Rocky Ford, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The City of Rocky Ford is a Statutory City located in Otero County, Colorado
, United States. The population was 4,286 at the United States Census 2000.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.58% is water.
, and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57.14% of the population.
There were 1,655 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,359, and the median income for a family was $29,470. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $17,485 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,742. About 14.6% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
s and watermelon
s. Most of the Rocky Mountain region and the United States receives melon seeds from here. Rocky Ford recently gained international attention with U.S. President Barack Obama
's public endorsement of their melons.
Otero County, Colorado
Otero County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family. The county population was 20,311 at U.S. Census 2000...
, United States. The population was 4,286 at the United States Census 2000.
Geography
Rocky Ford is located at 38°3′4"N 103°43′17"W (38.051000, -103.721387).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 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) of it is land and 0.58% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,286 people, 1,655 households, and 1,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,521.8 people per square mile (973.4/km²). There were 1,852 housing units at an average density of 1,089.7 per square mile (420.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.42% White, 0.40% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 21.86% from other racesRace (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 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57.14% of the population.
There were 1,655 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,359, and the median income for a family was $29,470. Males had a median income of $26,271 versus $17,485 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 $12,742. About 14.6% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Agriculture
Rocky Ford is noted for its cantaloupeCantaloupe
"Rockmelon" redirects here, for the band see Rockmelons. See also Cantaloupe .Cantaloupe refers to a variety of Cucumis melo, a species in the family Cucurbitaceae which includes nearly all melons and squashes. Cantaloupes range in size from...
s and watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
s. Most of the Rocky Mountain region and the United States receives melon seeds from here. Rocky Ford recently gained international attention with U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's public endorsement of their melons.
See also
- Rocky Ford High SchoolRocky Ford High SchoolRocky Ford Junior Senior High School is the high school serving Rocky Ford, Colorado.Fall sports include Cross Country, Softball, Volleyball, Football and Golf. Winter sports include Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball and Wrestling. Spring sports include Track and Baseball.- External links :*...
- 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:...
- Otero County, ColoradoOtero County, ColoradoOtero County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family. The county population was 20,311 at U.S. Census 2000...
- State of Colorado
- George W. SwinkGeorge W. SwinkGeorge Washington Swink, or G.W. Swink, was a landowner and politician in Colorado and is said to have been the holder of the first timber claim certificate in the United States, issued by President Grover Cleveland on November 3, 1887....
, town pioneer - Rocky Ford StationRocky Ford StationRocky Ford Station was a Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway station in Rocky Ford, Colorado. The station is located two blocks south of U.S. Route 50 and Colorado State Highway 71. The station has been restored and is now used by the Rocky Ford Chamber of Commerce. It was on the Denver Branch,...