El Cenizo, Texas
Encyclopedia
El Cenizo is a city in Webb County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 3,545 at the 2000 census. El Cenizo is the third largest city in Webb County.
In May, 2006, El Cenizo gained national attention when it was widely reported that the city had adopted Spanish as its official language. In an interview on a national cable news network held on May 23, 2006, its mayor defended the decision but said that official business was now conducted in both English and Spanish. He also said that while he supported English as the common and unifying language of the United States, he believed that any attempt to make English that "official" national language would have a discriminatory effect against bilingual programs.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²), of which, 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it is land and 1.89% is water.
of 2000, there were 3,545 people, 730 households, and 680 families residing in the city. The population density
was 6,919.6 people per square mile (2,683.8/km²). There were 811 housing units at an average density of 1,583.0/sq mi (614.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.73% White, 0.28% African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 14.67% from other races
, and 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 98.90% of the population.
There were 730 households out of which 72.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples
living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 6.8% were non-families. 6.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.86 and the average family size was 5.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 48.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 10.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 18 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $13,333, and the median income for a family was $13,438. Males had a median income of $14,200 versus $10,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $3,610. About 66.3% of families and 68.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 74.3% of those under age 18 and 60.0% of those age 65 or over.
.
El Cenizo is zoned to Kennedy-Zapata Elementary School (Unincorporated Webb County), Salvador Garcia Middle School (Rio Bravo), and Lyndon B. Johnson High School
(Laredo).
Webb County, Texas
Webb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The official 2010 population for the county is 250,304. In 2000, its population was 193,117, and in 2006 its population had been estimated to have reached to 231,470. Its county seat is Laredo...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,545 at the 2000 census. El Cenizo is the third largest city in Webb County.
In May, 2006, El Cenizo gained national attention when it was widely reported that the city had adopted Spanish as its official language. In an interview on a national cable news network held on May 23, 2006, its mayor defended the decision but said that official business was now conducted in both English and Spanish. He also said that while he supported English as the common and unifying language of the United States, he believed that any attempt to make English that "official" national language would have a discriminatory effect against bilingual programs.
Geography
El Cenizo is located at 27°19′42"N 99°29′48"W (27.328442, -99.496658).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 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²), of which, 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it is land and 1.89% is water.
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 3,545 people, 730 households, and 680 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 6,919.6 people per square mile (2,683.8/km²). There were 811 housing units at an average density of 1,583.0/sq mi (614.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.73% White, 0.28% African American, 1.07% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 14.67% 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 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 98.90% of the population.
There were 730 households out of which 72.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% 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, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 6.8% were non-families. 6.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.86 and the average family size was 5.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 48.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 10.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 18 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $13,333, and the median income for a family was $13,438. Males had a median income of $14,200 versus $10,625 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 $3,610. About 66.3% of families and 68.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 74.3% of those under age 18 and 60.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
El Cenizo is served by the United Independent School DistrictUnited Independent School District
United Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Laredo, Texas, United States.UISD serves portions of the city of Laredo, the cities of El Cenizo and Rio Bravo, and several unincorporated areas in Webb County...
.
El Cenizo is zoned to Kennedy-Zapata Elementary School (Unincorporated Webb County), Salvador Garcia Middle School (Rio Bravo), and Lyndon B. Johnson High School
Lyndon B. Johnson High School (Laredo, Texas)
Lyndon B. Johnson High School is a secondary school located in Laredo, Texas, United States. L.B.Johnson is a part of the United Independent School District, and it serves a portion of south Laredo and the neighboring cities of El Cenizo and Rio Bravo....
(Laredo).