Executive Summary

The following highlights summarize information from each data page section of Compass:

Community Development	Community Living	Crime & Safety
Economy	Education	Enrichments
Environment	Health	Demographics

Community Development

Growth

From 2003 to 2007, housing unit growth was consistently higher than population growth in Colorado, Larimer County, and Larimer County communities. Windsor had the largest difference in housing versus population growth, with housing units increasing 106.6%, and population increasing 103.3%. (Housing Units)
In Larimer County, the ratio of paved to unpaved County maintained roads remained consistent with previous years. All municipalities in the County added miles of roads probably brought on by growth and development within their annexed boundaries. (Miles of Road)
In Larimer County, the rate of approved new residential units per 1,000 people has decreased by 63% since 2004. The actual number of approved new dwellings decreased during that time as well, from 3,433 in 2004 to 1,341 in 2008. (New Residential Units)
Larimer County's population grew by approximately 16% between 2000 and 2008. Colorado's Department of Local Affairs Demography Office estimates that theannual population will increase each year by approximately 2% through 2018. (Population Size and Growth)

Housing

Since 2003, vacancy rates have declined each year from 16.1% to 5.2% in the first quarter of 2008, while rents have increased nearly 23% from $743 per month to $760 per month. According to the 2000 Census, 42% of Larimer County renters were paying 30% or more of their household income for rent. (Affordable Rental Cost)
In 2008, 276 Larimer County households resided in public housing units, while 1,341 households received Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers. Changes in federal policies and funding levels have caused a decrease in some local housing assistance. (Federally Subsidized Housing)
From 2004 to 2008, Median Family Income (MFI) in Larimer County increased 12.8%, while the median home sale price in the Fort Collins MSA increased 5.7%. (Home Ownership/Affordable Housing)
Counting the homeless population in Larimer County is an inexact science. What we do not know is how many of these sources count the same person more than once, and how many homeless people do not come in contact with available resources. The recent downturn in the economy, and the high cost of fuel and health care have contributed to the numbers of homeless seeking aid in Larimer County. (Homelessness)
In 2008, 52% of Larimer County family households contained married couples, and 21.8% had married couples with children under 18. (Household Types & Age of Residents)
The five-year average of occupied housing units for Larimer County was 86.6%. Windsor was the leader of vacant housing units in 2008 at 34.6%. (Housing Occupancy)
From 2004 through 2008, the number of homes sold in Fort Collins and Loveland/Berthoud declined each year, with Fort Collins’ sales exceeding those in Loveland/Berthoud area by between 1,654 and 2,009 each year. During this five-year period, the median sales price of homes in Estes Park increased approximately 19%, while the Fort Collins median sale price increased 6% and the median price of homes in Loveland decreased nearly 2% during that same period. (Residential Home Sales)

Transportation

Ridership on Transfort (Fort Collins) and Loveland's COLT Fixed Route service increased by 21% and 15%, respectively, in 2008. (Public Transportation)
In 2001, the majority of residential vehicles in Fort Collins, Loveland, and the Northern Front Range traveled from 0 to 20 miles daily. Overall, residents of Fort Collins traveled the shortest distances in an average day, when compared to the other two areas. (Vehicle Miles Traveled)
Vehicle registrations in 2006 did decline modestly, down 1.6% for Larimer County with changes to emissions inspection a possible cause. (Vehicle Registration)
Census 2000 revealed the majority of households in the United States, Colorado and Larimer County had at least two vehicles available. Larimer County has a higher percentage of 'two' and 'three or more' vehicle households than the nation and the state. (Vehicles Per Household)
2000 Census data indicate the majority of commuters in Larimer County commute less than 30 minutes. Fewer than 20% of commuters who drove to work were carpooling regularly. (Work Commute)

Community Living

In 2008, there were approximately 387 Larimer County public charities with assets above $25,000. Health and Human Services organizations represented 31% of these charities. (Public Charities)
In 2003, the Fort Collins Area United Way and United Way of Loveland/Berthoud/Estes Park joined together. The merge was done in an effort to meet the growing needs of the communities during difficult economic times in a way that would create the most impact. After the merge, United Way of Larimer County successfully increased fundraising from 2004 to 2007 by 33%. (United Way Donations)
The general voting trends in Larimer County are greater numbers of voters using mail-in ballots and fewer residents registering as Republicans and unaffiliated, while more residents are registering as Democrats. (Voter Participation)
In 2008, the Fort Collins MSA, including Fort Collins and Loveland, was ranked 7th among mid-sized cities in the United States with a volunteer rate of 38.3. This rate is higher than Boulder, Denver, Greeley, the state of Colorado, and the United States. (Volunteering)

Crime and Safety

In 2008, adult probation caseloads increased 38% from the previous year, with active cases growing from 3,181 to 4,403 (June 30th point-in-time counts). The rate of adults on probation reached a ten-year high of 19 per 1,000 adults. (Adult Probation)
The number of reports to Adult Protective Services (APS) increased by 68% between 1999 and 2008. The majority of Adult Protective Services reports involve self-neglect (81% of 2008 reports). (Adult Abuse)
The rate of total adult arrests in the 8th Judicial District increased from 46.5 per 1,000 adults in 2007 to 48.9 per 1,000 adults in 2008. (Adult Arrests)
In 2008, 6,345 offenders participated in one of the four Alternative Sentencing Unit programs provided by the Sheriff's Department. Each of these programs, Workenders, Work Release, Community Service, and Home Detention, provides diversion from more costly jail stays. (Alternative Sentencing Unit [ASU])
Between 1999 and 2008, the rate of charges filed against adults peaked in 2003 and has been steadily declining. (Charges Filed - Adults)
From 2003 to 2007, Larimer County law enforcement reports and arrests for domestic violence increased 14%. In 2007 local victim assistance agencies received 1,433 domestic violence related calls, the majority of those being crisis situations. (Domestic Violence)
The annual inmate population averages for the last five years (2004 to 2008) indicate the Detention Center was filled to capacity or near capacity every year. In 2008, inmates age 25 years or younger made up 38% of the total jail population. The inmate population was identified as 24% Hispanic, although Hispanics represented approximately 9.8% of the 2007 adult population in Larimer County. (Jail Population & Capacity)
Within Larimer County, Estes Park Police Department’s ratio (3.08 per 1,000 population) was most similar to the Colorado average (2.37 per 1,000 population). The remaining County law enforcement agencies had comparable officer/resident ratios, averaging about 1.28 law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents. (Law Enforcement Coverage)
Loveland and Fort Collins citizens show their communities are relatively safe place to live. (Perceived Levels of Safety)
The monthly average number of transient people held in the Larimer County Detention Center has decreased nearly 139% since 2005 from 25.8 transients per month to 10.8 in 2008. (Transients in Jail)

Child/Youth Data

Over the last decade, the rate of charges filed against juveniles peaked in 2000 at 53.3 cases per 1,000 juveniles. During this same period of time, the lowest rate of charges filed against juveniles was in 2005 (33.0) and has been steadily increasing. (Charges Filed - Juveniles)
There was an 8.2% decrease in the number of substantiated child abuse reports in 2008. Prior to 2007, better training among mandatory reporters (i.e., teachers, doctors, nurses) and an influx of methamphetamine ('meth') cases may have contributed to the increased number of abuse reports. (Child Abuse)
Total juvenile arrests decreased 7.6% from 1999 to 2008. Alcohol and drug offenses comprise nearly one-third of all yearly arrests. (Juvenile Arrests)
In 2008, juvenile probation rates returned to the same level as the previously reported ten-year high, 13 per 1,000 youth (2000). During that same time (1999 to 2008), the juvenile population (age 10 – 17) in Larimer and Jackson counties increased by 4.6%. (Juvenile Probation)

Economy

Business Economy

In 2007, farms in Larimer County are more numerous, but smaller in acreage. As farms decrease in size, more women are becoming farmers. (Agriculture in Larimer County)
From 2004 to 2008, employment in the Manufacturing sector, one of the highest paying sectors, decreased by 18%, resulting in a loss of 2,670 jobs. (Employment & Wages by Industry)
Businesses with fewer than ten employees accounted for almost 77% of all establishments in Larimer County in 2007. The majority (98.5%) of Larimer County business establishments had fewer than 100 employees, which was similar to Colorado (98.1%) and the nation (97.7%) during the same period. (Larimer County Employers)
In 2002, 95.9% of Larimer County firms were owned by White residents. The majority of minority firm owners, 60.4%, were Hispanic. (Minority Business Ownership)
As the economy has worsened throughout 2008, the number of individuals on Medicaid has steadily increased. (Medicaid)
In 2007, per capita personal income in Larimer County ($36,766) was lower than the national average ($38,611). (Per Capita Income)
In general, the Fort Collins/Loveland MSA had lower unemployment rates than both Colorado and the United States from July 2007 to December 2008. (Unemployment Rate)

Individual Economy

From 1999 to 2008, the number of foreclosure filings in Larimer County increased 584%. The biggest year-to-year increase (33%) occurred between 2005 and 2006. From 2000 to 2005, the rate of bankruptcy filings in Larimer County increased by 128%, while the state rate increased by 154%. Between 2005 and 2006, the rate of bankruptcy filings decreased drastically due to major changes in bankruptcy law. (Bankruptcy and Foreclosure)
The Food Bank for Larimer County has seen a 25% increase for its Food Share and Kids Café programs between 2006 and 2008. (Food Bank)
As the economy worsened throughout 2008, the number of applications, cases, and expedited issuance of food stamps has increased significantly. (Food Stamps)
When examining local Median Family Income (MFI) by racial classification, there are discrepancies in Larimer County among incomes of different races. According to the United States Census, variations in MFI by racial category included 'Whites' at $49,956, 'Asians' at $47,563, and 'Hispanics or Latinos' at $36,884. (Income by Racial Classification)
From FYE 2000 to FYE 2009, the number of Larimer County households submitting applications for heating assistance increased 190%. (Low Energy Assistance Program - LEAP)
The Median Family Income (MFI) in Larimer County grew 8.7% between 2005 and 2009. The 2009 MFI for Larimer County is $75,200. (Median Family Income)
In 2003, per capita personal income in Larimer County ($32,037) was similar to the national average ($31,632), but lower than Colorado ($34,283). Colorado's personal per capita income ranked seventh highest in the nation in 2004. (Per Capita Income)
Larimer County poverty rates for all people registered a slight decline, from 12.9% in 2007 to 12.4% in 2008. Larimer County poverty rates for children decreased from 11.7% in 2007 to 10.4% in 2008. Although rates have declined slightly between 2007 and 2008, poverty remains an ongoing issue for the residents of Larimer County. (Poverty)
A family of four in Larimer County (consisting of two adults working full time plus an infant and a preschooler) needs a minimum of $55,584 (2008) annually to afford food, shelter, transportation, health and child care, among other basic necessities. (Self-Sufficient Wages)
From 2006 through 2008, there was a 60% increase in applications for TANF benefits, but a 55% decline in the number of households receiving TANF cash assistance. (TANF)

Education

Early Childhood Education

From 2004 to 2007, the average monthly number of Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) cases decreased 21% while the average monthly payment to child care providers increased 34%. In January 2008, the Larimer County Department of Human Services reinstated the family income criteria to <185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines allowing for a 22% increase in the number of cases served by CCAP. (Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP))
In 2000, 70.9% of Larimer County's three and four year olds (4384) were enrolled in a nursery school or preschool. (Enrollment - Preschool)

K - 12 and Adult Education

In 2008-09, all three school districts scored higher than the state average on all four tests. Thompson School District students showed the most improvement in all four areas in 2008-09. (ACT Scores)
From 2001 to 2008, Hispanic student enrollment in Larimer County school districts increased by 47%. In comparison, total enrollment in Larimer County public schools only increased 4.6%. (Enrollment - Ethnicity)
In 2008-09, Poudre and Thompson School District students scored higher than the State in percentages of students scoring in the ‘Proficient and Advanced’ category in both Reading and Math. (CSAP Scores)
There was a 28% decrease in expulsions from Larimer County schools during the 2007-08 school year, whereas the number of suspensions increased by 2.5% during the same period. Some of the schools in the county adopted the state-sponsored Positive Behavior Support Initiative during the 2006-07 school year and early reports show it is having a positive affect. (Disciplinary Actions)
In 2007-2008, Hispanic students comprised more than 14% of the student population in Larimer County; however, nearly 29% of students dropping out that year were Hispanic. (Dropout Rates)
In 2008, nearly 51% of Larimer County residents possessed a college degree. (Educational Attainment)
In the last ten years, resident undergraduate tuition at Colorado State University has increased 89%, from $2,340 in 1999-00 to $4,424 in 2008-09. Higher Education Enrollment and Tuition
Enrollment in Larimer County School Districts is predominately White non - Hispanic. Hispanic students made up the largest and fastest growing minority from 1998 to 2002. (Enrollment - Ethnicity)
Larimer County public school enrollment increased by 9% from 1999-00 to 2008-09. Park School District enrollment fell by 13.2% during this time period, which was an actual drop of 180 students. (Enrollment - Public Schools)
In 2008, the majority of K-12 students in Larimer County were enrolled in public schools (91.4%), followed by non-public school enrollment (7.1%) and home-based schooling (1.5%). (Enrollment - Public, Home-Based & Non-Public Schools)
From 2004 to 2008, Larimer County’s three school districts averaged a 14.1% increase in the number of students qualifying for free and reduced lunches. Statewide, over the same time period, eligibility grew by about 11.5%. (Students Eligible for Free/Reduced School Lunch)
In 2008, special education students comprised almost 11.1% of the total student enrollment in Larimer County public schools. (Enrollment - Special Education)
For the 2008-09 school year, Park School District's per pupil funding ($7,192) was 7.2% greater than the average for the State of Colorado ($6,682). Poudre and Thompson School Districts’ per pupil funding ($6,530) was 2.3% less than the state average. (Funding Per Pupil)
Larimer County School Districts had higher graduation rates than the state average from 2003-04 to 2007-08. Hispanic students continue to have a lower graduation rate than White students in all three school districts. (High School Graduation Rates)
The average pupil/teacher ratio in the Larimer County School Districts decreased from 16.4 in 2007-08 to 16.2 in 2008-09. (Student/Teacher Ratios)
For school year 2008-09, the percentages of students from each race/ethnic group, with the exception of White, were higher than those of teachers. White teachers were overrepresented while Hispanic and Black teachers were underrepresented in relation to the number of students from each group. (Teachers - Ethnicity & Gender)
Between the 2000-01 and 2008-09 school years, average salaries in Park School District had the highest percentage increase (33%) followed by Poudre (19%) and Thompson (16%). (Teachers Salary)

Enrichments

Environment

Quality of Environment

Air quality in Larimer County is generally within the compliance standards of the Environmental Protection Agency, with the exception of ozone readings taken near Horsetooth Reservoir. (Air Quality)
The most recent samples from the Colorado Division of Wildlife shows potential increases in the prevalence of chronic wasting disease among mule deer and elk herds located in portions of Larimer County. Chronic wasting disease has now been detected in wild moose; 2.7% of the moose in the Larimer County herd are currently estimated to be infected. (Chronic Wasting Disease)
Between 1999 and 2008, Berthoud, Fort Collins, Little Thompson and West Fort Collins were each cited once for health violations. YMCA of the Rockies was cited four times during this time period. (Public Drinking Water Quality)
Between 2006 and 2007, the percentage of days in Fort Collins not in compliance with the State Visibility Standard decreased by 3.6%. (Visibility)
According to the Natural Diversity Information Source, there are 413 species found in Larimer County. Of these, 185 are ‘commonly known’ and there are more species of birds than any other taxonomic class. The burrowing owl, which is listed as “fairly common”, was added to the State Threatened List since 2004. (Wildlife Species)

Use of Resources

Total annual consumption of electricity in Colorado is increasing with largest increases in residential and industrial sectors. According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the population of Colorado grew an estimated 12% from 2000 to 2006. (Electricity Consumption)
From 1997 to 2006, consumption of natural gas in Fort Collinsincreased by 158%, while the number of natural gas customers increased by 46%. Between 2004 and 2005, Fort Collinsexperienced a 167% increase in natural gas consumption. (Natural Gas Consumption)
The total acreage in the Larimer County Open Lands program increased by 156% from 2003 to 2007. In terms of square miles, the total acreage increased from 25.6 square miles in 2003 to 65.5 square miles in 2007 (640 acres = 1 square mile). (Open Lands)
Recycling in Larimer County decreased by 10% from 2000 to 2001 due to changes in collection regulations. Recycling has since rebounded, increasing by 30% from 2002 to 2008. (Recycling)
The amount of solid waste collected at the Larimer County Landfill decreased 125% from 1999 to 2008. According to the 2006 Waste Characterization Study, at least 25.5% of all waste collected at the Landfill is made up of paper products. (Solid Waste)
Larimer County utilized 83% of water resources for crop irrigation (2000). Of all community water systems, the City of Fort Collins had the highest usage (8.9 billion gallons, 2007), however the City of Loveland had large increases in both residential (26%, 2003-2007) and commercial (6%, peaking in 2006) sectors. (Water Consumption)
Wind energy consumption in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park continues to increase as the public becomes aware of the environmental impacts and more wind turbines are available. (Wind Energy Consumption )

Health

Physical Health & Access to Care

Disease & Mortality Rates

In Larimer County, cancer incidence rates increased from 1996 to 2005 while mortality rates decreased from 1998 to 2007. (Cancer Incidence & Mortality)
From 1998 to 2007, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates declined in Colorado and Larimer County and were well below national rates. Males over the age of 75 have the highest mortality rates, while females over 75 have the highest number of total deaths due to CVD. (Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Mortality)
While the rate for diabetes in Larimer County was still below rates for Colorado and United States in 2007, it has shown a gradual increase from 2004 to 2008. (Diabetes)
In 2007, 66% of residents surveyed in Larimer County met the recommended physical activity levels suggested by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In addition, more men than women met the recommended activity guidelines. (Physical Exercise)
From 2002 to 2006, the incidence of local mortality from lung cancer in males and females remained relatively steady; males had a higher rate of lung cancer mortality than females. (Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality)
Both Colorado and Larimer County have lower (better) mortality rates than the nation. Heart disease and cancer represented the greatest causes of death in Larimer County in 2007. (Mortality)
More than half (53.3%) of all Larimer County adults are considered overweight, according to the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey for Larimer County. (Overweight and Obesity)
In Larimer County, Mortality rates due to unintentional injury increased 10% from 1999 (33.1) to 2007 (36.4) and fell significantly short of the Healthy People 2010 goal of 17.5. Injuries that most commonly result in death include motor vehicle accidents and falls. Groups that are most affected include those 65 and older and males. (Unintentional Injury Mortality )

Children's Health

From 2002 to 2006, the most prevalent birth defects among Larimer County infants included heart defects, genital/urinary defects, and muscular/skeletal defects. (Birth Defects)
The eight-year average rate of infant mortality (2000 to 2007) was higher for Colorado than for Larimer County (6.1 per 1,000 compared to 5.0 per 1,000). Colorado and Larimer County’s infant death rates have been consistently lower than the average national rate of 6.8 over the last eight years. (Infant Mortality)
In 2007, Larimer County had 268 low birthweight babies (5.5 lbs or less) and 31 very low birthweight babies (3.3 lbs or less). Larimer County had consistently lower percentages of low birthweight babies than Colorado and the nation. (Low Birthweight Babies)

Gender-Related Health Issues

In 2007, both Larimer County and Colorado had lower female death rates for six of the top ten leading causes of death in the nation. (Women's Health)
In 2006, male mortality rates for the leading causes of death in Colorado exceeded rates in Larimer County for all causes except cancer, stroke, and kidney disease. Between 1998 and 2007, the average number of men who died from prostate cancer in Larimer County was approximately 20 per year. (Men's Health)
From 2003 to 2007, the rate of first trimester prenatal care received by mothers in Larimer County was generally higher than the average of Colorado. In 2007, the Healthy People 2010 target rate of 90% was not met by either the State of Colorado (76.0%) or Larimer County (79.4%). (Prenatal Care)
From 2001 to 2007, Larimer County births to mothers aged 15-17, ranged from a low of 55 (2003) to a high of103 births (2001). Hispanic teen fertility rates continue to be significantly higher than non-Hispanic rates. (Teen Fertility Rates)

Mental Health & Emotional Well-being

The majority of the 2007 Health District Survey respondents reported experiencing depression and other mental health problems, with the percentage of reported depression decreasing slightly from 60% in 2001, to 58% in 2004. (Mental Health Status)
Suicide was the 8th overall leading cause of death in Colorado and Larimer County in 2007. In comparing suicides by age group, the 5-year average suicide rate in Larimer County from 2003 to 2007 was less than the state average with the exception of those in the 55-64 age group and those over the age of 85. (Suicide)

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Alcohol related offenses are consistently the most common reason for adult arrests. From 1995 to 2002, the overall number of adult arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol declined by 2.3 arrests per 1,000. During the same time there was an increase in the rate of arrests involving narcotics (up 1.4 per 1,000). (Adult Alcohol & Drug Arrests)
From 1998 to 2005, percentages of Larimer County and Colorado adults participating in binge drinking and chronic drinking remained fairly stable, according to a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment survey. (Adult Alcohol Use)
In 2007-08, 12.1% of Larimer County residents reported being smokers. This was just slightly higher than the Healthy People 2010 Objective of 12%. ( Adult Tobacco Use)
Between 1999 and 2008, alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Larimer County have fluctuated with the peak occurring in 2001. In five of the past ten years, Larimer County has met or exceeded the Healthy People 2010 target objective of 4.0 alcohol-related traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. (Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities)
Colorado and Larimer County showed both increases and decreases in the percentage of smokers per category from 2001 to 2005. As the Colorado Tobacco Attitudes and Behavior Survey (TABS) has only been conducted twice, it is uncertain whether there are long-term trends. (Community Attitudes Toward Smoking)
For juveniles, alcohol and drug arrests comprise approximately one third of all yearly arrests from 1995 to 2002. In 1999, a new trend began: the percent of juvenile alcohol and drug crime arrests exceeded property crime arrests. (Juvenile Alcohol & Drug Arrests)
From 2003 to 2007, an average of 9.7% of pregnant women in Larimer County consumed alcohol during the last three months of their pregnancy. For that same period, locally, an average of 10.7% of pregnant women smoked. (Perinatal Alcohol and Tobacco Use)
In 2008, Larimer County and Colorado reported the highest number of treatment admissions were for alcohol abuse, averaging 40% of all admissions. (Substance Abuse Treatment)
In 2002, youth in Larimer County School Districts were more likely to use alcohol than to use marijuana and/or cigarettes. Among the three districts, Poudre School District had the highest percentage of 10th and 12th grade students using alcohol, and it was also higher than the state average. Poudre School District also had the highest percentage of 10th and 12th graders who reported binge drinking. A greater percentage of 10th and 12th grade students from Thompson and Poudre School Districts used marijuana than did statewide. The most surprising data was the percentage of students who reported driving while drunk, including students under 16 who do not possess driver's licenses. (Youth Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs: Use, Behavior, Perceptions & Attitudes)
Smoking rates among middle and high school smokers decreased between 2001 and 2006. Quit attempts among high school students increased, with females attempting to quit more often than males. (Youth Attitudes Toward Smoking)

Demographics

Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19 (May 2005) is a study of how successfully youth aging out of foster care transition into adulthood. The results suggest these youth face adulthood with educational deficits, mental health problems, economic insecurity, victimization, and early child-bearing. Executive Summary (Chapin Hall Center for Children, University of Chicago)
From 1990 to 2000, Larimer County's population grew at a slightly faster rate, 35.1%, than that of Colorado (31%). Larimer County continued to rank as the 7th largest county in Colorado according to the 2000 Census. The largest cities in Larimer County, Ft. Collins and Loveland, experienced similar percentage increases in population, 35.2% and 35.5%, respectively. (Population Size and Growth)
In 2008, Larimer County had a higher proportion of adults and a lower percentage of children and seniors than the United States. Larimer County and Colorado have similar proportions of seniors and Larimer County had slightly higher proportion of adults than did Colorado. (Population by Age)
From 2000 to 2007, the number of Larimer County residents identifying themselves as Hispanic increased from 8.3% to 9.8% of the total population. Larimer County continues to have a significantly lower Hispanic population than the Colorado average (19.9%). (Larimer County Population Race & Ethnicity)
Larimer County's 1% difference between the number of males and females in 1990 was all but erased in 2000. The county was split evenly between the sexes with only 186 more women than men in 2000, making the official percentage 50-50. (Population by Gender)

Additional Population Data

In 2008, there were a total of 181 adoption filings in Larimer County. Colorado had a total of 1,483 adoption filings for the same year. (Adoptions)
81% of Larimer County children lived with both parents in 2000, a slight decrease from 1990. The number of children who lived with their fathers more than doubled from 1990 to 2000. (Children in Families - Single and Two Parents)
In Larimer County, the most common type of out-of-home placement from FY2004 to FY2008 was foster homes, either through the Larimer County Family Foster Home program or through Child Placement Agencies. (Children in Out-of-Home Placement)
According to 2000 Census data, individuals with disabilities, within most age groups, were more likely than the general population to be in poverty. The most common types of disabilities in Larimer County were physical, go-outside-home, and employment disabilities. (Disabilities)
Foreign-born residents represent 4.3% of the Larimer County population. The majority of foreign-born residents in Larimer County are from Latin American countries. (Foreign-Born Residents)
There were almost 1000 grandparents in Larimer County who were responsible for the care of their grandchildren in 2000. Over half (54%) had been in that role for more than three years. (Grandparents as Caregivers)
In Larimer County, 83% of households contained married couples, and 45% of those families had children under 18. Householders living alone were the next most predominant household type at 11%. Larimer County had a slightly lower median age (33.2) than the national average. Berthoud had a substantially higher ratio of residents age 65 and older (16.7%) than the county average of 6.3%. (Household Types & Age of Residents)
In 2000, those who did not speak primarily English in the home comprised 8.5% of the population in Larimer County. Among these residents, the primary language spoken in the home was Spanish (12,401 residents). Larimer County is very similar to Colorado and the United States in the proportions of languages spoken in the home. (Language Spoken at Home)
From 2000 to 2008, there were more marriages than divorces in Larimer County. The marriage rate shows steady decrease, ranging from 12.2 to 10.6 per 1,000 adults in Larimer County. With the exception of 2005, the divorce also shows a steady decrease from 7.3 to 5.9 per 1,000 adults in Larimer County. (Marriage-Divorce Rates)
In 2008, the proportion of veterans to the adult population in Larimer County was 10.0%, slightly less than the national percentage of 10.2%. The majority of local veterans served before 1975, with 31% serving only in the Vietnam conflict and 16% serving in World War II (2000 Census data). (Veterans)