Colorado

Washington

4,817
2020 population
1890
first census record
14
census records

About Washington

Washington, Colorado, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 2,301. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 4,817.

Its recorded population peaked at 11,208 in 1920, and has since declined by roughly 57 percent.

On the ground today, 6 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Rush Creek, Bijou Creek Fight, Republican River Expedition 1869 – Summit Springs, and 4 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20204,817
20104,814
20004,926
19904,812
19805,304
19705,550
19606,625
19507,520
19408,336
19309,591
192011,208
19106,002
19001,241
18902,301
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Washington

Military engagements that took place in Washington, Colorado.

Battle of Rush Creek
1864
Bijou Creek Fight
1867
Republican River Expedition 1869 – Summit Springs
1869
Battle of Summit Springs (July 11, 1869)
1869
Battle of Summit Springs — Indian village attack
1869
Battle of Summit Springs (Tall Bull)
1869

Historic places in Washington

National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington, Colorado.

West Plum Bush Creek Bridge
Last Chance
Plum Bush Creek Bridge
Last Chance
Browse all Coloradohistoric sites ›

Other counties in Colorado

Explore census history and historic records for more Colorado counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Washington County, Colorado

This page charts the census history of Washington County, Colorado. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Coloradohistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Colorado›

Frequently asked about Washington

When does Washington first appear in the US census?
Washington, Colorado first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 2,301.
What is the population of Washington?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Washington had a recorded population of 4,817.
When did Washington's population peak?
Washington's recorded population peaked at 11,208 in 1920.
Were any battles fought in Washington?
6 documented military engagements took place in Washington, including Battle of Rush Creek, Bijou Creek Fight, Republican River Expedition 1869 – Summit Springs.
How many historic places are in Washington?
4 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, Colorado.
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