The statutory city of Walsenburg is situated in the state of Colorado. It is the county seat of Huerfano County. The city has a population of 4,182 people as of the 2000 census. The city has a population of historic significance as it was home to outlaw Jesse James's assassin, Robert Ford. The Robert Ford home still stands at 320 West 7th Street.
Listed below are some of the main attractions of the city. There are two museums in the city, a municipal swimming pool, and a nine-hole golf course. Nearby is Lathrop State Park, which has lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing. The Walsenburg VA Nursing Home is located near the city. The Walsenburg Public Library and the Walsenburg Golf Course are also close by.
Coal mining in Walsenburg began in 1876. Before the company closed down, 500 million tons of coal were mined. The town was the site of several tragic incidents, including the Ludlow Massacre, which involved miners and armed guards at the Fuel & Iron Company. This tragedy became known as the "Ten Days War" and is remembered with a memorial in the city.
There are about 2,314 residents of voting age in Walsenburg, Colorado. Of those, 49.1% are male and 50.9% are female. The city's unemployment rate is 4.0%, based on the labor force of residents aged 16 and older. There are 27,9% of the population employed in government jobs, including local, state, and federal agencies. The median household income is $2951 per year.