Aspen Facts

Demographics and Statistics 

County: Pitkin

County Seat: Aspen

Aspen Zip Code: 81611

Elevation 

7,908 feet in town; 11,212 feet at the top of Aspen Mountain

Climate Winter
(November to March) about 300 inches annual snowfall (but we always hope for more); daytime temperatures average 20-45 degrees, cooler at night. Surprisingly comfortable.

Climate Summer
(June to September) very low humidity, daytime 65-85 degrees, a nearly perfect climate.

Population
City of Aspen; 6,400. In peak weeks of ski season 14,000 and summer 21,000.

Schools
Aspen School District including charter Community School, private K-8 Aspen Country Day School plus many preschools. Graduation rate 98.9%; dropout rate: 1.1%

Transportation
Aspen is 220 miles west of Denver via 1-70 and Hwy 82. Jet service (only 20 minutes in the air) from Denver International Airport; more than 150 flights arrive at local Sardy Field weekly. Direct service from cities (Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis); carriers and schedules vary each season.

Many other direct flight options out of Eagle airport (about a 90-minute drive, all of it on 4-lane highway with no mountain passes). Public bus system with free shuttles to the four ski mountains. Of course, taxi, car rental, limo, and air charter service available. Updated facility for private general aviation.

Government
City of Aspen. County of Pitkin. Center of Passionate Debate (about everything).

Recreation
Four ski areas, one municipal golf course, private Maroon Creek Club golf course, health clubs, community parks, recreation center and pool, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, rollerblading, kayaking, parasailing, fly fishing, four-wheeling, National Forest and wilderness in your backyard. Home to a wealth of cultural events including literary, jazz, wine and food festivals, dance, theater; and the summer-long Aspen Music Festival.

Transportation

Highway 82 is the only major roadway in Pitkin County leading into and out of Aspen via I 70 at Glenwood Springs to the north and over 12,000-foot Independence Pass to the south. Public transportation is easy to use throughout the valley. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, with over 40,000 take-offs and landings annually, is the 3rd busiest in the state, behind Denver and Colorado Springs.

Our Highlights

Pitkin County is best known for its four world-class ski resorts: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.

Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy with arts, cultural and recreational events providing a year-round attraction. The area is also rich in mining and ranching history. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails protects and maintains nearly 9,000 acres of the county’s most coveted undeveloped property and ranchland.

Demographics

2000 Population*

 Population/City of Aspen: 5,914

Male: 3,165

Female: 2,749

White: 5,615

Hispanic/Latino of Any Race: 363

Mexican: 252

Puerto Rican: 5

Cuban: 5

Other Hispanic: 101

Black: 26

Indian/Alaskan: 14

Asian: 86

Hawaiian/Pacific: 5

Asian Indian: 2

Chinese: 30

Filipino: 9

Japanese: 20

Korean: 12

Vietnamese: 10

Other Asian: 3

More Than One Race: 71

Other: 97

Median Age/City of Aspen: 36.7

Population/Pitkin County: 14,872

Male: 7,958

Female: 6,914

White: 14,029

Hispanic/Latino of Any Race: 973

Mexican: 655

Puerto Rican: 18

Cuban: 11

Other Hispanic: 289

Black: 79

Indian/Alaskan: 40

Asian: 167

Hawaiian/Pacific: 6

Asian Indian: 10

Chinese: 64

Filipino: 18

Japanese: 32

Korean: 14

Vietnamese: 12

Other Asian: 17

More Than One Race: 199

Other: 352

Median Age/Pitkin County: 38.4

*Aspen Board of Realtors