2]
Area
 • Total 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
 • Land 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation[4] 8,615 ft (2,626 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 282
 • Density 1,104/sq mi (426.3/km2)
Time zone MST (UTC-7)
 • Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code[5] 80438
Area code(s) 303 and 720
INCITS place code 0824620
GNIS feature ID 0181355
Highways US 40.svg US 40

The historic Town of Empire is a Statutory Town located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The population was 282 at the 2010 census.[6] The town is a former mining settlement that flourished during the Colorado Silver Boom in the late 19th century.

It is located in the valley of Clear Creek west of Denver, on the north side of the valley. The town consists of several commercial establishments and residents. U.S. Highway 40 passes through the town as its ascends towards Berthoud Pass, putting the town on the direct route between Denver and Middle Park.

Geography

Empire is located in north-central Clear Creek County at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found..[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890 134 —
1900 276 106.0%
1910 179 −35.1%
1920 105 −41.3%
1930 93 −11.4%
1940 174 87.1%
1950 228 31.0%
1960 110 −51.8%
1970 249 126.4%
1980 423 69.9%
1990 401 −5.2%
2000 355 −11.5%
2010 282 −20.6%
Est. 2014 283 [8] 0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 355 people, 163 households, and 88 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,406.0 people per square mile (548.3/km²). There were 179 housing units at an average density of 708.9 per square mile (276.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.37% White, 3.10% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.66% of the population.

There were 163 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 112.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,159, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $40,313 versus $29,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,417. About 10.5% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Notable visitors

The poet Vachel Lindsay visited his family often at their vacation spot in Empire. He would sometimes walk there on foot, doing a tramp from Illinois to Colorado, chanting poems and doing farm work along the way.[citation needed]

Climate

This climate type is dominated by the winter season, a long, bitterly cold period with short, clear days, relatively little precipitation mostly in the form of snow, and low humidity.[11]

Points of interest

File:DSCN2533 empirecolorado e 450.jpg
General store along U.S. Highway 40 in Empire, Colorado
  • Peck House - Historic hotel and restaurant. [1]
  • Hard Rock Cafe - This is the original, dating from 1934, and named for the hardrock miners that were its early customers. It predates and is not affiliated with the chain of restaurants that also call themselves the Hard Rock Cafe.
  • Lewis Sweet shop opened in 1951 by Dwayne Lewis serves mom and pop food in a great environment sure to welcome the whole family.[2]
  • Valero gas station reopened recently in 2013 not only includes gas station but also gives you a large selection of commodities in its convenience store and hot subs in its upcoming subway at 8,615 ft above sea level, right here in Empire.
[3]

In fiction

Empire is the setting of Bonnie Nadzam's short story, titled "Empire" after the town.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Climate Summary for Empire, Colorado
  12. ↑ Nadzam, Bonnie. "Empire". The Kenyon Review, vol 32, issue 3. Summer 2010. Gambier. pp. 56-69.
  • Ruggles, Eleanor. The West Going Heart. Norton, 1959.
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