LaPorte is a census-designated place located in Larimer County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 2,691. The town is located on the Cache La Poudre River northwest of Fort Collins, near the place where the river emerges from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

History

The name means "the door" in French. The town was named by French-Canadian fur trappers, many with Native American wives, who settled in the area in the mid 19th century. According to legend, a group of fur traders had earlier stashed supplies (including gunpowder) in a cache along the river near LaPorte, and that is how the river got its name.

In November 1861, the territorial legislature designated Laporte as the county seat. In 1862 the first post office opened, and a stage stop was built on the Overland Trail . That same year Camp Collins was established by the U.S. Army along the river to protect the stage line from attack by Native Americans. Also that same year, the LaPorte Townsite Company claimed 1,280 acres (5 km²) of land for the town. The army post was destroyed in a flood 1864, prompting the army to relocate the post downstream to a location in present-day Fort Collins. In 1881, a state election was held to determine the location of the state capital. Denver won over LaPorte by one vote.

Geography

LaPorte is located at 40°38'2" North, 105°8'56" West (40.633808, -105.148819).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.9 km² (6.1 mi²). 15.8 km² (6.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.49% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 2,691 people, 1,074 households, and 718 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 170.0/km² (440.6/mi²). There are 1,108 housing units at an average density of 70.0/km² (181.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 92.49% White, 0.22% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.34% from other races, and 3.42% from two or more races. 8.06% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,074 households out of which 33.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% are non-families. 24.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the CDP the population is spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 102.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP is $46,630, and the median income for a family is $52,500. Males have a median income of $30,602 versus $25,571 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $19,870. 5.6% of the population and 4.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.6% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

North Forty News, History of LaPorte