Pierce, Colorado
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Pierce is a town located in Weld County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 884. The town is a rural agricultural community located on the Colorado Eastern Plains along U.S. Highway 85 north of Greeley. It was founded in 1869 and incorporated in 1918. It was named in honor of John Pierce, then president of the Union Pacific Railroad, in anticipation of the construction of an extension of the Union Pacific line southward into Colorado. The following year in 1870 it became a watering stop for steam locomotives on the newly built Denver Pacific Railroad . A box car was used as the first town post office, depot, and telegraph office. A depot was constructed in 1905 and demolished in 1963. As a railroad stop, it became a local shipping point for cattle, sheep, potatoes, beans, and sugar beets. The town underwent a decline in population (from 1,000 in 1976) and its economic base during the latter 20th century with the construction of highways that allowed more direct shipping of agricultural products. The town today consists of a small grid of gravel streets, with one paved thoroughfare (Main Street) west of U.S. Highway 85. The principal businesses in town include a grain elevator, as well as a grocery store, tavern, and other businesses along Main Street. The town also has a school, a volunteer fire station, a church, and a town park.
Geography
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Location of Pierce, Colorado
Pierce is located at 40°38'6" North, 104°45'16" West (40.635134, -104.754574)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²). 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 884 people, 312 households, and 249 families residing in the town. The population density is 461.2/km² (1,198.7/mi²). There are 318 housing units at an average density of 165.9/km² (431.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 86.99% White, 0.00% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 9.73% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. 20.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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There are 312 households out of which 39.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% are non-families. 17.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.83 and the average family size is 3.15.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $36,944, and the median income for a family is $44,265. Males have a median income of $33,611 versus $22,174 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,412. 6.9% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.