Mar 17, 2026 - News
El Paso County's Irish roots
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About 10.3% of El Paso County residents claim they have a wee bit o' Irish in their blood, per 2022 census data analyzed by Axios.
Zoom out: That's a touch above the national average of 9.5% and on par with the rest of the state, where 10.7% of residents have Irish ancestry.
Zoom in: Head out west to strike the real pot of gold.
- Western Colorado counties boasting the highest percentage of Irish ancestry include Hinsdale (19.5%), Mineral (18.5%), Gilpin (16.1%) and La Plata (14.9%).
Yes, but: Kiowa County on the eastern plains stands among the top five with a hearty 16.5%.
The bottom line: You don't need an Irish surname to sip a stout and celebrate today.