City Town Info

Alamosa, CO


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Alamosa, Colorado

Introduction to Alamosa, Colorado

Located in Alamosa county, the city of Alamosa, Colorado, is 87 miles SW of Pueblo,Colorado (center to center) and 110 miles SW of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has a population of 7,960 residents.

Alamosa History

The earliest settlements in what is now the area in and around the San Louis Valley were created more than 11,000 years ago by the native American tribes Clovis and Folsom, whose main occupation was hunting. During the 1500s Spain claimed the land, and attracted many settlers through establishment of land grants. In the 1850s, the area had its first permanent settlements. Two years after the State of Colorado was formed, many settlers traveling by narrow gauge train across the country would stop at a sheltered bend in the Rio Grande, where there were huge groves of cottonwood. The population of this area grew rapidly, eventually resulting in the forming the city of Alamosa in the year 1878; the name Alamosa meaning "cottonwood" in Spanish.

Alamosa and nearby Attractions

  • Fort Garland Historical Museum
  • Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
  • San Luis State Park
  • Cattails Golf Course
  • Rio Grande National Forest

Things To Do In Alamosa

Alamosa is the home of historic Fort Garland. Another popular spot in the city is the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, which attracts migratory birds and other animals. San Luis State park also is a haven for a variety of wildlife.

Alamosa Transportation

The closest airport to Alamosa is the San Luis Valley Regional Airport.

Alamosa Higher Education

There are several schools for higher education in Alamosa. Among them are the Adams State college, Pueblo Community college, University of Southern Colorado, and the Western State college.

High Points

Alamosa strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Colorado):

CategoryTrophy
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)
Top 1%trophyAlamosa Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 2%trophyAlamosa Walking and Biking to Work
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 8%Alamosa Racial Diversity
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)
Top 13%Alamosa Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)
Top 15%Alamosa Affordability of Property Taxes

Comparative Profile of Alamosa, CO

Comparing Alamosa to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Colorado (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Racial Diversity810
Children Under 5 Years Old76
Female Share of the Population69
Male Share of the Population52
Senior Citizens36
Well-Paid Single Men22
Age of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Average Household Size44
Portion of People Married22

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults87
Median Family Income22
People in Middle Class or Better11
People Above Poverty11

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Short Commute Times1010
Walking and Biking to Work1010
Working at Home42
Public Transportation Use23

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals99
Affordability of Rents99
People Living Alone99
Affordability of Property Taxes98
Housing Recently Built54
Seasonal and Vacation Housing54

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime22
Low Violent Crime11

Detailed pages on related topics: Alamosa collegesAlamosa travelAlamosa mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

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Alamosa colleges and trade schools.
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Alamosa hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Alamosa MortgageAlamosa Mortgage
Alamosa property, mortgage, and real estate.

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