The Adams County Board of Commissioners plans to address the rapid growth projected for the county through a series of policy changes and shared visioning with stakeholders countywide. From 2000-2010, Adams County had the second highest growth rate in the Denver metropolitan area and was the 10th fastest growing county out of 64 counties in the state of Colorado."Adams County is projected to grow from its current population of 441,603 to a population exceeding 740,000 by 2040," said Chairman W. R. "Skip" Fischer, in reference to forecasts from the Department of Local Affairs. "This data will guide the commissioners in maintaining the ability to meet the needs of our growing citizenry. It will also serve as a platform to engage stakeholders as we take a comprehensive approach to planning."
In Adams County, 87 percent of the land is outside of city boundaries; yet 80 percent of the population lives in a city. From 2000 to 2010, unincorporated Adams County decreased in area by 21,000 acres through annexations. Commerce City has annexed the most land in the past 10 years, followed by Thornton.
In the 2000 Census, 62 percent of Adams County residents identified themselves as white, non-Hispanic; in the 2010 Census, that figure dropped to 55 percent. In 2010, 28 percent of the residents identified themselves as Hispanic, compared to 23 percent in 2000. For other ethnicities, the population stayed constant with two percent of the residents identifying themselves as black, non-Hispanic, one percent as American Indian and three percent as Asian. Eleven percent listed themselves as "Other" in 2010; compared with nine percent in 2000.
"Compared to the state of Colorado, Adams County is more ethnically diverse and has continued to become more diverse over the last 10 years," said Commissioner Erik Hansen. "We need to be at the forefront in guiding the county to make sure we are being responsive to the challenges and opportunities that come with changing demographics."
According to American Community Survey estimates released in 2010, Adams County median household income is approximately $55,000, a decrease from the median household income level in 2000. All counties in the metro region saw a decrease in median household income during this period.
"Less than 20 percent of Adams County residents have a college degree," said Commissioner Alice J. Nichol. "We need to create countywide goals that include higher percentages of educational attainment, enhanced quality of life amenities and the addition of new targeted industries that will attract an influx of high-paying jobs into our community. We need to create upward mobility for our residents. It will be an ambitious undertaking, but with the right planning and a comprehensive shared vision among the locally elected officials, economic developers and educational leaders, we can create a solid blueprint that will bring the right kind of growth to Adams County."
