Arvada, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The City of Arvada is a Home Rule Municipality located in Jefferson
and Adams
counties in the Denver metropolitan area of the U.S. State of Colorado
. Olde Town Arvada is located 7 miles (11 km) northwest
of the Colorado State Capitol
in Denver
. The 2010 United States Census recorded 106,433 residents, making Arvada the eighth most populous city in Colorado.
in the Rocky Mountain region
occurred on June 22, 1850, when Lewis Ralston, a Georgia
prospector headed for the California
gold fields, dipped his sluice pan into a small stream near its mouth at Clear Creek
. Ralston found about 1/4 ounce (6 g) of gold then worth about five dollars. Ralston's companions named the stream Ralston's Creek
in his honor, but they all left the next morning, drawn by the lure of the California gold fields.
During the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858, Ralston brought another group of prospectors back to the site of his first discovery. The placer gold in the area soon played out, but hard rock deposits of gold were found in the mountains to the west. Some of the miners abandoned their search for gold and returned to farm the rich bottom land along Ralston Creek and Clear Creek. They found an eager market for their crops among other gold seekers. The Territory of Colorado was formed on February 28, 1861, and the farms in the valley expanded to feed the growing population of the region.
In 1870, the Colorado Central Railroad
laid tracks through the area on its route from Golden
to link up with the Kansas Pacific Railroad and the Denver Pacific Railroad at Jersey Junction, 3 miles (5 km) north of Denver
. On December 1, 1870, Benjamin F. Wadsworth and Louis A. Reno platted the Ralston Point townsite along the railroad. To avoid confusion with other communities along Ralston Creek
, Ralston Point was soon renamed Arvada in honor of Hiram Arvada Haskin, brother-in-law of settler Mary Wadsworth. Benjamin Wadsworth became the first postmaster of Arvada. Colorado was granted statehood
on August 1, 1876, and the Town of Arvada was formally incorporated
on August 14, 1904. A vibrant agricultural community, Arvada claimed the title "Celery Capital of the World."
Arvada grew rapidly during the latter half of the 20th century as a suburb
of nearby Denver, the state capital. Arvada became a Statutory City
on October 31, 1951, and a Home Rule Municipality
on July 23, 1963. By the end of the millennium, the population of Arvada exceeded 100,000.
The City Council selects the city manager. The Arvada City Manager is Mark Deven.
Officer Charles Humphrey, 31, was accused of punching Kelly Etheridge, 27, during an arrest in January, after Etheridge allegedly spit on him. Other officers were accused of helping to cover it up.
Humphrey was charged with third-degree assault, failure in duty to report use of force by a peace officer, first-degree official misconduct and false reporting, all misdemeanors.
Whitney Bauma, 29, and Noah Rolfing, 28, were each charged with failure in duty to report use of force by a peace officer, official misconduct and false reporting. Charles Whitney, 31, was charged with misdemeanor assault. All three officers resigned.
Facing accusations of excessive force, four officers resigned and two were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Arvada Police Chief Don Wick asked the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department to conduct its own investigation of the officers accused, so there would be no conflict of interest. The investigation began Aug. 26. Its findings were then turned over to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.
Arvada City Councilmembers said they were not informed that the ACSO was investigating the case. Councilman Bob Dyer said they were concerned "over the communication aspect, not the quality of the investigation."
In 2008, the city of Arvada settled an out-of-court lawsuit for $100,000 after officers were accused of illegal entry and excessive force.
In 2009, the city paid out $330,000 to settle another lawsuit, after officers allegedly entered an apartment looking for a suspect, but then forced another man staying there into a hospital after he provided nonsensical, uncooperative answers to their questions.
In June 2011, Humphrey went on trial in Jefferson County Court, charged with misdemeanor assault and failing to report the use of force. A jury found him not guilty.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 32.8 square miles (85 km²).84.6 km²; (32.7 sq mi) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.
metropolitan area has resulted from decades of radioactive isotope releases, largely plutonium
(Pu-239), into the environment from the Rocky Flats Plant
, a former nuclear weapon
s production facility located about 15 miles upwind of Denver that has since been shut down and disassembled.
In terms of major related events, on September 11, 1957, portions of the Denver metropolitan area--substantially including Arvada--became contaminated with radioactive Pu-239 from a then highly classified plutonium fire. Another major plutonium fire in 1969 produced similar effects but was monitored and reported by civilian agencies, which led to the U.S. government's divulgence of the 1957 fire.
In 1989, a combined Federal Bureau of Investigation
and United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) raid of the plant for investigation of environmental crimes effectively ended production and further potential for plutonium fires. Superfund
decontamination results have been withheld by the U.S. Government, but significant Pu-239 contamination has been found outside Rocky Flats as recently as August 2010.
, U.S. Highway 36 and U.S. Highway 287.
The Amtrak
California Zephyr
passes through the City of Arvada westbound each morning and eastbound each evening. This route through the scenic heart of the Rocky Mountains
is one of the most popular rail routes in the United States
. Full Amtrak passenger and parcel service is available at the nearby Denver Union Station.
The Denver Regional Transportation District
(RTD) currently serves Arvada with seven local bus routes (31, 51, 52, 72, 76, 80, and 100), four express bus routes (55X, 58X, 72X, and 80X), and one regional bus route (GS). RTD plans to provide Arvada with a commuter rail Gold Line along the old Colorado Central Railroad
route (now operated by the BNSF Railway
) by 2015.
Arvada is served by Denver International Airport
and nearby Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.
In 2008 the League of American Bicyclists designated Arvada as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community.
of 2000, there were 102,153 people, 39,019 households, and 27,742 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,128.1 people per square mile (1,207.6/km²). There were 39,733 housing units at an average density of 1,216.7 per square mile (469.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.04% White, 0.66% African American, 0.65% Native American, 2.17% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races
, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.82% of the population.
There were 39,019 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $55,541, and the median income for a family was $63,273. Males had a median income of $42,126 versus $30,802 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,679. About 3.5% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or older.
. The primary retail corridors are along Wadsworth Boulevard, 52nd Avenue, Ralston Road and Kipling Street.
A memorial was held the following Wednesday, December 12, in which Youth With a Mission leaders forgave Murray's family for what happened.
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Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
and Adams
Adams County, Colorado
Adams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the...
counties in the Denver metropolitan area of the U.S. State of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Olde Town Arvada is located 7 miles (11 km) northwest
Cardinal direction
The four cardinal directions or cardinal points are the directions of north, east, south, and west, commonly denoted by their initials: N, E, S, W. East and west are at right angles to north and south, with east being in the direction of rotation and west being directly opposite. Intermediate...
of the Colorado State Capitol
Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol Building, located at 200 East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, is the home of the Colorado General Assembly and the offices of the Governor of Colorado and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado. The building is intentionally reminiscent of the United States Capitol. Designed...
in Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. The 2010 United States Census recorded 106,433 residents, making Arvada the eighth most populous city in Colorado.
History
The first documented discovery of goldGold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in the Rocky Mountain region
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
occurred on June 22, 1850, when Lewis Ralston, a Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
prospector headed for the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
gold fields, dipped his sluice pan into a small stream near its mouth at Clear Creek
Clear Creek (Colorado)
Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately long, in north central Colorado in the United States. The creek flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, descending through a long gorge to emerge on the Colorado Eastern Plains where it...
. Ralston found about 1/4 ounce (6 g) of gold then worth about five dollars. Ralston's companions named the stream Ralston's Creek
Ralston Creek (Colorado)
Ralston Creek is a tributary of Clear Creek, approximately long, in central Colorado in the United States. It drains a suburban and urban area of the northwestern Denver Metropolitan Area. It rises in the foothills in northeastern Gilpin County, in southern Golden Gate Canyon State Park...
in his honor, but they all left the next morning, drawn by the lure of the California gold fields.
During the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858, Ralston brought another group of prospectors back to the site of his first discovery. The placer gold in the area soon played out, but hard rock deposits of gold were found in the mountains to the west. Some of the miners abandoned their search for gold and returned to farm the rich bottom land along Ralston Creek and Clear Creek. They found an eager market for their crops among other gold seekers. The Territory of Colorado was formed on February 28, 1861, and the farms in the valley expanded to feed the growing population of the region.
In 1870, the Colorado Central Railroad
Colorado Central Railroad
The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial...
laid tracks through the area on its route from Golden
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
to link up with the Kansas Pacific Railroad and the Denver Pacific Railroad at Jersey Junction, 3 miles (5 km) north of Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. On December 1, 1870, Benjamin F. Wadsworth and Louis A. Reno platted the Ralston Point townsite along the railroad. To avoid confusion with other communities along Ralston Creek
Ralston Creek (Colorado)
Ralston Creek is a tributary of Clear Creek, approximately long, in central Colorado in the United States. It drains a suburban and urban area of the northwestern Denver Metropolitan Area. It rises in the foothills in northeastern Gilpin County, in southern Golden Gate Canyon State Park...
, Ralston Point was soon renamed Arvada in honor of Hiram Arvada Haskin, brother-in-law of settler Mary Wadsworth. Benjamin Wadsworth became the first postmaster of Arvada. Colorado was granted statehood
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
on August 1, 1876, and the Town of Arvada was formally incorporated
Colorado municipalities
The U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
on August 14, 1904. A vibrant agricultural community, Arvada claimed the title "Celery Capital of the World."
Arvada grew rapidly during the latter half of the 20th century as a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of nearby Denver, the state capital. Arvada became a Statutory City
Colorado municipalities
The U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
on October 31, 1951, and a Home Rule Municipality
Colorado municipalities
The U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
on July 23, 1963. By the end of the millennium, the population of Arvada exceeded 100,000.
Government
The city of Arvada is a Home Rule Municipality with a council-manager form of government. The Arvada City Council has seven members: a mayor and two councilmembers elected at large, and four councilmembers elected from council districts.| Office | Incumbent | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Marc Williams | 2011- |
| Councilmember At-large | Don Allard | 1993- |
| Councilmember At-large | Bob Fifer | 2011- |
| Councilmember, District One and Mayor Pro Tem | Rachel Zenzinger | 2011- |
| Councilmember, District Two | Mark McGoff | 2007- |
| Councilmember, District Three | Shelley Cook | 2009- |
| Councilmember, District Four | Bob Dyer | 2007- |
The City Council selects the city manager. The Arvada City Manager is Mark Deven.
Police scandal
In 2010, a police scandal rocked Arvada. Police Chief Don Wick reported that in January, an officer punched a suspect, and that other officers witnessed the incident but did not come forward or report it.Officer Charles Humphrey, 31, was accused of punching Kelly Etheridge, 27, during an arrest in January, after Etheridge allegedly spit on him. Other officers were accused of helping to cover it up.
Humphrey was charged with third-degree assault, failure in duty to report use of force by a peace officer, first-degree official misconduct and false reporting, all misdemeanors.
Whitney Bauma, 29, and Noah Rolfing, 28, were each charged with failure in duty to report use of force by a peace officer, official misconduct and false reporting. Charles Whitney, 31, was charged with misdemeanor assault. All three officers resigned.
Facing accusations of excessive force, four officers resigned and two were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Arvada Police Chief Don Wick asked the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department to conduct its own investigation of the officers accused, so there would be no conflict of interest. The investigation began Aug. 26. Its findings were then turned over to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.
Arvada City Councilmembers said they were not informed that the ACSO was investigating the case. Councilman Bob Dyer said they were concerned "over the communication aspect, not the quality of the investigation."
In 2008, the city of Arvada settled an out-of-court lawsuit for $100,000 after officers were accused of illegal entry and excessive force.
In 2009, the city paid out $330,000 to settle another lawsuit, after officers allegedly entered an apartment looking for a suspect, but then forced another man staying there into a hospital after he provided nonsensical, uncooperative answers to their questions.
In June 2011, Humphrey went on trial in Jefferson County Court, charged with misdemeanor assault and failing to report the use of force. A jury found him not guilty.
Geography
Arvada is located at 39°49′12"N 105°6′40"W (39.819962, -105.110975).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 32.8 square miles (85 km²).84.6 km²; (32.7 sq mi) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.
Plutonium contamination
Radioactive contamination of both the immediate, surrounding area and the entire greater DenverDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
metropolitan area has resulted from decades of radioactive isotope releases, largely plutonium
Plutonium
Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with the chemical symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-gray appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, forming a dull coating when oxidized. The element normally exhibits six allotropes and four oxidation...
(Pu-239), into the environment from the Rocky Flats Plant
Rocky Flats Plant
The Rocky Flats Plant was a United States nuclear weapons production facility near Denver, Colorado that operated from 1952 to 1992. It was under the control of the United States Atomic Energy Commission until 1977, when it was replaced by the Department of Energy .-1950s:Following World War II,...
, a former nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s production facility located about 15 miles upwind of Denver that has since been shut down and disassembled.
In terms of major related events, on September 11, 1957, portions of the Denver metropolitan area--substantially including Arvada--became contaminated with radioactive Pu-239 from a then highly classified plutonium fire. Another major plutonium fire in 1969 produced similar effects but was monitored and reported by civilian agencies, which led to the U.S. government's divulgence of the 1957 fire.
In 1989, a combined Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
and United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA) raid of the plant for investigation of environmental crimes effectively ended production and further potential for plutonium fires. Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
decontamination results have been withheld by the U.S. Government, but significant Pu-239 contamination has been found outside Rocky Flats as recently as August 2010.
Transportation
Arvada is the western terminus of Interstate 76, which begins at the intersection of Interstate 70 and State Highway 121. Other state highways in Arvada include , and . Major highways near Arvada include Interstate 25, Interstate 270Interstate 270 (Colorado)
Interstate 270 is a long highway in the northeastern part of the Denver–Aurora Metropolitan Area in the U.S. state of Colorado. It overlaps U.S. Highway 36 for its entire length. The western terminus of I-270 is at the interchange with I-25 and US 36...
, U.S. Highway 36 and U.S. Highway 287.
The Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
California Zephyr
California Zephyr
The California Zephyr is a long passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the midwestern and western United States.It runs from Chicago, Illinois, in the east to Emeryville, California, in the west, passing through the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California...
passes through the City of Arvada westbound each morning and eastbound each evening. This route through the scenic heart of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
is one of the most popular rail routes in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Full Amtrak passenger and parcel service is available at the nearby Denver Union Station.
The Denver Regional Transportation District
Regional Transportation District
The Regional Transportation District, or RTD, was organized in 1969 and is the regional authority operating public transit services in eight of the twelve counties in the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area in Colorado. RTD is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected Board of...
(RTD) currently serves Arvada with seven local bus routes (31, 51, 52, 72, 76, 80, and 100), four express bus routes (55X, 58X, 72X, and 80X), and one regional bus route (GS). RTD plans to provide Arvada with a commuter rail Gold Line along the old Colorado Central Railroad
Colorado Central Railroad
The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial...
route (now operated by the BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
) by 2015.
Arvada is served by Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport , often referred to as DIA, is an airport in Denver, Colorado. By land size, at , it is the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel...
and nearby Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.
In 2008 the League of American Bicyclists designated Arvada as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 102,153 people, 39,019 households, and 27,742 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,128.1 people per square mile (1,207.6/km²). There were 39,733 housing units at an average density of 1,216.7 per square mile (469.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.04% White, 0.66% African American, 0.65% Native American, 2.17% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.82% of the population.
There were 39,019 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $55,541, and the median income for a family was $63,273. Males had a median income of $42,126 versus $30,802 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,679. About 3.5% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or older.
Economy
Arvada is largely a commuter town to Denver and BoulderBoulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. The primary retail corridors are along Wadsworth Boulevard, 52nd Avenue, Ralston Road and Kipling Street.
Missionary shooting
On December 9, 2007, Matthew J. Murray walked into the Youth With a Mission Center in Arvada and, after he was refused his request to stay overnight, opened fire and killed two people, injuring two more.A memorial was held the following Wednesday, December 12, in which Youth With a Mission leaders forgave Murray's family for what happened.
Sister cities
MechelenMechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
Jinzhou
Jinzhou
Jinzhou , is a prefecture-level city of Liaoning province, China. It is a geographically strategic city located in the "Liaoxi Corridor" , which connects land transportation between North China and Northeast China. Jinzhou is China's northernmost seaport and the coastal economic center of West...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg is a major city in the central part of Russia, the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast. Situated on the eastern side of the Ural mountain range, it is the main industrial and cultural center of the Urals Federal District with a population of 1,350,136 , making it Russia's...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Arts
- Clive CusslerClive CusslerClive Eric Cussler is an American adventure novelist and marine archaeologist. His thriller novels, many featuring the character Dirk Pitt, have reached The New York Times fiction best-seller list more than seventeen times...
(1931– ), popular authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and automobile collector - Chris DaringChris DaringChris Daring is an American musician primarily known for her work as a performer and teacher of the Texas style of fiddling, a predominant style of fiddling in the United States. She is the first woman to win the National Adult Old-Time Fiddle Championship, in 1996...
(19??– ), fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
r - Joe KingJoe King (guitarist)Joe King is the guitarist, backing vocalist, songwriter and co-founder of Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Joe King was born on May 25, 1980 in Colorado, and is of Spanish descent...
(1980– ), composer, guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of The FrayThe Fray-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind... - Marty Lindsey (née Marty Mariani) (1970– ), actor - imdb
- Aaron Rothe (198?– ), former keyboardist for Drop Dead, GorgeousDrop Dead, GorgeousDrop Dead, Gorgeous is a band from Denver, Colorado. They are currently signed to Suretone Records. The band consists of frontman Danny Stillman , Kyle Browning , Jake Hansen and Danny Cooper...
and Sonny MooreSonny MooreSonny John Moore is an American electronic dance music producer who is widely known by his professional name Skrillex. Moore is also a former frontman for the American band From First to Last. In late Autumn of 2007 he embarked on his first tour as a solo artist, the Team Sleep Tour with Team... - Isaac SladeIsaac SladeIsaac Edward Slade is the lead vocalist, main songwriter, pianist, and co-founder of Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early years:...
(1981– ), composer, pianist, lead singer, and co-founder of The FrayThe Fray-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind... - Nick StabileNick StabileNick Stabile is an American television actor. He played Gabe Capshaw on the show, Saints and Sinners. He is well known for playing the role of Jesse in the slasher film Bride of Chucky...
(1971– ), actor - Dave WelshDave WelshDavid "Dave" Welsh is the lead guitarist for the Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Welsh was born in Tucson, Arizona and attended D'Evelyn High School in Denver, Colorado but later transferred to Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado...
(1984– ), lead guitarist for The FrayThe Fray-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind... - Matt WeatherfordThe Filthy CriticThe Filthy Critic is an online persona of Matt Weatherford, a film critic. Starting in 1998, Filthy's reviews have appeared on his web site on a regular basis. His writing style is notable in that it makes allusions to Filthy's fictional personal life, uses vulgar language, and often makes...
(1967– ), writer - Ben WysockiBen WysockiBenjamin Wysocki is the drummer for Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Wysocki was born in Denver, Colorado, in a conservative household. After struggling with piano lessons , he began to learn how to play drums in the sixth grade...
(1984– ), percussionist for The FrayThe Fray-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
Business
- Bob EnyartBob EnyartBob Enyart is an American talk radio host, author, and pastor of Denver Bible Church. He is best known for buying nearly $16,000 worth of O.J. Simpson memorabilia at an auction benefiting the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman and then leading a group which set fire to the items on...
(1959– ), radio host - Brian IbbottBrian IbbottBrian Ibbott is a podcaster who lives in Arvada, Colorado. He is most notably known for his podcast Coverville, which began in September 2004. Coverville is one of the longest running podcasts in the iTunes store and also is in the top rankings for overall episode numbers...
(19??– ), podcastPodcastA podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
er - Lloyd J. King (1906–1998), founder of King Soopers grocery chain
- Joel KlattJoel KlattJoel Klatt is no longer a talk radio personality on 102.3FM "The Ticket" in Denver, Colorado, partnered with fellow former University of Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Charles "C.J." Johnson. Klatt played college football for the University of Colorado Buffaloes before turning professional...
(1982– ), radio host
Politics
- Robert Louis "Bob" BeauprezBob BeauprezRobert L. "Bob" Beauprez is an American politician who was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 7th Congressional District of Colorado....
(1948– ), former U.S. Congressman - Joanne ConteJoanne ConteJoanne Conte served as a councilwoman in Arvada, Colorado from 1991 to 1995. She earned her master's degree in political science from the University of Colorado. Conte was born male and underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1973. She is noteworthy for being part of a small group of transsexual...
(1933– ), politician, political commentator, and transsexual activist - Sara GagliardiSara GagliardiSara Elizabeth Gagliardi is a legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. A career nurse, Gagliardi was first elected as a Democrat in 2006 to the Colorado House of Representatives. She represented House District 27, which encompasses most of Arvada, Colorado, until her defeat in the 2010 election...
(1958– ), nurse and former state legislator - Evie HudakEvie HudakEvie Hudak is a state legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. Elected to the Colorado State Senate as a Democrat in 2008, Hudak represents Senate District 19, which encompasses Arvada and Westminster, Colorado.-Biography:...
(1951– ), state senator - Karl RoveKarl RoveKarl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
(1950– ), political strategist and White House Deputy Chief of Staff (2005–2007) - Libby Szabo (1963– ), state representative
- John Charles VivianJohn Charles VivianJohn Charles Vivian was a United States attorney, journalist, and Republican politician who served as the 30th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1943 to 1947. He was the first Lt. Governor of Colorado to be elected Governor.John Charles Vivian was born in Golden, Colorado, on June 30, 1889...
(1889–1964), 30th Governor of the State of ColoradoGovernor of ColoradoThe Governor of Colorado is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the...
Sports
- Rick CarelliRick CarelliRick Carelli is an American race car driver from Arvada, Colorado. He was nicknamed the "High Plains Drifter". He won multiple times in the #6 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series truck.-Racing career:...
(1955– ), NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
truck racer - Mark CooneyMark CooneyMark Cooney was a linebacker in the National Football League. Cooney was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixteenth round of the 1974 NFL Draft and played that season with the team....
(1951–2011), NFL linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Joe DeCamillisJoe DeCamillisJoe DeCamillis is currently the Special Teams coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He is known throughout the National Football League as among the top coaches at his position. He has also coached for the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars.On May 2, 2009, the Dallas...
(1965– ), Special Teams coach for the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Nick FazekasNick FazekasNick Fazekas is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.-Early career:...
(1985– ), professional basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player - Roy HalladayRoy HalladayHarry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
(1977– ), Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
recipient - Phil Heath (1979– ), IFBBIFBBIFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
professional bodybuilder and the 13th Mr. OlympiaMr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
IFBBIFBBIFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
professional bodybuilder - Erika SuttonErika SuttonErika Christine Sutton is an American soccer defender currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer.-Club career:...
(1987– ), professional football defenderDefender (association football)Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... - Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson ZahariasBabe ZahariasMildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias was an American athlete who achieved outstanding success in golf, basketball, and track and field...
(1911–1956), Olympic gold medalist and professional golfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er - Casey MaloneCasey MaloneCasey Malone is an American discus thrower. His personal best is 68.49 metres, achieved in June 2009 in Fort Collins, Colorado.-Achievements:-External links:...
Olympic Discus thrower 2004 and 2008
See also
- Arvada DowntownArvada DowntownArvada Downtown, also known as Olde Town Arvada , is a historic district in Arvada, Colorado bounded by Ralston Road, Teller Road, Grandview Avenue and Yukon Street. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.-See also:...
historic district - Colorado cities and towns
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Arvada Center for the Arts and HumanitiesArvada Center for the Arts and HumanitiesThe Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is a multi-use cultural facility operated by the City of Arvada, Colorado, United States, which opened in 1976. The Arvada Center is located 7.8 miles northwest of Denver. The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is the eighth largest cultural...
- Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
- Colorado municipalities
- Colorado countiesColorado countiesThe U.S state of Colorado is divided into 64 counties. Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions, such as townships...
- Colorado history
- Pike's Peak Gold Rush
- Colorado metropolitan areasColorado metropolitan areasThe metropolitan areas of the State of Colorado include the urban statistical areas defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and regions of urban population defined by other organizations.-Census statistical areas:...
- Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area
- North Central Colorado Urban AreaNorth Central Colorado Urban Areathumb|240px|An enlargeable map of the 13-county North Central Colorado Urban AreaThe North Central Colorado Urban Area comprises the four contiguous metropolitan statistical areas in the north central region of the State of Colorado: the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Boulder...
- Front Range Urban CorridorFront Range Urban CorridorThe Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- Colorado school districts
- Jefferson County R-1 School District
- Adams County School District 50Adams County School District 50Adams County School District 50 is a public school district located in extreme southwestern Adams County, Colorado, United States. The district serves the southeastern portion of the City of Westminster and adjacent areas.-Board of education:...
- Apex Park and Recreation DistrictApex Park and Recreation DistrictThe Apex Park and Recreation District is a park and recreation district located in the northeastern portion of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Apex encompasses the portion of City of Arvada and adjacent areas that are located within Jefferson County. The district serves a population of...
- United States Fish & Wildlife Service
- Rocky Flats National Wildlife RefugeRocky Flats National Wildlife RefugeThe Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 16 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. The site was previously occupied by the Rocky Flats Plant, a nuclear weapons production facility...
- Two Ponds National Wildlife RefugeTwo Ponds National Wildlife RefugeTwo Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is one of the smallest units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge is located in the City of Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The refuge consists of of land, including of uplands, of wetlands, and 3 small ponds...
- Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge