Superior is a Statutory Town in Boulder County in the U.S. state of Colorado, with a small, uninhabited segment of land area extending into Jefferson County. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city was 12,483.
History
Superior's history is one of coal mining. The first mines in the area were developed in the late 19th century. Coal was discovered on the Hake family farm in 1894, and recollections of members of pioneer families in Superior, including the Hakes and Autreys, are preserved as part of the Maria Rogers Oral History Program at the Carnegie Library for Local History in Boulder, Colorado. The town was reportedly named after its superior quality of coal. Mining was the major force in Superior's history until the Industrial Mine closed in 1945. Subsequently, many people moved out of the area and the Town evolved into a quiet ranching and farming community. Superior's population hovered around 250 until the late 1990s, when subdivisions were built in the town and the population rose 3,433.7% to 9,011 by 2000.
Geography
Superior is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and it is water.
Recreation
As of 2013 there were of trails and of parks, green space, and open space, which is about 23.2% of the land area. In addition, the town operates two pools with tennis courts for its residents.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 12,483 people, 4,493 households, and 3,491 families living in the town. The population density was 3298.11 people per square mile. There were 4,698 housing units at an average density of 1,186.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 77.26% White, 1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 17.8% Asian, less than 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 3.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.6% of the population. Of all households, 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couplesliving together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 14.9% of households were individuals living alone and 1.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.81. The age distribution was 31.5% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 3.1% 65 or older. The median age was 32.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males. The median household income was $119,810 and the median family income was $133,011. The per capita income for the town was $44,318. About 1.4% of families and 4.57% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. Of residents 25 years and over, 96.45% were high school graduates and 76.24% held a bachelor's degree or higher, with 35.58% holding graduate or professional degrees.
Education
Superior has two public schools, run by the Boulder Valley School District: Superior Elementary, and Eldorado PK-8. The home public high school is in nearby Louisville, Colorado.
In popular culture
Sections of the 1985 movie American Flyers were filmed in Superior.
