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CNAPTERTHREE Affected Environment <br />about the same as the statewide rate for service jobs. The 1997 number of mining related <br />positions was less than one percent of total employment. <br />Tota] annual wages in Garfield County were approximately $392 million in 199"t, equivalent to <br />about $24,000 per worker. This was about $2,000 less than for Rio Blanco County, and $6,000 <br />less than the statewide average of $30,000 per worker. Through the yeaz 2020, the Bureau of <br />Economic Affairs projects that total county employment would increase by 34 p~;rcent and that <br />county per capita income would grow by approximately 30 percent. Recent ina~me and <br />employment data are not available for study azea communities. However, the 1990 Census <br />indicated the following: <br />SELECTED 1989 ECONONIIC INDICATORS <br />FOR STUDY AREA TOWNS <br /> <br />:.:::::::.::::::::..:.:.:.: :...:".:::::-i':.::.:. ,... :. <br />:1K'I«i8u'FIousekald'~aCaate::;; . <br />Rio Blanco County $29,243 . <br />Meeker $25,927 <br />Rangely $32,757 <br />Garfield County $39,176 . <br />Parachute $22,083 <br />Rifle $25,126 <br />Glenwood Springs $28,715 <br />Colorado $30,140 <br />Source: USDC 1998. <br />3.14.3 Population <br />In 1997, the study area population was 45,369 (CDLG 1997). The population of Rio Blanco <br />County was 7,117 and the population of Garfield County was 38,252. Since 1981), the study area <br />population increased by more than 16,000 (a 58 percent increase). Rio Blanco and Ga~eld <br />counties have experienced somewhat different population patterns since 1980. <br />Rio Blanco County declined in population from 1980 to 1985 and added only 32 residents <br />between 1985 and 1490. From 1990 to 1996, the population increased by 913 individuals. By <br />the year 2010, Rio Blanco County is expected to have a population of approximately 9,065 <br />(CDLG 1998a). <br />The population of Garfield County has increased at a more rapid pace compared to Rio Blanco <br />County. For example, Garfield County's population increased from 22,514 (198(1) to 38,252 <br />(1997), an increase of 70 percent. This growth occurred as a result of increases in construction <br />employment associated with accelerated development of real estate and resort facilities, and also <br />because of growth in tourism-based trade and service employment along Interstate: 70 and in <br />Glenwood Springs and adjacent Pitkin County (Aspen-Snowmass). By the year 2010, it is <br />expected that Garfield County's population would increase to 52,273 individuals (CDLG 1998a). <br />3-56 Socioeconomics <br />