La Plata County Demographics
A map of La Plata County's Population by Race
La Plata County, Colorado has an estimated population of 56,331, a slight increase from the 55,638 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.1% White, 12.9% Hispanic, 5.8% Native American/Other, 4.3% Multiracial, 0.8% Asian, and 0.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of La Plata County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
La Plata is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Colorado overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In La Plata County, that probability was 39.8% in 2020 and 40.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.
La Plata County is ranked the 14th most populous county in Colorado, out of 64 counties. La Plata County was ranked the 15th most populous county in the 2020 Census.
La Plata County's White Population
42,847 residents of La Plata County, or 76.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in La Plata County is considerably higher than in Colorado overall, where 64.8% of the population is White. La Plata County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 76.1%.
La Plata County is more White than neighboring Montezuma County (70.5% White). La Plata County is less White than neighboring San Juan County (76.2% White), Hinsdale County (86.6% White), Archuleta County (77.4% White), and Dolores County (82.7% White).
La Plata County's Black Population
110 residents of La Plata County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in La Plata County is slightly lower than in Colorado overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. La Plata County ranks 49th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's Black population has declined by an estimated 39.6%. Black residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.
La Plata County is more Black than neighboring San Juan County (0% Black), Archuleta County (0% Black), and Dolores County (0% Black). La Plata County is less Black than neighboring Montezuma County (0.7% Black), and Hinsdale County (0.3% Black).
La Plata County's Asian Population
452 residents of La Plata County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in La Plata County is slightly lower than in Colorado overall, where 3.2% of the population is Asian. La Plata County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 18.6%. Asian residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.
La Plata County is more Asian than neighboring San Juan County (0% Asian), Hinsdale County (0% Asian), Archuleta County (0.7% Asian), and Dolores County (0% Asian). La Plata County is less Asian than neighboring Montezuma County (0.9% Asian).
La Plata County's Hispanic Population
7,244 residents of La Plata County, or 12.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in La Plata County is lower than in Colorado overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. La Plata County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.4%. Hispanic residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.9%.
La Plata County is more Hispanic than neighboring Montezuma County (12.5% Hispanic), Hinsdale County (1.9% Hispanic), and Dolores County (9.9% Hispanic). La Plata County is less Hispanic than neighboring San Juan County (18.2% Hispanic), and Archuleta County (16.6% Hispanic).
La Plata County's Native American/Other Population
3,283 residents of La Plata County, or 5.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in La Plata County is slightly higher than in Colorado overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. La Plata County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.8%.
La Plata County is more Native American/Other than neighboring San Juan County (1% Native American/Other), Hinsdale County (2.9% Native American/Other), Archuleta County (1.5% Native American/Other), and Dolores County (2.8% Native American/Other). La Plata County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Montezuma County (9.7% Native American/Other).
La Plata County's Multiracial Population
2,395 residents of La Plata County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in La Plata County is comparable to the share in Colorado overall, where 4.6% of the population is Multiracial. La Plata County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 64 counties.
Since the 2020 Census, La Plata County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.5%. Multiracial residents' share of La Plata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.
La Plata County is more Multiracial than neighboring Archuleta County (3.7% Multiracial). La Plata County is less Multiracial than neighboring San Juan County (4.6% Multiracial), Montezuma County (5.7% Multiracial), Hinsdale County (8.4% Multiracial), and Dolores County (4.5% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.