Meeker, Colorado
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Meeker is a town located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,242. It is the county seat of Rio Blanco CountyTemplate:GR. The town is a largely an agricultural community, located in the wide fertile valley of the White River in northwestern Colorado. Relatively isolated from other communities, it sits near the intersection of Colorado State Highway 13 and Colorado State Highway 64, on the north side of the White River and at the base of a long ridge, known locally as China Ridge. The Bureau of Land Management has a regional office in the town.
The town is named for Nathan Meeker, the United States Native American agent who was killed along with 11 other U.S. citizens by Ute Indians in the 1879 Meeker Massacre. The site of the massacre is located along State Highway 64 in the White River valley east of town and is marked by a prominent sign. Following the massacre, the Ute population was forced to relocate to reservations in Utah and the United States Army established a garrisson on the current site of the town. The town was founded in 1883 following the removing of troops. The White River Museum in town, located just north of the Rio Blanco County Courthouse and housed in several original wooden structures of the Army garrison.
The town emerged as a regional center for hunting by the turn of the 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt once visited the town on a mountain lion hunting trip and stayed in the historic Hotel Meeker opposite the courthouse.
Geography
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Location of Meeker, Colorado
Meeker is located at 40°2'22" North, 107°54'39" West (40.039539, -107.910709)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.5 km² (2.9 mi²). 7.5 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 2,242 people, 919 households, and 605 families residing in the town. The population density is 297.5/km² (769.8/mi²). There are 1,054 housing units at an average density of 139.8/km² (361.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.39% White, 0.00% African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 4.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 919 households out of which 33.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% are non-families. 29.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $34,479, and the median income for a family is $43,529. Males have a median income of $36,026 versus $18,242 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,647. 11.4% of the population and 9.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.9% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.