Wiggins is a statutory town in Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,401 as of the 2020 census,[5] up from 893 at the 2010 census.

Wiggins, Colorado
Town of Wiggins
The Wiggins Municipal Building
The Wiggins Municipal Building
Location in Morgan County, Colorado
Location in Morgan County, Colorado
Wiggins is located in Colorado
Wiggins
Wiggins
Wiggins is located in the United States
Wiggins
Wiggins
Coordinates: 40°13′49″N 104°4′24″W / 40.23028°N 104.07333°W / 40.23028; -104.07333
Country United States
State Colorado
County[1]Morgan County
Established1882
IncorporatedOctober 11, 1974[2]
Named forOliver P. Wiggins
Government
 • TypeStatutory town[1]
Area
 • Total1.33 sq mi (3.44 km2)
 • Land1.32 sq mi (3.43 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation4,554 ft (1,388 m)
Population
 • Total1,401
 • Density1,059.0/sq mi (408.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code[6]
80654
Area code970
FIPS code08-84770
GNIS feature ID0204698[4]
Websitetownofwiggins.colorado.gov

The community was established in 1882 as the Burlington Railroad depot of "Corona". Around 1900, Corona was renamed in honor of Oliver P. Wiggins,[7] who had served as a guide and scout for Captain John C. Frémont on some of his explorations through northern Colorado in the 1840s and who had accompanied Kit Carson for 12 years on his expeditions.

Geography edit

Wiggins is in western Morgan County on the south side of Interstate 76, which leads east 15 miles (24 km) to Fort Morgan, the county seat, and southwest 64 miles (103 km) to Denver. U.S. Route 34 splits off from I-76 just north of the town, leading northwest 38 miles (61 km) to Greeley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Wiggins has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.010 km2), or 0.30%, are water.[3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1980531
1990499−6.0%
200083867.9%
20108936.6%
20201,40156.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 838 people, 265 households, and 210 families residing in the town. The population density was 938.4 inhabitants per square mile (362.3/km2). There were 279 housing units at an average density of 312.4 per square mile (120.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 82.10% White, 1.19% African American, 2.27% Native American, 12.89% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.06% of the population.

There were 265 households, out of which 46.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.52.

The age of the town's population is spread out, with 37.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $34,219. Males had a median income of $26,296 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,827. About 15.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education edit

Wiggins is home to the Wiggins RE-50J school district. The district includes Wiggins Elementary School, Wiggins Middle School and Wiggins High School.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  2. ^ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. December 1, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wiggins, Colorado
  5. ^ a b "P1. Race – Wiggins town, Colorado: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "ZIP Code Lookup" (JavaScript/HTML). United States Postal Service. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  7. ^ Dawson, John Frank. Place names in Colorado: why 700 communities were so named, 150 of Spanish or Indian origin. Denver, CO: The J. Frank Dawson Publishing Co. p. 52.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links edit