De Beque, Colorado
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De Beque is a town located in Mesa County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 451. The town sits along the north side of the Colorado River upstream from De Beque Canyon in a small ranching valley approximately 25 miles (40 km) northeast and upstream from Grand Junction. It is located across the river from Interstate 70, a small hill overlooking the river. The town consists of a small grid, including a historic downtown featuring a town hall, a tavern, and several commercial businesss in historic structures. The surrounding streets include houses, several churches, and a school. The southwest edge of the Roan Cliffs overlook the town from the northeast. Much of the surrounding area in the mountains is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management.
The town is located in a region historically occupied by the Ute people. White settlers arrived in the region in 1880. The town is named for Dr. W.A.E. De Beque who explored the area with several companions in 1884 while looking for a suitable location for a ranch. The town was historically a location where wild horses, prevalent in the surrounding lands, were rounded up and sold. The history of the town is commemorated with a mustang statue near the town hall. In August 2001, the Town Board of Trustees designated De Beque as the only Wild Horse Sanctuary City in the West. The town now undertakes projects in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, as well as private organizations, to protect the remaining wild horses and burros in the area. Such measures include the construction of a public corral for the care of injured and sick mustangs and burros awaiting adoption. Each August the town hosts a "Wild Horse Days" featuring a rodeo and parade.
Geography
COMap-doton-DeBeque.PNG
Location of DeBeque, Colorado
De Beque is located at 39°20'0" North, 108°12'51" West (39.333462, -108.214290)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.9 km² (0.4 mi²). 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.11% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 451 people, 167 households, and 130 families residing in the town. The population density is 544.2/km² (1,411.7/mi²). There are 188 housing units at an average density of 226.8/km² (588.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.45% White, 0.00% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 2.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 167 households out of which 37.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% are married couples living together, 12.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% are non-families. 18.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.70 and the average family size is 3.05.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $29,632, and the median income for a family is $31,042. Males have a median income of $28,750 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,181. 7.3% of the population and 6.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.8% of those under the age of 18 and 3.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Town of De Beque site (http://www.debeque.org/)