La Plata County added about 850 new residents last year, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Last week, the Census Bureau released its 2016 population estimates, which tracks population trends throughout the country year over year, starting in July.
In La Plata County, the new population total is 55,623 residents, which shows an increase of 1.56 percent from 54,770 residents in 2015.
That rate of increase slowed slightly from population estimates from 2014 to 2015, which saw an increase of residents at a rate of 1.65 percent.
During the last five years, La Plata County has seen an average increase of residents of 1.44 percent per year, from 51,374 residents in 2010 to 55,623 residents in 2016.
According to the state’s “2016 Population and Economic Overview” report, La Plata County is expected to gain from 30,001 to 60,000 residents by 2050.
It’s estimated the population throughout Colorado will near 6 million by 2050.
That same report said La Plata County showed 1 to 3.5 percent more jobs from 2014 to 2015.
The Census Bureau also estimated that Colorado’s statewide population is 5,540,545 people, up about 91,700 residents from last year. It is the seventh-highest growth rate among U.S. states.
El Paso County added the most people in the state last year, followed by Denver County and Weld County.
San Juan County, the least populated county in the state, logged the same amount of people living there this year as last, with 694 residents.
The U.S. Census Bureau did not have information related directly to the town of Durango. According to a state report, the city’s population in 2015 was 18,288 residents. The 2016 population estimate will be released in May.
