Gunbarrel is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place (CDP) located in and governed by Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The CDP is a part of the Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the Gunbarrel CDP was 9,554 at the 2020 United States census.

Two reservoirs operated by the Boulder and Left Hand Irrigation Company, are located in central Gunbarrel. The Twin Lakes Open Space, a large park which includes the two reservoirs and extends west along the ditch, is operated by the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department. The park brings protected wetlands, jogging trails and green spaces directly into the urban area. The City of Boulder operates Eaton Park, adjacent to the west lake. Flood control facilities are integral to the reservoir and canal systems, but they do not eliminate the flood risk to adjacent development.

The Gunbarrel CDP has an area of , including of water. free of charge for property owners in the unincorporated areas of the county. Boulder County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which allows some reduction in the cost of flood insurance for residents.

Climate

Demographics

<!-- As of the census of 2010, there were 9,435 people, 4,024 households, and 2,547 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 4,237 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 79.78% White, 9.35% African American, 0.41% Native American, 2.73% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.84% of the population.

There were 4,024 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 30.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,022, and the median income for a family was $86,922. Males had a median income of $60,994 versus $37,091 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $36,478. About 5.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

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The United States Census Bureau initially defined the for the

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Gunbarrel had a population of 9,554. The median age was 43.2 years. 15.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.8 males age 18 and over.

94.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 5.2% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,398 households in Gunbarrel, of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.7% were married-couple households, 21.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. They felt they needed to counterbalance the city's annexation and development powers and better manage the traffic city development was creating. The GPID is administered by the Boulder County commissioners. The GPID is a 'special district' under Colorado law, with the ability to levy taxes and incur debt. GPID uses this money to purchase open space and improve roads in the unincorporated subdivisions, consistent with their primary mission of maintaining quality of life and property values in unincorporated Gunbarrel. GPID open space lands are managed by Boulder County Parks and Open Space. A map of GPID lands can be found at the Gunbarrel Community Association website. This map also depicts the boundaries of the District's taxation area.

Transportation

The 205 bus of the RTD bus system gives service throughout Gunbarrel and into Boulder. Roads and streets in Gunbarrel are maintained by Boulder County.

The RTD regional route J also provides a peak hours connection to the University of Colorado and Longmont. It is intended that, once built to its planned full extent, the RTD B Line will have a station in Gunbarrel.

See also

  • Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area

References

  • My Gunbarrel
  • Gunbarrel @ YourBoulder.com
  • Greater Gunbarrel
  • Twin Lakes Action Group
  • Boulder County website