Founded by William H. Tucker, Craig was incorporated as a city on April 24, 1908. The town was named for one of the town's financial backers, Reverend William Bayard Craig. Craig became the county seat when Moffat County was created out of the western portion of Routt County on February 27, 1911. In the same area as Craig, at the confluence of the Yampa River and Fortification Creek, were previous towns known as Yampa and Windsor. In 1878, the area consisted of a number of ranches and at least two businesses: Himley's Ferry and Peck's Store. In the 1970s and early 1980s, the largest power generation plant in Colorado and several coal mines were constructed near Craig.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,189 people, 3,525 households, and 2,432 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,886.6 people per square mile. There were 3,851 housing units at an average density of 790.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92.56% White, 0.30% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.84% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.80% of the population. There were 3,525 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $41,091, and the median income for a family was $45,504. Males had a median income of $38,038 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,140. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Craig is, according to the local chamber of commerce, "Elk Hunting Capital of the World".
Notable people
Jennifer LeRoy is an American model and actress. She was chosen as Playboy'sPlaymate of the Month in February 1993.
Chance Phelps was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who became known when Lt. Col. Michael Strobl escorted his remains from Iraq. Lt. Col. Strobl recorded his account of the escort in "Taking Chance", an article which was later made into a full-length movie by HBO under the same title.
Dennis Preece was a Hall of Fame wrestling coach who attended the local high school in Craig, Colorado graduating in 1958.
Angus Ellis Taylor was a Mathematician and Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz.
