Duchesne County, Utah

Its name is of uncertain origin, there being six origins given:

1. The Ute Indian word doo-shane meaning dark canyon.
2. Fort Duchesne, built by the French.
3. Rose du Chesne[?], founder of the Sacred Heart in Utah.
4. An early Indian chief[?] in the region.
5. An 1830s French fur trapper[?].
6. Andre Duchesne[?], a French geographer and historian.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,433 km² (3,256 mi²). 8,387 km² (3,238 mi²) of it is land and 46 km² (18 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.55% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 14,371 people, 4,559 households, and 3,669 families residing in the county. The population density is 2/km² (4/mi²). There are 6,988 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (2/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.15% White, 0.15% African American, 5.35% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. 3.53% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,559 households out of which 46.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.90% are married couples living together, 8.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 19.50% are non-families. 16.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.11 and the average family size is 3.51.

In the county, the population is spread out with 36.80% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 28 years. For every 100 females there are 102.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $31,298, and the median income for a family is $35,350. Males have a median income of $31,988 versus $19,692 for females. The per capita income for the county is $12,326. 16.80% of the population and 14.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.60% are under the age of 18 and 12.40% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Altamont
• Duchesne
• Myton
• Neola
• Roosevelt
• Tabiona