Arapahoe County is located in the state of Colorado and covers an area of 805 square miles. It is situated in the south-central part of the state and is bordered by Adams County to the north, Denver County to the east, Douglas County to the south, and Jefferson County to the west.
The landscape of Arapahoe County is varied, ranging from flat plains in the eastern part of the county to rolling hills in its western regions. The county is also home to several mountain ranges including South Park Range, Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park.
The climate of Arapahoe County is typically dry and sunny with cold winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months and 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.
Arapahoe County has a population of 597,843 people as per 2018 estimates with a population density of 743 people per square mile making it one of Colorado’s most populous counties. The county seat is Littleton which has a population of 42,389 people as per 2018 estimates.
In terms of transportation Arapahoe County has two major airports; Denver International Airport located just outside its borders in neighboring Denver County, and Centennial Airport located within its borders near Aurora city limits. The county also has several highways that connect it with other parts of Colorado while public transportation options are provided by RTD (Regional Transportation District).
Overall, Arapahoe County offers visitors stunning landscapes, pleasant climate and plenty of recreational activities making it an ideal destination for those looking for an escape from their busy lives.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Arapahoe County, Colorado
The county seat of Arapahoe County is Littleton, which is located in the south-central part of the county. As per 2018 estimates, Littleton has a population of 42,389 people and is home to many historic buildings and sites such as Littleton Historical Museum, South Platte River Trail and Clement Park.
Aurora is another major city in Arapahoe County with a population of 357,505 people as per 2018 estimates. Situated near Denver International Airport, Aurora has grown rapidly over the past few decades and today it serves as an important economic hub for the region. The city is known for its vibrant arts scene with several museums, galleries and performing arts centers. See cities in Colorado.
Englewood is another major city in Arapahoe County located just south of downtown Denver. It has a population of 32,867 people as per 2018 estimates and offers plenty of recreational activities such as hiking trails at Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, shopping at Englewood Centre Mall and golfing at Wellshire Golf Course.
Centennial is a smaller city located in the southeast corner of Arapahoe County with a population of 109,533 people as per 2018 estimates. Centennial serves as an important transportation hub with Centennial Airport located within its borders while other attractions include Heritage Village Museum & Event Center and South Suburban Parks & Recreation’s Greenland Open Space.
Finally, Greenwood Village is another small city in Arapahoe County located just east of Denver International Airport with a population of 15,415 people as per 2018 estimates. The city offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities such as Cherry Creek State Park along with several shopping centers including Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Streets at Southglenn Mall.
History of Arapahoe County, Colorado
Arapahoe County, Colorado has a long and rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. In 1861, Arapahoe County was established as one of the original 17 counties in Colorado. The county was named after the Arapaho Native American tribe who lived in the area. It was also home to many other Native American tribes including the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche and Apache.
In 1864, gold was discovered in Cherry Creek which spurred a rush of prospectors and settlers to Arapahoe County. During this time period, several towns were established including Littleton, Englewood and Aurora. The growing population caused an influx of businesses and industries to move into the area as well. By 1881, Arapahoe County had become one of the most populous counties in Colorado with over 30,000 residents.
In addition to its booming population growth during this time period, Arapahoe County also saw significant advancements in transportation infrastructure with railroads connecting it to neighboring cities like Denver and Boulder. This allowed for easier access to resources such as coal which helped fuel many of the businesses that had moved into the area during this time period.
Throughout much of its history, Arapahoe County has been known for its agriculture production with several large farms located throughout the area during this time period. The county was also home to several military installations due to its close proximity to Denver and Boulder including Buckley Air Force Base which is currently active today.
Economy of Arapahoe County, Colorado
Arapahoe County, Colorado is home to a diverse economy with a great deal of growth potential. The county has seen significant industrial and commercial development in recent years, creating a variety of employment opportunities. The county’s strategic location between Denver and Boulder has also helped to attract businesses from both cities as well as those from outside the area.
The county’s primary industries include agriculture, manufacturing, technology, finance and healthcare. Agriculture is the largest sector in Arapahoe County with many farms located throughout the area that grow crops such as corn, wheat and hay. Manufacturing is also very important with several factories located in the area that produce items such as furniture, clothing and electronics.
In addition to these traditional industries, Arapahoe County has seen an influx of technology companies in recent years due to its close proximity to Denver and Boulder. This includes companies such as IBM and Google who have operations located within the county boundaries.
The finance industry is also present in Arapahoe County with numerous banks, credit unions and financial advisors providing services throughout the area. Finally, healthcare is another major sector within Arapahoe County with several hospitals including St Anthony’s Hospital located in Aurora which serves residents throughout the region.
Overall, Arapahoe County’s economy has been experiencing steady growth for many years due to its strategic location between Denver and Boulder as well as its diverse range of industries providing employment opportunities for local residents.