Eldorado, Texas
Encyclopedia
Eldorado is a city in and the county seat
of Schleicher County, Texas
, United States
. The population was 1,951 at the 2000 census, but dropped to 1,800 according to a July 2009 estimate.Eldorado is located on U.S. Highway 277 some twenty-one miles north of Sonora
and forty-three miles south of San Angelo
, Texas.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,951 people, 712 households, and 513 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,407.5 people per square mile (541.9/km²). There were 838 housing units at an average density of 604.6 per square mile (232.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.63% White, 2.15% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 24.24% from other races
, and 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 53.92% of the population.
There were 712 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,682, and the median income for a family was $30,781. Males had a median income of $26,172 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,994. About 20.8% of families and 26.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 26.2% of those age 65 or over.
.
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, the state of Texas ruled that Eldorado High School
was "Academically Unacceptable." In 2010, the school has been determined to be "Academically Acceptable".
, the reported new headquarters of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
headed by convicted sex offender felon Warren Jeffs
who refers to defrauding the welfare system as "bleeding the beast". Over 400 children were removed from the compound in April 2008, by Texas Child Protective Services. Hundreds of children were taken into custody and temporarily placed into foster homes . The children were returned to their mothers shortly thereafter. A woman in Colorado City, AZ, associated with the FLDS is suspected of reporting in this and other similar cases in Colorado City
, Arizona
.
and Robert Mitchum
, takes place in this city during the late 1800s. However, El Dorado did not exist until 1895, well after the date John Wayne's El Dorado was supposedly set in a fictional Texas town.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Schleicher County, 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 1,951 at the 2000 census, but dropped to 1,800 according to a July 2009 estimate.Eldorado is located on U.S. Highway 277 some twenty-one miles north of Sonora
Sonora, Texas
Sonora is the county seat of Sutton County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,924 at the 2000 census.Former State Senator and Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant was reared in Sonora and graduated from high school there.-Geography and climate:Sonora is located at ...
and forty-three miles south of San Angelo
San Angelo, Texas
San Angelo is a city in the state of Texas. Located in West Central Texas it is the county seat of Tom Green County. As of 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 93,200...
, Texas.
Geography
Eldorado is located at 30°51′39"N 100°35′54"W (30.860746, -100.598329).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 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all of it land.
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 1,951 people, 712 households, and 513 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 1,407.5 people per square mile (541.9/km²). There were 838 housing units at an average density of 604.6 per square mile (232.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.63% White, 2.15% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 24.24% 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 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 53.92% of the population.
There were 712 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% 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, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,682, and the median income for a family was $30,781. Males had a median income of $26,172 versus $18,750 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 $12,994. About 20.8% of families and 26.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.6% of those under age 18 and 26.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Eldorado is served by the Schleicher County Independent School DistrictSchleicher County Independent School District
Schleicher County Independent School District is a public school district based in Eldorado, Texas . The district's boundaries parallel that of Schleicher County...
.
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, the state of Texas ruled that Eldorado High School
Eldorado High School (Texas)
Eldorado High School is a 1A high school located in Eldorado, Texas . It is part of the Schleicher County Independent School District located in central Schleicher County. The district covers the entire county...
was "Academically Unacceptable." In 2010, the school has been determined to be "Academically Acceptable".
Yearning for Zion Ranch
Eldorado is the nearest city to the Yearning for Zion RanchYFZ Ranch
The YFZ Ranch, also known as the Yearning for Zion Ranch, is a community which housed as many as 700 people just outside of Eldorado in Schleicher County, Texas, United States. It is owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . It is about southwest of San Angelo and ...
, the reported new headquarters of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of the largest Mormon fundamentalist denominations and one of the largest organizations in the United States whose members practice polygamy. The FLDS Church emerged in the early twentieth century when its founding members left...
headed by convicted sex offender felon Warren Jeffs
Warren Jeffs
Warren Steed Jeffs was the president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . In 2011, Jeffs was convicted of two felony counts of child sexual assault....
who refers to defrauding the welfare system as "bleeding the beast". Over 400 children were removed from the compound in April 2008, by Texas Child Protective Services. Hundreds of children were taken into custody and temporarily placed into foster homes . The children were returned to their mothers shortly thereafter. A woman in Colorado City, AZ, associated with the FLDS is suspected of reporting in this and other similar cases in Colorado City
Colorado City, Arizona
Colorado City is a town in Mohave County, Arizona, United States, and is located in a region known as the Arizona Strip. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 4,607...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Media portrayals
The movie El Dorado, starring John WayneJohn Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum
Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time...
, takes place in this city during the late 1800s. However, El Dorado did not exist until 1895, well after the date John Wayne's El Dorado was supposedly set in a fictional Texas town.
Gallery
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External links
- The Eldorado Success Newspaper – Official website