About The Area
GEOGRAPHY, EDUCATION, AND DEMOGRAPHICS
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GEOGRAPHY
El Paso County lies in east central Colorado with a population of 720,500. It encompasses more than 2,158 square miles, measuring as much as 42 miles north-to-south and 54 miles east-to-west. The mild climate, on average, supplies 285 days of sunshine and very low levels of humidity. The western portion of El Paso County is extremely mountainous; the eastern part is prairie land. The altitude ranges from about 5,095 feet on the southern border to 14,110 feet on the summit of Pikes Peak, near the western boundary. The magnificent scenery inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the poem “America the Beautiful” after her visit here. Sources: census.gov; https://www.elpasoco.com/about-el-paso-county/ |
EDUCATION LEVELS AND SPENDING
The county population is well educated overall. For those over the age of 25, 94% have a High School education and 38% have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Statewide, there are more than 910 thousand students attending 1888 schools (1638 traditional; 250 charter) in 179 school districts and 19 BOCES. In El Paso County alone, there 120,776 students attending 229 schools in 15 different districts. Satewide spending averages just over $10K per student, with total statewide spending of $9.32B. The per-student spending in El Paso County school districts ranges from a low of $8,639 to a high of $13,683. Sources: https://coloradok12financialtransparency.com/#/statewide; https://www.census.gov/quickfacts |
DEMOGRAPHICS & EDUCATION
Colorado in general, and El Paso County in particular, often have an inaccurate reputation of being devoid of minorities. While the percentage of African-Americans is indeed lower (roughly only half of the national average), the overall minority population in Colorado and the County are just a few percentage points below the national average, and the Hispanic population percentage roughly mirrors the national figures.
People of Color Black Hispanic
United States 39.6% 13.4% 18.3%
Colorado 32.1% 4.6% 21.7%
El Paso County 31.1% 6.9% 17.5%
Schools, however, reflect significantly different percentages (see graphic below). Whereas people of color reflect 31% of the County population, they represent nearly 44% of the students, yet only 12% of the teachers and 14% of Principals and Assistant Principals. The disparity of representation is one reason B.E.N.’s mission and work are so needed and important.
County Colorado El Paso
Students of Color 47.1% 43.7%
Teachers of Color 12.5% 12.1%
Principals/Assistant Principals of Color 16.8% 13.9%
Sources: Census.gov; Colorado Department of Education; http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval
DEMOGRAPHICS & EDUCATION
Colorado in general, and El Paso County in particular, often have an inaccurate reputation of being devoid of minorities. While the percentage of African-Americans is indeed lower (roughly only half of the national average), the overall minority population in Colorado and the County are just a few percentage points below the national average, and the Hispanic population percentage roughly mirrors the national figures.
People of Color Black Hispanic
United States 39.6% 13.4% 18.3%
Colorado 32.1% 4.6% 21.7%
El Paso County 31.1% 6.9% 17.5%
Schools, however, reflect significantly different percentages (see graphic below). Whereas people of color reflect 31% of the County population, they represent nearly 44% of the students, yet only 12% of the teachers and 14% of Principals and Assistant Principals. The disparity of representation is one reason B.E.N.’s mission and work are so needed and important.
County Colorado El Paso
Students of Color 47.1% 43.7%
Teachers of Color 12.5% 12.1%
Principals/Assistant Principals of Color 16.8% 13.9%
Sources: Census.gov; Colorado Department of Education; http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval
