Parker, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The Town of Parker is a Home Rule Municipality in Douglas County
, Colorado
, United States
. As a self-declared "Town" under the Home Rule Statutes, Parker is the 2nd most populous town in the county, behind Castle Rock
. In recent years, Parker has become a commuter town
at the southeasternmost corner of the Denver Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 45,297, over 145 times its population of 285 when Parker incorporated in 1981. Parker is now the 18th most populous municipality in the State of Colorado
.
The town's rapid growth in recent decades is often credited to Jim Nicholson
, whose fourteen years spent developing the area earned him the town's first "Cornerstone Award".
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²). 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 sq mi or 0.14%) of it is water. The Cherry Creek
flows through Parker on its way north toward Denver.
of 2000, there were 23,558 people, 7,929 households, and 6,525 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,615.2 people per square mile (623.4/km²). There were 8,352 housing units at an average density of 572.6 per square mile (221.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.60% White, 1.71% Asian, 1.01% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races
, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.
There were 7,929 households out of which 52.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the town the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 43.4% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $74,116, and the median income for a family was $77,384 (these figures had risen to $80,679 and $89,154 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $52,070 versus $35,700 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $27,479. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
. Parker also receives the county-wide channel, Douglas County 8, which broadcasts school sports events and assorted programs run by residents. The channel is sponsored by Comcast
.
. Douglas County School District has the among highest level of students in Colorado. Students have scored, on average, 12 to 19 percent above the state average. The district was rated 9th in the state in 2009. The Pine Lane Elementary School had the largest student enrollment in Parker until Mammoth Heights Elementary opened in January 2007 and took the overload.
The two principal high schools in the area, Ponderosa and Chaparral, have a cross-town rivalry and compete annually for The Pride of Parker trophy. Legend High School opened in 2008, as Douglas County's ninth High School.
Private schools in Parker include:
For other Parker and Douglas County school information:
Parker Secondary Schools
Parker also has two public charter schools:
College Classes
Douglas County, Colorado
Douglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado, in the United States. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As a self-declared "Town" under the Home Rule Statutes, Parker is the 2nd most populous town in the county, behind Castle Rock
Castle Rock, Colorado
The Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States and is named for the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of...
. In recent years, Parker has become a commuter town
Commuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
at the southeasternmost corner of the Denver Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 45,297, over 145 times its population of 285 when Parker incorporated in 1981. Parker is now the 18th most populous municipality in the 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...
.
The town's rapid growth in recent decades is often credited to Jim Nicholson
Jim Nicholson (U.S. politician)
Robert James "Jim" Nicholson is an attorney, real estate developer, and a former Republican Party chairman. He was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from January 26, 2005 until October 1, 2007.-Personal life:...
, whose fourteen years spent developing the area earned him the town's first "Cornerstone Award".
Geography
Parker is located at 39°31′10"N 104°45′57"W (39.519488, -104.765833). The town in roughly 19 miles southeast of Denver.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 town has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²). 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 sq mi or 0.14%) of it is water. The Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek (Colorado)
Cherry Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, long, in Colorado in the United States.-Location:Cherry Creek rises in the high plateau, east of the Front Range, in northwestern El Paso County...
flows through Parker on its way north toward Denver.
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 23,558 people, 7,929 households, and 6,525 families residing in the town. 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 1,615.2 people per square mile (623.4/km²). There were 8,352 housing units at an average density of 572.6 per square mile (221.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.60% White, 1.71% Asian, 1.01% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% 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 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.
There were 7,929 households out of which 52.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% 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, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the town the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 43.4% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 2.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $74,116, and the median income for a family was $77,384 (these figures had risen to $80,679 and $89,154 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $52,070 versus $35,700 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 town was $27,479. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local media
Parker currently has two local papers, The Parker Chronicle, The Douglas County News/Press, and also receives The Denver PostThe Denver Post
-Ownership:The Post is the flagship newspaper of MediaNews Group Inc., founded in 1983 by William Dean Singleton and Richard Scudder. MediaNews is today one of the nation's largest newspaper chains, publisher of 61 daily newspapers and more than 120 non-daily publications in 13 states. MediaNews...
. Parker also receives the county-wide channel, Douglas County 8, which broadcasts school sports events and assorted programs run by residents. The channel is sponsored by Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
.
Education
Parker is served by Douglas County School District RE-1Douglas County School District RE-1
The Douglas County School District Re. 1 is a school district that serves Douglas County, Colorado. It is the third-largest school district in Colorado, serving more than 61,000 students with 70+ schools....
. Douglas County School District has the among highest level of students in Colorado. Students have scored, on average, 12 to 19 percent above the state average. The district was rated 9th in the state in 2009. The Pine Lane Elementary School had the largest student enrollment in Parker until Mammoth Heights Elementary opened in January 2007 and took the overload.
The two principal high schools in the area, Ponderosa and Chaparral, have a cross-town rivalry and compete annually for The Pride of Parker trophy. Legend High School opened in 2008, as Douglas County's ninth High School.
Private schools in Parker include:
- Ave Maria Catholic School (PK-8)
- Southeast Christian School (PK-8)
- Lutheran High School Parker (9-12)
- Parker Montessori Educational Institute (PK-3)
For other Parker and Douglas County school information:
- Pine Lane Primary
- Frontier Valley Elementary School
- Pine Lane Intermediate
- Mammoth Heights Elementary School
- Cherokee Trail
- Iron Horse Elementary
- Prairie Crossing Elementary
- Legacy Point Elementary
- Gold Rush Elementary
- North Star Academy (K-8)
Parker Secondary Schools
- Sierra Middle School Sierra Middle School
- Sagewood Middle School Sagewood Middle School
- Cimarron Middle School Cimarron Middle School
- Legend High School
- Ponderosa High School
- Chaparral High School
Parker also has two public charter schools:
College Classes
- The University Center at Chaparral University Center at Chaparral
- Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additional resources
- A Folk History of Parker and Hilltop, by Sandy Whelchel, Parker Distributing\Paintbrush Press
- Parker, Colorado: An historical narrative, by Ruth Miller, Parker Area Historical Society
- "The Cherokee Trail" by Lee Whitele
- "A Guide Book to Historic Sites in the Parker Area" by F.B.Mclaughlin
See also
- 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:...
- Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaDenver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Areathumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
- Douglas County, ColoradoDouglas County, ColoradoDouglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado, in the United States. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs...
- 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...
- State of Colorado
External links
- Town of Parker website Official Town of Parker.
- Parker Economic Development Council Parker Economic Development Council
- Metro Fire District Parker and South Metro have merged.
- Parker Historical Society Website Parker History
- Parker Chamber of Commerce Parker Chamber of Commerce
- Parker Arts Council Parker Arts Council
- Parker Community Calendar Parker Community Calendar