Basalt

You will see remnants of its history in Victorian-styled buildings and the old charcoal kilns.

Welcome to Basalt

History

Basalt was formed in the late 1880s when the two small communities of Frying Pan Junction and Aspen Junction joined together on land formerly occupied by the Ute Indians. Frying Pan, the first settlement in the area, was established in 1882 on the south side of the trout-rich Frying Pan River. It was a tent city where men who worked the nearby charcoal kilns were housed. Aspen Junction was created in 1887 to accommodate workers on the Colorado Midland Railroad.
 
Construction of the railroad, which had begun in 1885, quickly connected the town of Leadville through Hagerman Pass to Aspen Junction, along the Frying Pan River, and then branching out to Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction. The railroad's arrival not only facilitated the transporting charcoal and ore but also brought people and supplies. Folks from Frying Pan soon moved across the river and Aspen Junction quickly became a town with a general store, a boarding house, a restaurant, and several saloons. By 1890 there was a post office in Aspen Junction but five years later, so as not to confuse the location with Aspen or Grand Junction, the name was changed to Basalt. (A natural choice due to the basalt rock just north of the settlement.)
 
The Town of Basalt was officially incorporated in October 1901. It remained a vital railroad center until 1919 when the railroad closed. Mining, ranching, and farming became the main occupations of area residents and their town was lined with Victorian charm. For decades, until the advent of the ski industry in and around Aspen, Basalt was known primarily as a ranching community. Then, in the 1960s, many residents found employment valley with the rapid popularity of skiing and the growth of tourism.
 

Present

Facts: Population approximately 4,000; elevation 6,611 feet; land area 1.9 square miles, situated at the confluence of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers.
 
Walk around downtown Basalt today and you will see remnants of its history in Victorian-styled buildings and the old charcoal kilns not far from the new home of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Innovation Center, a world-famous “think and do” tank. The small town is filled with restaurants, galleries, shops, professional offices, and a contemporary public library. It is the epicenter for many recreational activities: gold-medal fly-fishing, cycling, jogging, hiking, boating on the Reudi Reservoir, rafting, kayaking, and golfing at the nearby Roaring Fork Club. Beautiful scenery exists any time of year. Take a drive or bike ride along the Frying Pan River and marvel at the deep red rock formations in the Seven Castles area and large private properties along the route.
 
The town is also characterized by a creative arts culture with several galleries, a community arts center, and many resident artists. A vibrant music scene is also found in local restaurants and at a variety of outdoor concerts all summer long.
 
Today the environs of Basalt stretch well beyond the downtown area. Located to the south and west along Highway 82 are Southside, the Basalt Design Center, Willits, and Willits Town Center. These more recent developments have expanded Basalt’s residential, commercial, and service choices manyfold. The newest additions include a Whole Foods Market, several medical and professional offices, loft-style living, and the Westin Element Basalt-Aspen Hotel.
 
Basalt is still growing as development along the Roaring Fork River and plans for revitalizing the downtown core are on the drawing board.
 
Those who call Basalt home and tourists who come to visit do not want outdoor activities or a robust quality of life. All this and less than 20 miles to world-class skiing and Aspen.

Overview for Basalt, CO

3,802 people live in Basalt, where the median age is 49.8 and the average individual income is $57,643. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

3,802

Total Population

49.8 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$57,643

Average individual Income

Around Basalt, CO

There's plenty to do around Basalt, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

40
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
56
Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Open Sesame, The Whole Empanada, and El JeBeverage.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 2.1 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 2.28 miles 5 reviews 4.8/5 stars
Dining 3 miles 4 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 2.29 miles 23 reviews 4.7/5 stars
Shopping 0.38 miles 4 reviews 4.8/5 stars
Active 0.57 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Basalt, CO

Basalt has 1,722 households, with an average household size of 2.21. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Basalt do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 3,802 people call Basalt home. The population density is 1,909.13 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

3,802

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

49.8

Median Age

50.37 / 49.63%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
1,722

Total Households

2.21

Average Household Size

$57,643

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Basalt, CO

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Basalt. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

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